Maternal-infant probiotic transmission mitigates early-life stress-induced autism in mice

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Microbiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is influenced by genetic and environmental factors, posing challenges for prevention and treatment.
• Maternal-infant gut microbiota is implicated in ASD, but preventive strategies targeting maternal microbiota are underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of prenatal probiotic intervention in preventing autistic-like behaviors in offspring.
• To explore the mechanisms underlying probiotic-mediated prevention, including gut microbiota transmission and immune modulation.

Main Methods:

• Mice models were used to assess the effects of prenatal probiotic intake on maternal separation-induced autistic-like behaviors.
• Specific PCR primers and cross-fostering experiments were employed to trace probiotic transmission.
• Gut microbiota composition, peripheral inflammation (Th17), neuroinflammation, and hypermyelination were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Prenatal probiotic intake prevented autistic-like behaviors without affecting embryonic neurodevelopment.
• Probiotics were vertically transmitted from mother to offspring, primarily via fecal/vaginal contamination.
• Probiotic colonization enhanced resilience to stress, reduced pathogenic gut microbes, suppressed Th17-mediated inflammation, and inhibited hypermyelination and neuroinflammation.

Conclusions:

• Early probiotic colonization via maternal transmission is a promising strategy for autism prevention.
• Prenatal probiotic interventions may mitigate neuroinflammation and hypermyelination associated with systemic inflammation.
• The maternal-infant microbiota transmission window is critical for autism prevention, with significant clinical potential for probiotics.