Effects of Lactation Lactoferrin Deficiency on Intestinal Microbiota in Different Mice Models.

Area of Science:

• Microbiome Research
• Host-Microbe Interactions
• Nutritional Immunology

Background:

• Early gut microbiota establishment is critical for host health.
• Lactoferrin (LF), found in breast milk, positively influences gut microbiota.
• The impact of lactation LF on gut microbiota in disease models is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of lactation LF deficiency on gut microbiota maturation.
• To assess changes in gut microbiota in adult disease models (obesity, colitis, depression) with lactation LF deficiency.
• To explore the role of LF in modulating gut microbiota composition and function.

Main Methods:

• Established lactation-LF-deficient mice via maternal LF knockout.
• Assessed gut microbiota maturity in LF-deficient mice relative to age.
• Analyzed gut microbiota changes in adult high-fat diet (HFD), dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) models.

Main Results:

• LF deficiency during lactation increased potentially pathogenic bacteria and disrupted microbial maturation.
• LF deficiency exacerbated gut dysbiosis in HFD, DSS, and CUMS models, altering microbial functions.
• Combined HFD and DSS models showed increased inflammation and oxidation, with LF deficiency potentially weakening the HFD-IBD association.

Conclusions:

• Lactoferrin deficiency during lactation leads to increased pathogens and impaired microbial maturation.
• This deficiency worsens gut dysbiosis in obesity, colitis, and depression models.
• Aligning gut microbiota regulation with natural maturation processes may treat dysbiosis in obesity and IBD.