Maternal Bacillus probiotic regulates offspring growth and immunity via spleen IGF-1/mTOR and FOXO1/IL-10 pathways
Tahany Saleh Aldayel1, Heba M A Abdelrazek2, Nadia A El-Fahla3
1Department of Health Sciences, Clinical Nutrition, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, PO Box 84428, 11671, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Maternal probiotic (Bacillus clausii) supplementation during pregnancy, especially early on, significantly boosted offspring growth and immune development. Early probiotic exposure enhanced spleen health and key immune markers in young mice.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Maternal probiotic administration may influence offspring's microbial balance, growth, and immune system development.
- Understanding the optimal timing for maternal probiotic intervention is crucial for maximizing benefits.
- Early life immune programming is critical for long-term health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of maternal *Bacillus clausii* supplementation during different pregnancy stages on male offspring's growth and immune development at 28 days old.
- To investigate the effects on hematological profiles, serum immune factors, spleen characteristics, and specific molecular markers (mTOR, IGF-1, FOXO1).
Main Methods:
- Pregnant mice received *Bacillus clausii* (1x10^9 CFU) on gestational days 0, 8, or 16, alongside a control group.
- Offspring were assessed for body weight, spleen weight, spleen somatic index (SSI), hematology, and serum levels of GH, IGF-1, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10, IgA, and IgG.
- Spleens were analyzed for mTOR expression (qPCR, ELISA), and immunohistochemical staining for IGF-1 and FOXO1.
Main Results:
- Maternal probiotic administration on gestational day 0 (GD0 group) significantly increased offspring body weight, spleen weight, SSI, GH, IGF-1, IL-10, IgA, and IgG levels.
- The GD0 group exhibited decreased TNF-α and IFN-γ levels, indicating a shift towards a more regulated immune response.
- Enhanced splenic immune cell structure, elevated IGF-1, and reduced FOXO1 expression were observed in the GD0 group, suggesting improved immune system remodeling.
Conclusions:
- Early maternal probiotic supplementation (*Bacillus clausii* on GD0) positively modulates offspring growth and immune system development.
- This intervention enhances lymphocyte activity and promotes splenic immune system remodeling, crucial for early-life immune programming.
- Maternal probiotic administration represents a promising strategy for optimizing offspring immune health.
Abstract:
Administering Bacilli clausii as probiotics during the maternal period may enhance microbial balance and positively impact offspring growth and immune health. This study evaluated the influence of Bacillus given to pregnant mice on the growth and immune development of their male albino offspring at 28 days old. Twenty-four Swiss albino mice (16 females and 8 males) were mated and assigned to four groups. Sixteen pregnant mice were divided into four groups (n = 4/group). The control group received a standard diet with distilled water, while the other three groups received daily doses of Bacilli (1.25 mL at 1 × 10^9 CFU) at different pregnancy stages: the second group on gestational day (GD) 0, the third on GD 8, and the fourth on GD 16. At 28 days after birth, male offspring were weighed, and blood samples were collected. The EDTA samples were used for hematological profiles, while serum samples were analyzed for growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and immunoglobulins (IgA and IgG). Spleens were weighed and analyzed for mTOR using qPCR, ELISA, and histological analysis and immunohistochemical staining for IGF-1 and FOXO1 markers. The GD0 group showed significant increases in body weight, spleen weight, spleen somatic index (SSI), GH, IGF-1, IL-10, IgA, and IgG levels, as well as mTOR protein and transcript levels, while TNF-α and IFN-γ levels decreased. Macroscopic analysis revealed a well-structured white pulp containing aggregated lymphocytes. Elevated levels of IGF-1 expression were observed, while FOXO1 expression was decreased. These findings indicate that early maternal probiotic supplementation improves lymphocyte activity and facilitates the remodeling of the splenic immune system in offspring and thus represents an innovative approach to immune programming during early life.
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