Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Models to Investigate the Epithelial Barrier in Eosinophilic Esophagitis
03:23

Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Models to Investigate the Epithelial Barrier in Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Published on: May 10, 2024

Early postnatal eosinophil expansion associates with gut microbial-metabolic features and type 2 immunity in preterm

Huiyu Chen1, Yihuang Huang1, Luyang Hong1

  • 1Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center; Shanghai 201102, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University; Shanghai 201102, China.

Mucosal Immunology
|July 13, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Early eosinophil expansion in preterm infants is linked to NICU exposures and gut microbes. Specific gut bacteria and butyrate may influence this immune response, suggesting targets for future research.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal immunology
  • Microbiome research
  • Preterm infant health

Background:

  • Gut colonization, microbial metabolite production, and immune maturation are parallel processes in early life.
  • Disruptions in these processes are linked to later allergic diseases, but cellular immune patterns are not well understood.
  • Eosinophilia is common in preterm infants, offering a model to study immune responses related to exposures and gut microbial-metabolomic features.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the dynamics of eosinophil counts in preterm infants.
  • To correlate eosinophil trajectories with neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) exposures, gut microbiota, and metabolites.
  • To explore the role of specific microbial metabolites, like butyrate, in modulating immune responses.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 15,795 complete blood count (CBC) measurements from 734 preterm infants.
  • Fecal 16S rRNA gene sequencing for microbiota profiling and untargeted metabolomics.
  • Longitudinal and integrated analyses of antibiotic and feeding exposures, microbiota, and metabolites, including mouse perturbation experiments.

Main Results:

  • Eosinophils exhibited a transient postnatal peak around 3-4 weeks.
  • Higher eosinophil levels correlated with increased antibiotic exposure, delayed feeding tolerance, and persistent eosinophilia.
  • Peak eosinophil levels were inversely associated with gut microbial diversity, Clostridium abundance, and fecal short-chain fatty acids, especially butyrate.
  • Antibiotics in neonatal mice increased splenic eosinophils and type-2 immune signatures, while sodium butyrate administration modulated these responses.

Conclusions:

  • Early eosinophil expansion in preterm infants is a time-restricted immune trajectory influenced by NICU exposures and gut microbial-metabolic profiles.
  • Clostridium-butyrate signatures are identified as potential correlates of eosinophil dynamics.
  • Further mechanistic studies and outcome validation are warranted to confirm the role of these signatures.
Abstract

Keywords:
Antibiotic useEosinophilsGut microbiotaPreterm infantsShort-chain fatty acids

More Related Videos

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development08:50

A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development

Published on: June 24, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the small...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
Gut-Brain Axis01:22

Gut-Brain Axis

The gut–brain axis is a bidirectional communication system that connects the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. This interaction is mediated through multiple pathways, including the vagus nerve, hormonal signals, immune responses, and chemical messengers produced by gut microbes.Microbial Contributions to Brain FunctionGut microbiota contributes significantly to brain function by producing neuroactive compounds. These include neuroactive compounds that influence neurotransmitters such as...
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...