The effect of proper development of mucosal immune system during the infancy on the disease susceptibility in the future

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K14977
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 42020:Veterinary medical science-related
• Research Institution: Wakayama Medical University (2022); Keio University (2021)
• Principal Investigator: Nakamura Yutaka 和歌山県立医科大学, 薬学部, 助教 (60824456)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 乳児期 / 乳児免疫 / DOHaD / M細胞 / 粘膜免疫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We analyzed the relationship between the development of mucosal immune systems during infancy and the susceptibility in adults, mainly focusing on the breastmilk-derived factor. During infancy, the number of microfold (M) cells, specialized epithelial cells for antigen uptake from the mucosal lumen, is lower than in adult mice. However, we found that breastfeeding from OPG-deficient mice increased the number of M cells in the WT pups. We further observed that these mice showed maturation of immune cells in Peyer's patch, represented by the increases of several cell types. Finally, these mice were more resistant to colitis. Our results suggest that breastmilk-derived OPG contributes to the development of mucosal immune systems during infancy, subsequently altering disease susceptibility in the future.

Free Research Field

粘膜免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

乳幼児期においてM細胞が減少していることは、最近の研究で報告されている。しかし、そのメカニズムは不明であった。本研究ではこうした乳幼児期におけるM細胞の抑制に母乳由来の因子が関与していることを明らかにした。さらに、こうしたM細胞の成熟は、粘膜免疫の発達と将来的な疾患感受性に影響を与えることを示した。近年、出生前後や乳児期の因子が将来的な健康に影響を与えていることが着目されている。本研究で明らかにした母乳由来因子の役割は、乳幼児期及び子供の長期的な健康維持に貢献するととが期待できる。