Tailored Combinations of Human Milk Oligosaccharides Modulate the Immune Response in an In Vitro Model of Intestinal Inflammation.

Infants rely on their developing immune system and the protective components of breast milk to defend against bacterial and viral pathogens, as well as immune disorders such as food allergies, prior to the introduction of solid foods. When breastfeeding is not feasible, fortified infant formula will most frequently be offered, usually based on a cow's milk-based substitute. The current study aimed to explore the immunomodulatory effects of combinations of commercially available human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs).

Infant Fecal Fermentation Metabolites of Osteopontin and 2'-Fucosyllactose Support Intestinal Barrier Function.

In this study, we investigated the effects of infant fecal fermentation-derived metabolites of digested osteopontin (OPN) and 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), either individually or in combination, on intestinal barrier function using a Caco-2/HT-29 coculture cell model. Our results suggested that the OPN/2'-FL (1:36-1:3) cofermentation metabolites improved epithelial barrier integrity by supporting the mRNA and protein expression of occludin, claudin-1, claudin-2, ZO-1, and ZO-2. All of the OPN/2'-FL treatments decreased the production of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, while the OPN/2'-FL ratio increased IL-10 production by inhibiting activation of the MyD88/IκB-α/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Osteopontin associated Bifidobacterium bifidum microencapsulation modulates infant fecal fermentation and gut microbiota development.

Probiotic supplementation is an effective method for improving infant gut health, and probiotic encapsulation can enhance probiotic viability under adverse environmental conditions while ensuring an adequate amount of probiotic is delivered to the target site to confer a health benefit for the host. In this study, Bifidobacterium bifidum R0071 was microencapsulated using pectin or alginate, combined bovine milk osteopontin (OPN) as an excipient during the microencapsulation process. The microencapsulated probiotics were subjected to in vitro simulated infant gastrointestinal digestion and a fecal fermentation model to assess survival capacity and their impact on gas and organic acid production, as well as the development of gut microbiota.

Biotics as novel therapeutics in targeting signs of skin ageing via the gut-skin axis.

Skin ageing is a phenomenon resulting from the aggregative changes to skin structure and function and is clinically manifested by physical features such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, elastosis, telangiectasia, and deterioration of skin barrier integrity. One of the main drivers of skin ageing, UV radiation, negatively influences the homeostasis of cells and tissues comprising the skin by triggering production of immune-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as a various hormones and neuropeptides. Interestingly, an established link between the gut and the skin coined the 'gut-skin axis' has been demonstrated, with dysbiosis and gut barrier dysfunction frequently observed in certain inflammatory skin conditions and more recently, implicated in skin ageing.

Infant Milk Formula Enriched in Dairy Cream Brings Its Digestibility Closer to Human Milk and Supports Intestinal Health in Pre-Clinical Studies.

Human breast milk (HBM) is the "gold standard" for infant nutrition. When breast milk is insufficient or unavailable, infant milk formula (IMF) can provide a safe and nutritious alternative. However, IMFs differ considerably from HBM in composition and health function.

HMO-primed bifidobacteria exhibit enhanced ability to adhere to intestinal epithelial cells.

The ability of gut commensals to adhere to the intestinal epithelium can play a key role in influencing the composition of the gut microbiota. Bifidobacteria are associated with a multitude of health benefits and are one of the most widely used probiotics for humans. Enhanced bifidobacterial adhesion may increase host-microbe, microbe-nutrient, and/or microbe-microbe interactions, thereby enabling consolidated health benefits to the host.

Molecular strategies for the utilisation of human milk oligosaccharides by infant gut-associated bacteria.

A number of bacterial species are found in high abundance in the faeces of healthy breast-fed infants, an occurrence that is understood to be, at least in part, due to the ability of these bacteria to metabolize human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). HMOs are the third most abundant component of human milk after lactose and lipids, and represent complex sugars which possess unique structural diversity and are resistant to infant gastrointestinal digestion. Thus, these sugars reach the infant distal intestine intact, thereby serving as a fermentable substrate for specific intestinal microbes, including Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and especially infant-associated Bifidobacterium spp.

In Vitro Infant Fecal Fermentation Characteristics of Human Milk Oligosaccharides Were Controlled by Initial Microbiota Composition More than Chemical Structure.

Scope: Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), multifunctional glycans naturally present in human milk, are known to contribute to the infant's microbiota and immune system development. However, the molecular specificity of HMOs on microbiota and associated fermentation is not yet fully understood, and is important for the development of infant formula optimum functionality.

Methods And Results: In vitro fermentation is carried out on structurally different HMOs with infant fecal inocula dominated by Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, and Bacteroides.

In vitro fermentation of human milk oligosaccharides by individual Bifidobacterium longum-dominant infant fecal inocula.

This study investigated the fermentation characteristics and microbial responses of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) by individual Bifidobacterium longum-dominant infant fecal microbiota. Fucosylated neutral HMOs (2'-fucosyllactose, 2'-FL; 3-fucosyllactose, 3-FL), sialylated HMOs (3'-sialyllactose, 3'-SL; 6'-sialyllactose, 6'-SL), and non-fucosylated neutral HMOs (Lacto-N-tetraose, LNT; Lacto-N-neotetraose, LNnT) were fermented in vitro, with fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS) as positive controls. The fermentation rate was not affected by the molecular specificity of HMOs.

Human milk oligosaccharide-sharing by a consortium of infant derived Bifidobacterium species.

Bifidobacteria are associated with a host of health benefits and are typically dominant in the gut microbiota of healthy, breast-fed infants. A key adaptation, facilitating the establishment of these species, is their ability to consume particular sugars, known as human milk oligosaccharides (HMO), which are abundantly found in breastmilk. In the current study, we aimed to characterise the co-operative metabolism of four commercial infant-derived bifidobacteria (Bifidobacterium bifidum R0071, Bifidobacterium breve M-16V, Bifidobacterium infantis R0033, and Bifidobacterium infantis M-63) when grown on HMO.

Comparative Structural and Compositional Analyses of Cow, Buffalo, Goat and Sheep Cream.

Factors affecting milk and milk fraction composition, such as cream, are poorly understood, with most research and human health application associated with cow cream. In this study, proteomic and lipidomic analyses were performed on cow, goat, sheep and (from now on referred to as buffalo), bulk milk cream samples. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to determine the composition, including protein, lipid and their glycoconjugates, and the structure of the milk fat globules.

Human milk oligosaccharides: Shaping the infant gut microbiota and supporting health.

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) are complex sugars which are found in breast milk at significant concentrations and with unique structural diversity. These sugars are the fourth most abundant component of human milk after water, lipids, and lactose and yet provide no direct nutritional value to the infant. Recent research has highlighted that HMOs have various functional roles to play in infant development.

2'-fucosyllactose inhibits imiquimod-induced psoriasis in mice by regulating Th17 cell response via the STAT3 signaling pathway.

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory cutaneous disorder with Th17 cells and Th17-related cytokines playing an important role in its development. 2'-FL (2'-fucosyllactose), which makes up about 30% of all HMOs (human milk oligosaccharides) in blood type secretor positive maternal milk, plays an essential role in supporting aspects of immune development and regulation. To explore the immunomodulatory effect of 2'-FL in psoriasis, we employed the imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like mouse model.

Oligosaccharides Isolated from MGO™ Manuka Honey Inhibit the Adhesion of , O157:H7 and to Human HT-29 cells.

Historically, honey is known for its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities and its use for treatment of wound infections. Although this practice has been in place for millennia, little information exists regarding which manuka honey components contribute to the protective nature of this product. Given that sugar accounts for over 80% of honey and up to 25% of this sugar is composed of oligosaccharides, we have investigated the anti-infective activity of manuka honey oligosaccharides against a range of pathogens.

Precision Nutrition and the Microbiome Part II: Potential Opportunities and Pathways to Commercialisation.

Modulation of the human gut microbiota through probiotics, prebiotics and dietary fibre are recognised strategies to improve health and prevent disease. Yet we are only beginning to understand the impact of these interventions on the gut microbiota and the physiological consequences for the human host, thus forging the way towards evidence-based scientific validation. However, in many studies a percentage of participants can be defined as 'non-responders' and scientists are beginning to unravel what differentiates these from 'responders;' and it is now clear that an individual's baseline microbiota can influence an individual's response.

Precision Nutrition and the Microbiome, Part I: Current State of the Science.

The gut microbiota is a highly complex community which evolves and adapts to its host over a lifetime. It has been described as a virtual organ owing to the myriad of functions it performs, including the production of bioactive metabolites, regulation of immunity, energy homeostasis and protection against pathogens. These activities are dependent on the quantity and quality of the microbiota alongside its metabolic potential, which are dictated by a number of factors, including diet and host genetics.

Bovine colostrum-driven modulation of intestinal epithelial cells for increased commensal colonisation.

Nutritional intake may influence the intestinal epithelial glycome and in turn the available attachment sites for bacteria. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that bovine colostrum may influence the intestinal cell surface and in turn the attachment of commensal organisms. Human HT-29 intestinal cells were exposed to a bovine colostrum fraction (BCF) rich in free oligosaccharides.

The Role of Oligosaccharides in Host-Microbial Interactions for Human Health.

Milk oligosaccharides have many associated bioactivities which can contribute to human health and offer protective properties to the host. Such bioactivities include anti-infective properties whereby oligosaccharides interact with bacterial cells and prevent adhesion to the host and subsequent colonization. Milk oligosaccharides have also been shown to alter the glycosylation of intestinal cells, leading to a reduction in pathogenic colonization.

Temporal alterations in the bovine buttermilk glycome from parturition to milk maturation.

The bovine milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) has many associated biological activities, many of which are linked with specific carbohydrate structures of MFGM glycoconjugates. Bovine buttermilk is a commercially viable source of MFGM and is an under-valued by-product of butter making. However, the changes in buttermilk glycosylation over the course of lactation have not been extensively investigated.

In vitro assessment of marine Bacillus for use as livestock probiotics.

Six antimicrobial-producing seaweed-derived Bacillus strains were evaluated in vitro as animal probiotics, in comparison to two Bacillus from an EU-authorized animal probiotic product. Antimicrobial activity was demonstrated on solid media against porcine Salmonella and E. coli.

A comparative study of free oligosaccharides in the milk of domestic animals.

The present study was conducted to obtain a comprehensive overview of oligosaccharides present in the milk of a variety of important domestic animals including cows, goats, sheep, pigs, horses and dromedary camels. Using an analytical workflow that included ultra-performance liquid chromatography-hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight MS, detailed oligosaccharide libraries were established. The partial or full characterisation of the neutral/fucosylated, phosphorylated and sialylated structures was facilitated by sequencing with linkage- and sugar-specific exoglycosidases.

Transcriptional response of HT-29 intestinal epithelial cells to human and bovine milk oligosaccharides.

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) have been shown to interact directly with immune cells. However, large quantities of HMO are required for intervention or clinical studies, but these are unavailable in most cases. In this respect, bovine milk is potentially an excellent source of commercially viable analogues of these unique molecules.

Anti-infective bovine colostrum oligosaccharides: Campylobacter jejuni as a case study.

Campylobacter jejuni is the leading cause of acute bacterial infectious diarrhea in humans. Unlike in humans, C. jejuni is a commensal within the avian host.

Methodologies for screening of bacteria-carbohydrate interactions: anti-adhesive milk oligosaccharides as a case study.

Many studies have demonstrated the capacity of glycan-based compounds to disrupt microbial binding to mucosal epithelia. Therefore, oligosaccharides have potential application in the prevention of certain bacterial diseases. However, current screening methods for the identification of anti-adhesive oligosaccharides have limitations: they are time-consuming and require large amounts of oligosaccharides.

Method for milk oligosaccharide profiling by 2-aminobenzamide labeling and hydrophilic interaction chromatography.

Although the properties of milk oligosaccharides have been of scientific interest for many years, their structural diversity presents a challenging analytical task. In the quest for a simple and robust technology to characterize the different oligosaccharides present in milk, we developed an analytical scheme based on their fluorescent labeling, pre-fractionation by weak anionic exchange chromatography and separation by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC)-high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HILIC relies on the hydrophilic potential of the molecule, which accounts for differences in properties such as molecular volume, lipophilic surface area, charge, composition, structure, linkage and oligosaccharide branching.