Impact of preterm microbiota on the gut-lung axis and health.

Prof. Anne-Judith Waligora-Dupriet, Inserm UMR-S1139, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Paris Cité, France

2020

Prematurity affects about 11% ofchildren, with over 1% born very preterm. These infants have immaturerespiratory, digestive, immune, and antioxidant systems, and their developmentis strongly influenced by medical and environmental factors. Very pretermneonates also show impaired bacterial colonization in both the gut and airways,placing them at increased risk for long-term health issues, includingimmune-mediated diseases.

Study Aim

To identify the link betweenearly intestinal microbiota signatures in very preterm neonates and thematuration of gut, lung, and the development of immunity, with a focus onallergy risk.

Scientific Approach

Clinical data and microbiotacomposition from the French nationwide cohort EPIPAGE 2 (very preterm neonates,GA <32 weeks). Using gnotobiotic mice: newborn germ-free mice, colonized bydifferent fecal microbiotas representative of the various bacterial patternsidentified in very premature infants, and evaluate the impact on allergiesdevelopment.

Expected Outcomes

This research proposal willafford a unique opportunity to demonstrate causal link between gut and lungmicrobiotas and long-term allergy risk in preterm infants, and identify thecritical early-life window for preventive strategies.

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Funded projects

Transmission of obesity from mother to child through microbiota transfer and impact on feeding behavior

Mother & Child Health and Nutrition

Dr. Patricia Parnet, UMR1280, Nantes University, France

Studies suggest that obesity could be ‘transmitted’ frommother to child. Since maternal microbiota is the main determinant of childintestine colonization, the transmission of a maternal microbiota"signature" of obesity to her child during perinatal period, couldpotentially affect his metabolism.

NourishMinds: Unraveling the Impact of Early-Life High-Sugar Diets on Neuro-Cognitive Development and Gut-Brain Pathways in Children

Brain Development

Dr. Harriet Schellekens, APC Microbiome, University College Cork, Ireland

How can we better cultivate healthy eating behaviour in our children?Unhealthy eating patterns, characterized by excessive consumption of highly palatable (high-sugar and high-fat) processed foods, are alarmingly prevalent among children globally. A poor early-life diet profoundly impacts on the metabolic programming and infant brain development, heightening the risk of obesity later in life, and associated cognitive impairment, including attention, executive function, and decision making.

Exploring Gut-Brain Connections: Investigating Modifiable Microbial Determinants of Neurodevelopment in Mid-Childhood: A Twin Study Approach

Brain Development

Prof. Jeffrey Craig, Deakin University, Autralia

Human neurodevelopment occurs from early pregnancy through to early adulthood. During this time, there are several windows in which the developing brain is sensitive to environmental influence. Such environments can affect the senses, language, learning, memory, and higher-order thinking.We know that the mix of beneficial organisms in our gut, the microbiome, plays a role in brain development up to at least age three. However, it is not known whether the microbiome has a lasting impact on brain development beyond infancy.

Discover all funded projects