Maternal breast milk microbiota and immune markers in relation to subsequent development of celiac disease in offspring

Abstract

The potential impact of the composition of maternal breast milk is poorly known in children who develop celiac disease (CD). The aim of our study was to compare the microbiota composition and the concentrations of immune markers in breast milk from mothers whose offspring carried the genetic predisposition to CD, and whether they did or did not develop CD during follow-up for the first 3 years of life. Maternal breast milk samples [CD children (n = 6) and healthy children (n = 18)] were collected 3 months after delivery. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to measure TGF-β1, TGF-β2, sIgA, MFG-E8 and sCD14. For microbiota analysis, next generation (Illumina) sequencing, real-time PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis were used. Phylotype abundance and the Shannon ‘H’ diversity index were significantly higher in breast milk samples in the CD group. There was higher prevalence of the phyla Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria, the classes Clostridia and Fusobacteriia, and the genera Leptotrichia, Anaerococcus, Sphingomonas, Actynomyces and Akkermansia in the CD group. The immunological markers were differently associated with some Gram-negative bacterial genera and species (Chryseobacterium, Sphingobium) as well as Gram-positive species (Lactobacillusreuteri, Bifidobacteriumanimalis). In conclusion, the microbiota in breast milk from mothers of genetically predisposed offspring who presented CD showed a higher bacterial phylotype abundance and diversity, as well as a different bacterial composition, as compared with the mothers of unaffected offspring. These immune markers showed some associations with bacterial composition and may influence the risk for development of CD beyond early childhood.

The impact of faecal diversion on the gut microbiome: a systematic review

“…Tominaga et al (2021b) found increased levels of Corynebacterium (p<0.01), Peptoniphilus (p<0.05), Anaerococcus (p<0.05) and Porphyromonas (p<0.01). These genera have been associated with haematogenous or tissue infections when translocated or overgrown (Brown et al, 2014; Tidjani Alou et al, 2016; Sędzikowska and Szablewski, 2021; Štšepetova et al, 2022). However, their role in intestinal inflammation is less clear at this stage.…”

Early diet and the risk of coeliac disease. An update 2024 position paper by the ESPGHAN special interest group on coeliac disease

“…Since a 2023 systematic review, seven newly identified articles were considered relevant, and full papers were retrieved. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Among these, the only study contributing new data was a retrospective case-control study from Iran. 10 This study compared 186 children diagnosed with CD (mean age: 4.8 years) from a single centre with 186 non-CD controls (mean age: 4.1 years).…”

“…Since a 2023 systematic review, seven newly identified articles were considered relevant, and full papers were retrieved 4‐13 . Among these, the only study contributing new data was a retrospective case‐control study from Iran 10 .…”

The Gut Microbiome and Its Implication in the Mucosal Digestive Disorders

“…Celiac disease (CeD) is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten and related prolamins that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals [ 118 ]. Genetic susceptibility and gluten ingestion do not have the capacity of inducing the disease alone, suggesting that several additional factors might interfere with disease pathogenesis [ 119 , 120 , 121 ]. Intestinal dysbiosis in CeD has been the subject of different studies as the major environmental factor involved in CeD underlying mechanisms.…”