2′-Fucosyllactose and 3′-Sialyllactose Reduce Mortality in Neonatal Enteroaggregative <i>Escherichia coli</i> Infection by Improving the Construction of Intestinal Mucosal Immunity
Yaqiong Liu, Fang Wu, Ming Zhang, Yutong Jin, Xinlei Yuan, Yanling Hao, Lishui Chen, Bing Fang
Abstract
Human milk oligosaccharides could prevent pathogenic bacterial infections in neonates; however, direct in vivo anti-infection evidence was still lacking. Here, we systematically evaluated the effects of 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) and 3′-sialyllactose (3′-SL) on the structural development and functional maturation in neonates and their defense against enteroaggregative Escherichia coli infection. It was found that supplementation with 2′-FL and 3′-SL improved the resistance of weaned mice to enteroaggregative E. coli . The mechanism related to the promotion of 2′-FL and 3′-SL in the maturation of intestinal mucosal immunity by promoting stem cell differentiation, mucus layer integrity, and tight junction formation. 2′-FL and 3′-SL significantly increased the ratio of Th1 and Treg cells in the lamina propria, contents of short-chain fatty acids, as well as the serum content of IgA. This study lays a theoretical basis for the application of 2′-FL and 3′-SL in infant formula, as well as the development of intestinal health products.