Maternal supplementation with Bifidobacterium breve M-16V prevents their offspring from allergic airway inflammation accelerated by the prenatal exposure to an air pollutant aerosol

PLoS One. 2020 Sep 11;15(9):e0238923. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238923. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Bifidobacterium breve M-16V is a probiotic bacterial strain with efficacy in infants achieved by suppressing T-helper type (Th) 2 immune responses and modulating the systemic Th1/Th2 balance. Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy increases asthma susceptibility in offspring. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the maternal intake of B. breve M-16V on susceptibility to asthma accelerated by prenatal exposure to air pollution. The intake of B. breve M-16V in residual oil fly ash (ROFA)-exposed pregnant mice resulted in fewer eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of neonatal mice and reduced allergic lung inflammation. The expressions of Th2 cytokines including IL-5 and IL-13 were decreased in neonatal mice from ROFA-exposed mothers fed B. breve M-16V. The analysis of fecal microbiota from neonatal mice revealed that the intake of B. breve M-16V by mothers changed the composition of fecal microbiota in neonatal mice, which resulted in a decreased population of Firmicutes. Moreover, several bacterial strains of fecal microbiota from neonatal mice had a strong correlation with Th2 cytokines and histological score. These results suggest that the maternal intake of M-16V might have beneficial effects in neonates by preventing and/or alleviating allergic reactions accelerated by prenatal exposure to air pollution.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aerosols / toxicity*
  • Air Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Asthma / etiology
  • Asthma / pathology
  • Asthma / therapy*
  • Bifidobacterium breve / physiology*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Inflammation / etiology
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / chemically induced*
  • Probiotics / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Aerosols
  • Air Pollutants