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Brain effects of gestating germ-free persist in mouse neonates despite acquisition of a microbiota at birth

Authors :
Alexandra Castillo-Ruiz
Aviva Gars
Hannah Sturgeon
Nicole M. Ronczkowski
Dhanya N. Pyaram
Charlène J. G. Dauriat
Benoit Chassaing
Nancy G. Forger
Source :
Frontiers in Neuroscience, Vol 17 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2023.

Abstract

At birth, mammals experience a massive colonization by microorganisms. We previously reported that newborn mice gestated and born germ-free (GF) have increased microglial labeling and alterations in developmental neuronal cell death in the hippocampus and hypothalamus, as well as greater forebrain volume and body weight when compared to conventionally colonized (CC) mice. To test whether these effects are solely due to differences in postnatal microbial exposure, or instead may be programmed in utero, we cross-fostered GF newborns immediately after birth to CC dams (GF→CC) and compared them to offspring fostered within the same microbiota status (CC→CC, GF→GF). Because key developmental events (including microglial colonization and neuronal cell death) shape the brain during the first postnatal week, we collected brains on postnatal day (P) 7. To track gut bacterial colonization, colonic content was also collected and subjected to 16S rRNA qPCR and Illumina sequencing. In the brains of GF→GF mice, we replicated most of the effects seen previously in GF mice. Interestingly, the GF brain phenotype persisted in GF→CC offspring for almost all measures. In contrast, total bacterial load did not differ between the CC→CC and GF→CC groups on P7, and bacterial community composition was also very similar, with a few exceptions. Thus, GF→CC offspring had altered brain development during at least the first 7 days after birth despite a largely normal microbiota. This suggests that prenatal influences of gestating in an altered microbial environment programs neonatal brain development.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1662453X
Volume :
17
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Neuroscience
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.1ae260aa47947219c7d2359ebd2abbc
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1130347