The health of a mother during pregnancy is crucial for the baby’s growth and future well-being. Recent studies in mice suggest that the maternal gut microbiome plays a key role in this process. It not only affects the baby’s immune system and brain development but now is also linked to the function of stem cells. These findings were published in Cell Stem Cell.
Researchers found that metabolites from the mother’s gut bacteria can program the stem cells of her offspring. This means that what a mother eats and the bacteria in her gut can influence the health of her child from the very start. “Stem cells are vital for growth and regeneration,” explained researcher Parag Kundu. They decided to explore how changes in the maternal microbiome could impact these important cells.
To investigate, the team adjusted the diet of pregnant mice, adding a probiotic bacterium known as Akkermansia muciniphila. After the pups were born, they studied the stem cells in their brains and intestines. They found that pups from mothers who consumed this bacterium had more neurons and greater numbers of intestinal stem cells compared to those from mothers who did not. This change in stem cell characteristics lasted even after the pups were fostered by regular mice, highlighting the lasting impact of maternal health.
The researchers were surprised by these findings because stem cells are generally considered stable and unchanging. To see if these changes had long-term effects, they observed the pups when they reached 10 months old—considered middle-aged for mice. The pups from the Akkermansia-fed mothers continued to show increased neurogenesis and more intestinal stem cells.
The study also tested the behavior of the two-month-old pups. Those from probiotic-fed mothers were more curious and showed less anxiety. Additionally, when the researchers induced colitis, pups from the healthy microbiome showed faster recovery by regenerating intestinal cells more quickly.
To better understand these effects, the scientists analyzed the gut bacteria of both groups of mothers and discovered significant differences. The mothers consuming Akkermansia had a richer microbiota and produced different metabolites, suggesting a heightened metabolic state. This included higher levels of beneficial short-chain fatty acids in their blood.
Following this, the team hypothesized that metabolites from the mother might reshape the offspring’s stem cells. They conducted experiments using brain and intestinal organoids—miniature models of these organs—and found that those treated with serum from Akkermansia-fed mothers showed increased cell growth.
To further clarify the connection, RNA sequencing on the offspring’s stem cells revealed increased activity in genes that govern cell growth. Notably, blocking a specific growth pathway during pregnancy eliminated the beneficial effects of the maternal microbiome on the pups’ stem cells.
Maternal and child health expert Liza Konnikova expressed excitement about this research, as it adds evidence to the long-held idea that a mother’s microbiome impacts her child. While it’s challenging to prove this in humans, confirming these findings could revolutionize approaches to maternal and child health.
Looking ahead, Kundu’s team plans to explore how these findings apply to humans by transplanting microbiota from healthy pregnant individuals into germ-free mice. This research could open up new paths for understanding and improving child health right from the start.
