Rezai Tamim, Fell-Hakai Shani, Guleria Shalini, Toldi Gergely
Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand.
Nutrients. 2024 Dec 19;16(24):4373. doi: 10.3390/nu16244373.
The neonatal period is a critical phase for the development of the intestinal immune system, marked by rapid adaptation to the external environment and unique nutritional demands. Breast milk plays a pivotal role in this transition, yet the mechanisms by which it influences neonatal mucosal immunity remain unclear. This review examines the potential mechanisms by which cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in breast milk may impact neonatal immune development, particularly through Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) signalling and gut microbiota interactions. We propose that cfDNA in breast milk interacts with TLR9 on the apical surface of neonatal intestinal epithelial cells, potentially serving as an initial anti-inflammatory stimulus before the establishment of commensal bacteria. This hypothesis is supported by the high concentration and stability of cfDNA in breast milk, as well as the known activation of TLR9 by mitochondrial DNA in breast milk. The review emphasises the need for further empirical research to validate these interactions and their implications for neonatal health, suggesting that understanding these dynamics could lead to improved strategies for neonatal care and disease prevention.
新生儿期是肠道免疫系统发育的关键阶段，其特点是快速适应外部环境和独特的营养需求。母乳在这一转变过程中起着关键作用，但其影响新生儿黏膜免疫的机制尚不清楚。本综述探讨了母乳中游离DNA（cfDNA）可能影响新生儿免疫发育的潜在机制，特别是通过Toll样受体9（TLR9）信号传导和肠道微生物群相互作用。我们提出，母乳中的cfDNA与新生儿肠道上皮细胞顶端表面的TLR9相互作用，可能在共生细菌建立之前作为一种初始抗炎刺激。母乳中cfDNA的高浓度和稳定性，以及母乳中线粒体DNA对TLR9的已知激活作用，支持了这一假设。该综述强调需要进一步的实证研究来验证这些相互作用及其对新生儿健康的影响，表明了解这些动态变化可能会带来改善新生儿护理和疾病预防的策略。
