Effects of short-chain galacto-and long-chain fructooligosaccharides on systemic and local immune status during pregnancy

A. Hogenkamp, N. Van Vlies, S. Thijssen, G. Dingjan, K. Knipping, J. Garssen, L. Knippels

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:Non-digestible carbohydrates can positively influence health via various mechanisms, but little is known about their effects on the immune system during pregnancy. In this study, immune responses at the fetomaternal interface as well as systemic immune parameters were investigated in mice supplemented with a specific oligosaccharide mixture. METHODS: Pregnant and non-pregnant mice were fed either a control diet or a diet supplemented with shortchain galacto- and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS; ratio 9:1). 7 days after mating mice were vaccinated with Influvac. Delayed-type hypersensitivity responses (DTH) were induced on day 17 and measured on day 18. Afterwards, mice were sacrificed and systemic and local immune parameters were analysed. RESULTS: We observed that scGOS/lcFOS supplementation improved the DTH in non-pregnant mice, but this effect was not seen in pregnant mice. In contrast, scGOS/lcFOS supplementation did not affect cytokine production by Influvac-stimulated whole blood cells from non-pregnant mice, whereas whole blood cells from pregnant scGOS/lcFOS supplemented mice produced more IL-4 and IL-2 compared to pregnant control mice. Flow cytometric analysis of maternal splenocytes showed no differences in (activated) T-cell populations. However, in the placentas of scGOS/lcFOS supplemented mice the number of alternatively activated macrophages was increased compared to controls. Furthermore, an increase in splenic IL-10 expression was found in scGOS/lcFOS fed mice as well as their foetuses, as compared to non-supplemented mice and their foetuses. CONCLUSION: In non-pregnant mice the DTH, as a readout for Th1-dependent cellular immunity, is increased after scGOS/lcFOS supplementation. In contrast, scGOS/lcFOS supplementation appears to elicit a more tolerogenic immune reaction in pregnant mice.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)48
Number of pages1
JournalJournal of Reproductive Immunology
Volume94
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2012

Keywords

  • influenza vaccine
  • interleukin 2
  • carbohydrate
  • fructose oligosaccharide
  • interleukin 4
  • interleukin 10
  • oligosaccharide
  • immunology
  • society
  • pregnancy
  • immune status
  • mouse
  • supplementation
  • blood cell
  • parameters
  • blood
  • fetus
  • diet
  • T lymphocyte
  • delayed hypersensitivity
  • mating
  • immune response
  • immunity
  • cellular immunity
  • immune system
  • cytokine production
  • macrophage
  • placenta
  • cell population
  • health

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