<i>Bacillus subtilis</i>-Derived Surfactin Alleviates Offspring Intestinal Inflammatory Injuries Through Breast Milk
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Enteric and diarrheal diseases pose a significant threat to infant health, highlighting the im-portance of immune defenses in early life, especially maternal protection, in establishing a robust gastrointestinal environment. Surfactin, a bioactive peptide from Bacillus subtilis, has immuno-modulatory properties, yet its influence on offspring via maternal gut interference is not fully un-derstood. The study examines the effects of maternal surfactin consumption on breast milk's im-munological properties and its consequent effects on neonatal intestinal health. Findings show that pups from surfactin-supplemented dams had increased body weight, improved intestinal mor-phology with longer villus and deeper crypts, upregulation of genes related to mucins and anti-microbial peptides, and an increase in IgA+ and CD3+ T cells within the intestinal mucosa. Further, cross-fostering experiments suggested that pups nursed by surfactin-supplemented dams gained more weight, had less intestinal damage, lower inflammation, and oxidative stress levels induced by Salmonella typhimurium, indicating the immunological benefits of surfactin conveyed through breast milk. Additionally, the expression of proinflammatory factors including nitric oxide, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1, and ROS induced by LPS in macrophages was significantly inhibited with milk from surfactin-supplemented dams (MSD) treatment. Interestingly, MSD induced a shift in macrophage polarization from pro-inflammatory (M1-like) to anti-inflammatory (M2-like), evidenced by de-creased expression of IL-12p40, iNOS, and increased CD206, TGF-β, and Arg-1. Mechanically, surfactin improved the content of anti-inflammatory factors IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β in breast milk. The research contributes to understanding how maternal interference can modulate breast milk composition, influence infant gastrointestinal development and immunity, and provide nutritional strategy insights.