Mobile genetic elements from the maternal microbiome shape infant gut microbial assembly and metabolism

: Vatanen Tommi, Jabbar Karolina S., Ruohtula Terhi, Honkanen Jarno, Avila-Pacheco Julian, Siljander Heli, Stražar Martin, Oikarinen Sami, Hyöty Heikki, Ilonen Jorma, Mitchell Caroline M., Yassour Moran, Virtanen Suvi M., Clish Clary B., Plichta Damian R., Vlamakis Hera, Knip Mikael, Xavier Ramnik J.

Publisher: CELL PRESS

: 2022

: Cell

: CELL

: 185

: 26

: 4921

: 4936

: 32

: 0092-8674

: 1097-4172

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2022.11.023

: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867422014672?via%3Dihub

The perinatal period represents a critical window for cognitive and immune system development, promoted by maternal and infant gut microbiomes and their metabolites. Here, we tracked the co-development of mi-crobiomes and metabolomes from late pregnancy to 1 year of age using longitudinal multi-omics data from a cohort of 70 mother-infant dyads. We discovered large-scale mother-to-infant interspecies transfer of mobile genetic elements, frequently involving genes associated with diet-related adaptations. Infant gut metabo-lomes were less diverse than maternal but featured hundreds of unique metabolites and microbe-metabolite associations not detected in mothers. Metabolomes and serum cytokine signatures of infants who received regular-but not extensively hydrolyzed-formula were distinct from those of exclusively breastfed infants. Taken together, our integrative analysis expands the concept of vertical transmission of the gut microbiome and provides original insights into the development of maternal and infant microbiomes and metabolomes during late pregnancy and early life.