T‐Cell Populations in Infancy After Maternal Probiotic Supplementation to Prevent Atopic Dermatitis

2026 · Clinical and Translational Allergy · View source →

AI-generated summary of what this paper reports

A randomized trial of maternal probiotic supplementation (LGG, Bb-12, La-5) from 36 weeks pregnancy found no statistically significant T-cell population differences in offspring at 10 days or 2 years. A previously observed reduction in Th22 percentage at 3 months did not persist, suggesting it may not be the primary mechanism for atopic dermatitis prevention.

BACKGROUND: In the randomised, controlled study Probiotics in the Prevention of Allergy amongst Children in Trondheim (ProPACT), maternal probiotics given from 36 weeks pregnancy until 3 months post-delivery while breastfeeding reduced atopic dermatitis (AD) in the offspring. Previous analysis of T helper (Th) subsets indicated that the preventive effect may be partially mediated through reduced Th22 percentage at 3 months of age. OBJECTIVE: To examine the longitudinal effects of maternal probiotics on Th1, Th2, Th17, Th22, and regulatory T cells (Treg) in offspring at 10 days and 2 years of age compared to the previously published 3 months results. METHODS: Pregnant women (n = 415) were randomised to take probiotic milk (Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb-12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5) or placebo, and their offspring were assessed for AD at 2 years. We analysed the children's blood collected at 10 days (n = 112) and 2 years (n = 156) for Treg and Th subsets using flow cytometry and included the results from the previously analysed 3 months samples (n = 76) in the same study to compare the three timepoints using linear mixed models. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between T cell populations of the children in the probiotics and placebo groups at 10 days and 2 years. CONCLUSION: We previously observed reduced Th22 percentage in the probiotics group at 3 months. However, since the effect was not seen earlier and did not last, it may not be the main reason for AD prevention.

Linked strains How central each strain is to this paper: a main subject, one of several organisms studied, or a passing mention. How we classify this →

Lactobacillus acidophilus Primary Bifidobacterium animalis Secondary Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus Secondary Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus Secondary Lactobacillus acidophilus Secondary

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