Human milk oligosaccharides are associated with maternal genetics and respiratory health of human milk-fed children

Amirthagowri Ambalavanan, Le Chang, Jihoon Choi, Yang Zhang, Sara A. Stickley, Zhi Y. Fang, Kozeta Miliku, Bianca Robertson, Chloe Yonemitsu, Stuart E. Turvey, Piushkumar J. Mandhane, Elinor Simons, Theo J. Moraes, Sonia S. Anand, Guillaume Paré, Janet E. Williams, Brenda M. Murdoch, Gloria E. Otoo, Samwel Mbugua, Elizabeth W. Kamau-MbuthiaEgidioh W. Kamundia, Debela K. Gindola, Juan M. Rodriguez, Rossina G. Pareja, Daniel W. Sellen, Sophie E. Moore, Andrew M. Prentice, James A. Foster, Linda J. Kvist, Holly L. Neibergs, Mark A. McGuire, Michelle K. McGuire, Courtney L. Meehan, Malcolm R. Sears, Padmaja Subbarao, Meghan B. Azad, Lars Bode, Qingling Duan

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Abstract

Breastfeeding provides many health benefits, but its impact on respiratory health remains unclear. This study addresses the complex and dynamic nature of the mother-milk-infant triad by investigating maternal genomic factors regulating human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), and their associations with respiratory health among human milk-fed infants. Nineteen HMOs are quantified from 980 mothers of the CHILD Cohort Study. Genome-wide association studies identify HMO-associated loci on chromosome 19p13.3 and 19q13.33 (lowest P = 2.4e–118), spanning several fucosyltransferase (FUT) genes. We identify novel associations on chromosome 3q27.3 for 6′-sialyllactose (P = 2.2e–9) in the sialyltransferase (ST6GAL1) gene. These, plus additional associations on chromosomes 7q21.32, 7q31.32 and 13q33.3, are replicated in the independent INSPIRE Cohort. Moreover, gene-environment interaction analyses suggest that fucosylated HMOs may modulate overall risk of recurrent wheeze among preschoolers with variable genetic risk scores (P < 0.01). Thus, we report novel genetic factors associated with HMOs, some of which may protect the respiratory health of children.

Original languageEnglish
Article number7735
JournalNature Communications
Volume15
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2024

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