Analysis of human colostrum reveals differential co-occurrence networks of metabolites, microbiota, and cytokines in maternal obesity

Gamez-Valdez, J. S.; Corona-Cervantes, K.; Sanchez-Salguero, E. S.; Alcorta-Garcia, M. R.; Lopez-Villasenor, C. N.; Carballo-Castaneda, R. A.; Moreno-Ulloa, A.; Lara-Diaz, V. J.; Brunck, M. E. G.; Licona-Cassani, C.

doi:10.1101/2025.03.27.645789

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.03.27.645789

Analysis of human colostrum reveals differential co-occurrence networks of metabolites, microbiota, and cytokines in maternal obesity

Gamez-Valdez, J. S.·Corona-Cervantes, K.·Sanchez-Salguero, E. S.·Alcorta-Garcia, M. R.·Lopez-Villasenor, C. N.·Carballo-Castaneda, R. A.·Moreno-Ulloa, A.·Lara-Diaz, V. J.·Brunck, M. E. G.·Licona-Cassani, C.

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Abstract

Breastmilk is essential for neonatal development, particularly in seeding the gut microbiota and modulating the maturing immune system. This proof-of-concept study explores the systemic nature of colostrum and the influence of maternal obesity on co-occurrences of colostrum bioactives. Using 16S-rRNA sequencing, untargeted metabolomics, and cytokines quantification, we analyzed co-occurring elements in the colostrum of mothers with normal weight (18.5 < BMI < 25) or obesity (BMI > 30). We identified 5 different co-occurrence networks, characterized by positive correlations of taxonomically related bacteria. Our integrative analysis reveals that Aeromonadaceae, Xanthomonadaceae and Staphylococcaceae negatively correlate with proinflammatory cytokines TNF-, IL-6, and IL-12p70 in the colostrum of mothers with obesity (WO). Additionally, lipid mediators, including 15-HEDE and LysoPC(16:00), were associated with cytokines IL-10 and IL-8, and microbiota taxa Burkholderiaceae, Beijerinckiaceae and Planococcaceae-firstly reported in colostrum from mothers WO. Our findings suggest a pervasive regulation of bioactives in the colostrum of mothers WO. This may have implications for a distinctive neonatal intestine development.

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Gamez-Valdez, J. S., Corona-Cervantes, K., Sanchez-Salguero, E. S., Alcorta-Garcia, M. R., Lopez-Villasenor, C. N., Carballo-Castaneda, R. A., Moreno-Ulloa, A., Lara-Diaz, V. J., Brunck, M. E. G., Licona-Cassani, C.. 2025-03-27. Analysis of human colostrum reveals differential co-occurrence networks of metabolites, microbiota, and cytokines in maternal obesity. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.03.27.645789

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