High levels of fucosylation and sialylation of milk N-glycans from mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus alter the offspring gut microbiome and immune balance in mice

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is significantly associated with allergen sensitization in early childhood, and this may influence the gut microbiome and immune system of the children. In addition to mother-to-child transmission of microbes, milk glycans play a pivotal role in shaping the gut microbiome of infants. A previous study has demonstrated alterations in the major milk N-glycans of mothers with GDM. However, the impact of these changes on the gut microbiome and immune response of the neonates has yet to be studied. Here, we aimed to compare the glycosylation levels of various milk glycans between normal and GDM mice, and to characterize the intestinal microbiome and immune responses of the offspring after weaning. We found that GDM mouse milk contained significantly higher concentrations of fucosylated and sialylated N-glycans than control mice, but there was no difference in the concentration of milk oligosaccharides between the groups. The differences in milk N-glycans had direct effects on the intestinal microbiome of the offspring, which in turn affected their immune response upon challenge with ovalbumin (OVA), with disruptions in the Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg cell balances. This study lays the foundation for further research and development of specific nutritional care for the offspring of GDM mothers.