Newborns Suppress Immune System to Let Gut Bacteria In
The womb is a (mostly) sterile environment. When babies leave it, they are thrust into a world that’s positively teeming with microbes—bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and more. Some threaten to infect them and cause disease. Others are necessary for their survival and colonise their guts, skin and other organs.
Babies need to keep the dangerous microbes out, and let the beneficial ones in. It’s a tough balancing act, and one whose solution has only just been discovered.
Shokrollah Elahi from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center has found that newborn mice have special immune cells that suppress the rest of their immune system. This makes them unusually vulnerable to infections for the first two weeks of life, but it also gives other bacteria a chance to settle their guts.
Newborn humans are also especially vulnerable to infections for their first months of life, and most people believed that this was because our immune systems take a while to mature. But if Elahi is right, then this explanation if wrong. If the same suppressor cells exist in human infants, then our early window of vulnerability isn’t due to an immature immune system, but an actively suppressed one.
I’ve written more about this study at The Scientist, so head over there for the details.
Go Further
Animals
- These 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animalsThese 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animals
- These photos are works of art—and the artists are bugsThese photos are works of art—and the artists are bugs
- The epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfishThe epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfish
- Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75
Environment
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
- The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?
- The most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater weldersThe most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater welders
- The harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to surviveThe harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to survive
History & Culture
- Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’
- A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.
- Meet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural iconMeet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural icon
- Inside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysicsInside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysics
Science
- LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?
- NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.
- Humans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying themHumans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying them
- Why engineers are concerned about aging infrastructureWhy engineers are concerned about aging infrastructure
Travel
- Why you should try beach-hopping by boat around Paxos, GreeceWhy you should try beach-hopping by boat around Paxos, Greece
- Mansion museums show visitors the gritty side of the Gilded AgeMansion museums show visitors the gritty side of the Gilded Age
- 2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip