The Protective Effects of 2'-Fucosyllactose AgainstE. ColiO157 Infection Are Mediated by the Regulation of Gut Microbiota and the Inhibition of Pathogen Adhesion

As the richest component in human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) can reduce the colonization of harmful microbiota in vivo, thus lowering the risk of infection; however, the mechanism for this is still unclear. In this study, a model ofEscherichia coliO157 infection in healthy adult mice was established to explore the effect of 2'-FL intervention onE. coliO157 colonization and its protective effects on mice. The results showed that 2'-FL intake reducedE. coliO157 colonization in mice intestine by more than 90% (p< 0.001), and it also reduced intestinal inflammation, increased the content of fecal short-chain fatty acids, and enhanced intestinal barrier function. These beneficial effects were attributed to the increased expression of mucins such asMUC2(increased by more than 20%,p< 0.001), and inhibition ofE. coliO157 cell adhesion (about 30% reduction,p< 0.001), and were associated with the modulation of gut microbiota composition. 2'-FL significantly increased the abundance ofAkkermansia, a potential probiotic, which may represent the fundamental means by which 2'-FL enhances the expression of mucin and reduces the colonization of harmful bacteria. The current study may support the use of 2'-FL in the prevention of foodborne pathogen infections in human.