Clostridia from preterm infants metabolize human milk oligosaccharides to suppress pathobionts and modulate intestinal function in organoids

Nature Microbiology 2026 Open access

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Authors: Jonathan A. Chapman, Andrea C. Masi, Lauren C. Beck, H Watson, G Young, Hilary P. Browne, Yan Shao, Raymond Kiu, Andrew Nelson, Jennifer A Doyle, Pawel Palmowski, Márton Lengyel
+9 more James P. R. Connolly, Christopher A. Lamb, A. Porter, Trevor D. Lawley, L Hall, Nicholas D. Embleton, John D. Perry, Janet E. Berrington, Christopher J. Stewart
DOI: 10.1038/s41564-026-02297-4
Cited by: 7
References: 75

Abstract

Abstract Infant gut microbiome development is strongly impacted by breastmilk and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which can protect preterm infants against pathologies including necrotizing enterocolitis. HMO metabolism in bifidobacteria is well characterized and linked to health outcomes, but the scope of HMO-utilizing species remains unclear. Here, using a combination of genomics, proteomics and metabolomics, we show that Clostridium species isolated from preterm infants (born at

Fields of Study & Subjects

Infant Nutrition and Health Gut microbiota and health Probiotics and Fermented Foods

Publication details

Journal / source
Nature Microbiology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
11
Issue
4
Pages
940–959
Publication date
16 March 2026
Language
EN