# Role of gut microbiota-induced IgG in enteric host defense

> **NIH NIH K01** · WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV · 2021 · $152,582

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The gut microbiota has a plethora of important functions that promote human health. The impact of maternal
gut microbiota on neonatal health, however, remains largely unknown. Sepsis is an important cause of morbidity
and mortality among newborn infants, particularly in preterm infants. Our preliminary studies have unraveled a
previously unknown function of the gut microbiota to induce antigen-specific IgG antibodies under homeostatic
conditions, which can rapidly mediate clearance of pathogens bearing conserved IgG antigens during systemic
infection. Importantly, we found robust levels of commensal-specific IgG antibodies in both mouse and human
breast milk. Therefore, our central hypothesis is that 1) maternal commensal IgG confers critical protection to
the neonate against infection; 2) maternal immunization with IgG-inducing beneficial gut symbiotic bacteria, or
IgG-inducing antigens, may be a novel approach to treat neonatal sepsis, which can be caused by
dissemination of gut bacteria. This hypothesis will be tested through three specific aims: 1) determine the role
of maternal gut microbiota-induced IgG in neonatal enteric infection, 2) identify and characterize gut symbiotic
bacteria that induce homeostatic antigen-specific IgG antibodies, and 3) determine whether maternal
immunization with IgG-inducing bacteria or antigens confers protection in the neonate. The objective of the
current application is to harness gut microbiota-induced IgG to develop therapeutics for neonatal sepsis, and
for the PI to learn new skills such as developing neonatal infection models and vaccine nanoparticles, which
are important for her to develop an independent research program with a focus on the gut microbiota and
neonatal health. The research is significant because these studies will unravel potentially novel and effective
approaches to treat neonatal sepsis. The distinguished mentoring team will allow the PI to complete the
proposed studies with new skills and transition to independence in a new field of study. In addition, the
excellent research environment of the University of Michigan will provide exceptional support for the proposed
studies and the PI's career development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10129362
- **Project number:** 5K01DK114376-04
- **Recipient organization:** WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** Melody Y Zeng
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $152,582
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-04-01 → 2023-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10129362

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10129362, Role of gut microbiota-induced IgG in enteric host defense (5K01DK114376-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10129362. Licensed CC0.

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