IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-Breast milk-derived signals regulate epithelial cells maturation and gamma delta-IEL colonization to shape early life intestinal homeostasis

Breast milk-derived signals regulate epithelial cells maturation and gamma delta-IEL colonization to shape early life intestinal homeostasis

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The speaker described intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) in the gut, focusing on gamma-delta T cells, especially the Vγ7 subset, which help maintain intestinal homeostasis early in life. Comparing mice from Jackson and Taconic labs, she found Taconic mice had fewer natural IELs and Vγ7 cells in the small intestine, but not in the thymus or colon. The differences appeared around weaning, and were not caused by early food intake or microbiota alone. Cross-fostering showed breast milk was key: pups raised by the other strain’s mother shifted their IEL levels accordingly. Further tests suggested the effect was not due to the IELs themselves, but to epithelial cells in the gut. Taconic mice showed reduced epithelial C-myc-related programs, lower E-cadherin, and altered gene expression. Milk proteomics pointed to lower growth factors such as IGF1. Overall, maternal milk factors appear to support epithelial development and retention of gamma-delta IELs in early life.

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Date April 18, 2026 1:45 PM - 2:00 PM

Room 153C

Session Emerging Topics in Mucosal Immunology

Speaker Marilia Garcia de Oliveira

Track Mucosal And Regional Immunology (MUC)

Year 2026

Keywords

intraepithelial lymphocytes

gamma-delta T cells

Vγ7 subset

breast milk factors

intestinal homeostasis

April 18, 2026 1:45 PM - 2:00 PM

153C

Emerging Topics in Mucosal Immunology

Marilia Garcia de Oliveira

Mucosal And Regional Immunology (MUC)

2026