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Bacterial communities co-develop with respiratory immunity early in life, linking dysbiosis to systemic monocyte signature and wheezing
File(s)
Author(s)
Pattaroni, Celine
Macowan, Matthew
Chatzis, Roxanne
Iacono, Giulia
Cardwell, Bailey
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Early microbial colonization influences respiratory disease risk, yet mechanisms remain unclear. In a prospective birth cohort of 256 infants, we profiled bacterial, fungal, and viral communities in the upper airway and assessed local immune gene expression longitudinally, and systemic gene expression at one year. Bacterial populations, not fungal or viral, correlated most strongly with immune development during the first three months, coinciding with composition shifts and immune-related gene expression changes, including interferon and adaptive immunity pathways. In contrast, the mycobiome and resident viruses showed no significant co-evolution with host immunity. By one year, infants who previously wheezed displayed an upper airway microbiota enriched in Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella, accompanied by a distinct local and systemic immune gene signature featuring elevated classical monocyte-related genes. These
findings reveal a specific link between early-life bacterial dysbiosis, monocyte-related immunity, and wheezing onset, suggesting potential targets for early intervention in respiratory disease.
Date Issued
2025-10-01
Date Acceptance
2025-09-15
Citation
Science Advances, 2025, 11 (42)
URI
DOI
ISSN
2375-2548
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Journal / Book Title
Science Advances
Volume
11
Issue
42
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2025 Copyright Owner. This is the author’s accepted manuscript made available under a CC-BY licence in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy)
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN eadw1410
Date Publish Online
2025-10-17