2′-Fucosyllactose Promotes the Production of Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Improves Immune Function in Human-Microbiota-Associated Mice by Regulating Gut Microbiota

As a natural prebiotic in human milk, 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) is actively used in infant formula (IF). However, the 2′-FL influence on the improvement of gut microbiota and the regulation of the immune function remains unknown. In this study, human microbiota-associated (HMA) mice were used to demonstrate that feeding 2′-FL-containing IF was comparable to human milk at levels of immune cytokines (IL-2, IL-9, IL-10, and sIgA) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs, i.e., acetate and propionate). In addition, 2′-FL increased the abundance of Blautia and Olsenella and improved the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 levels. The abundance of Blautia and Olsenella positively correlated with the IL-10 levels. 2′-FL also decreased the abundance of Enterorhabdus and Lachnospiraceae_UCG-006 and elevated SCFA levels, showing a negative correlation between these genera and SCFAs. Our findings revealed that feeding 2′-FL-containing IF drives the levels of cytokines and SCFAs toward human milk levels by shaping the beneficial gut microbiota profile.