Figure 2.

Effect of 2′-FL on the intestinal gene expression and production of cytokines. (A) The intestinal function was assessed on day 8 by the relative quantification of IgA secretion, Toll-like receptors, cytokines, epithelial barrier, and maturation by real-time PCR. The relative gene expression in the experimental groups was calculated with respect to REF, which corresponded to 100% of transcription (indicated with a horizontal dotted line). A collection of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α) were quantified in the intestinal wash of animals on (B) day 8 and (C) day 16 of life. Results are expressed as mean ± S.E.M. (n = 8/group in (A), n = 6/group in (B,C) *p < 0.05 compared to REF group (by Mann-Whitney U-test). pIgR, Polymeric immunoglobulin receptor; IgA, immunoglobulin A; TLR, Toll-like receptor; TNF, tumor necrosis alpha; IL, interleukin; IFN, interferon; TGF-β, tumor growth factor-beta; MUC2, mucin 2; Ocln, occludin; Cldn2, claudin 2; FcRn, neonatal constant fragment receptor; Blimp-1, B-lymphocyte-induced maturation-protein-1; REF, reference; 2′-FL, 2′-fucosyllactose.