| TLR | toll-like receptor |
| FOS | Fructooligosaccharides |
| GOS | galactooligosaccharides |
| NEC | Necrotizing enterocolitis |
| NOD2 | nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing 2 |
| LOS | Late-onset sepsis |
| AD | atopic dermatitis |
| ADHD | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder |
| ASD | autism spectrum disorders |
| HMOs | human milk oligosaccharides |
| GALT | gut-associated lymphoid tissue |
| DC | dendritic cells |
| sIgA | Secretory immunoglobulin A |
| IECs | intestinal epithelial cells |
| PRRs | pattern-recognition receptors |
| CLRs | C-type lectin receptors |
| RLR | RIG-I-like receptor |
| AIM2 | Absent in melanoma 2 like receptors |
| OAS | oligoadenylate synthase receptor |
| AMPs | antimicrobial peptides |
| TGF β | transforming growth factor-β |
| IL | interleukin |
| IFN-γ | interferon-γ |
| Ig | immunoglobulin |
| TNF | tumor necrosis factor |
| QPS | Qualified Presumption of Safety |
| EFSA | European Food Safety Authority |
| FDA | Food and Drug Administration |
| PAMPs | pathogen-associated molecular patterns |
| TJs | tight junctions |
| LMWs | low molecular weight compounds |