Shimizu et al. investigate whether early-life human defensin 5 (HD5), a host innate immunity factor, influences Bifidobacterium colonization in infant gut and modulates microbiota development in later life. HD5-associated colonization during weaning contributes to the long-term establishment of a beneficial microbiota.
- Yu Shimizu
- Yuki Yokoi
- Kiminori Nakamura