Breastmilk Protein Discovery Could Enhance Infant Formula Against Infections

A significant discovery in breastmilk research offers new hope for protecting infants against potentially deadly respiratory infections. Scientists have identified osteopontin, a protein abundant in early breastmilk, as a key player in bolstering a baby's immune system. The international research team found that osteopontin initiates a cascade of biological processes, crucially altering the gut microbiomes of infants. These changes influence the production of bacterial metabolites, which in turn signal cells, including those in the lungs, to enhance immune development. This finding helps explain the known protective benefits of breastfeeding against respiratory illnesses. The study, published in the journal Cell, involved comparing the immune responses of mice fed osteopontin-enriched milk with those that did not receive it after infection. Mice lacking sufficient osteopontin showed lower levels of critical immune cells needed to fight respiratory infections. Supplementing their diet with osteopontin protected them. Excitingly, researchers also found that a drug already used for type 2 diabetes could mimic osteopontin's effects by activating the same immune pathways. The researchers are in discussions with infant formula companies, aiming to incorporate these findings to improve the quality and immune-boosting properties of commercial formulas. The research received partial funding from Nestle and Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council.

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The mice that weren't receiving the osteopontin in the milk, they had lower numbers of really important immune cells that helped defend the baby against the respiratory infection.