Science subjournal: breaking textbooks! Breast milk can provide lifelong immune protection for children!

June 3, 2019 / BIOON / - a new study in mice by an international team of scientists led by the University of Birmingham in the UK found that breast milk can prevent infection and the effect can last a lifetime Previously, it was generally believed that immunity to disease passed from mother to baby only during breastfeeding, and that protection ended when breastfeeding ceased It is also believed that this immunity is delivered by maternal proteins, such as antibodies used by the immune system to neutralize bacteria and viruses Photo source: science advanced, however, a recent study on mice published in the journal Science Advanced found that the transfer of immune protection may be long-term, beyond the time of breastfeeding They also found that this protection is driven by the transfer of immune cells, completely independent of antibodies The study found that mothers of mice infected with the worm before pregnancy breastfed their pups for a lifetime of immune protection against the virus Surprisingly, the effect is delivered to babies through cells in breast milk rather than proteins such as antibodies These metastatic cells provide protection from worm infection throughout the body to infants The study shows that mothers can provide long-term breastfeeding with immune protection against infection, even if they are exposed to a globally prevalent source of infection before pregnancy Dr Paul Horsnell, who works at the Institute of Microbiology and infection at the University of Birmingham, the University of Orleans in France and the University of Cape Town in South Africa, said: "IMMUNOTRANSFER from mother to infant through breastfeeding is a very important immune protection against early infection This is the first time that pre pregnancy infection has been shown to deliver lifelong cellular immunity to infants This study shows that exposure to infection before pregnancy can cause mothers to pass on long-term immune benefits to their offspring It's amazing, and it adds a new dimension to our understanding of how mothers affect our health Adam Cunningham, Professor of functional immunology at the University of Birmingham and director of the bactivac network, added: "we are particularly interested in how these findings can help design strategies for maternal and child vaccines that provide long-term protection The study shows that infection of a mother can permanently change the immunity of offspring At present, it is very important for mothers to vaccinate their babies to protect them from infection, but this protection is considered to be short-lived Our research shows that in some cases, this effect may also be permanent This could lead to the design of a new vaccine that would transfer long-term immunity through the mother to her child "We hope that this study will lead to a study of how maternal exposure to pathogens before pregnancy affects infant health," added Professor Kai Michael toeller of the Institute of immunology and immunotherapy at the University of Birmingham "Reference: William g C horsenell et al Preconception mathematical helminth infection transfers via nursing long-lasting cellular immunity against helminths to offspring" science advanced (2019) Doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aav3058