Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Human milk is a rich source of immunomodulatory factors that influence the development of the infant immune system, including susceptibility to allergic diseases. Among these components, milk antibodies have been extensively studied for their role in protecting against infections; however, their potential contribution to allergy prevention may be equally important. The mechanisms of protection include allergen exclusion, enhanced and targeted antigen presentation, immune modulation via shaping of the infant gut microbiome, and direct regulation of gut immune responses. This review summarizes current evidence on the secretion of human milk antibodies, highlights what is known and what remains unclear about their role in allergy prevention and outlines the need for further research to develop antibody-based strategies for early allergy prevention.
Source: Allergy
DOI: 10.1111/all.70218
Institutions: University of Rochester Medicine, University of Rochester, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos, Oregon State University, University of Bern, University Hospital of Bern, The Kids Research Institute Australia, The University of Western Australia
Language: English
Topic: Infant Nutrition and Health
Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funders: Family Larsson‐Rosenquist Foundation, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, H2020 European Research Council
Awards: G121809054, G1855990336, G2099925525, G2262748287, G2660406951, Expecting Mothers' Study of Consumption or Avoidance of Peanut and Egg (ESCAPE), G3480869486, G3532166471, G425668148, G4857567810, G5421974903, The Power of Maternal Microbes on Infant Health, G683931746, G7084143925, G7188900320, G8858395165, G8920660035, G9000200551, G9000293420, Biomarkers of Atopy Beginning Early (BABE), Effects of human milk handling practices on peptide release and bioactivity in the preterm infant intestine
OpenAlex ID: W7125436902