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Updated: Jun 4, 2026

In Vitro and In Vivo Assessment of T, B and Myeloid Cells Suppressive Activity and Humoral Responses from Transplant Recipients
Published on: August 12, 2017
Breast milk and transplantation tolerance
Kazutoshi Aoyama1, Ken-Ichi Matsuoka, Takanori Teshima
1Biopathological Science; Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine and Dentistry; Okayama, Japan.
Exposure to noninherited maternal antigens (NIMAs) via pregnancy and breastfeeding enhances transplant tolerance. Breastfeeding promotes regulatory T cells, improving outcomes in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation later in life.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Transplantation immunology
- Maternal-fetal immunology
Background:
- Exposure to noninherited maternal antigens (NIMAs) during pregnancy influences transplant outcomes.
- Previous research indicates a tolerogenic effect of in utero NIMA exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of breastfeeding on NIMA-mediated tolerance.
- To determine the role of breastfeeding in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
Main Methods:
- Utilized a mouse model for allogeneic HSCT.
- Assessed the effects of NIMA exposure through pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Quantified regulatory T cell populations.
Main Results:
- Breastfeeding potentiates the tolerogenic effects of in utero NIMA exposure.
- Breastfeeding promotes the generation of persistent Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells.
- These regulatory T cells suppress anti-maternal immunity.
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding plays a significant role in enhancing tolerance to allogeneic HSCT.
- NIMA exposure via breastfeeding has a lasting impact on immune tolerance.
- This highlights a novel mechanism influencing transplant success.
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