Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 19, 2025
09:09
A Method for Targeted 16S Sequencing of Human Milk Samples
Published on: March 23, 2018
10.0K
Non-Coding RNAs in Human Breast Milk: A Systematic Review.
Lina Tingö1,2, Emelie Ahlberg1, Lovisa Johansson3
1Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
Frontiers in Immunology
|September 20, 2021
Summary
Human breast milk contains diverse non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), which may influence infant immunity and health. Further research is needed to understand their bioavailability and functions.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Breast milk is crucial for infant nutrition and immune defense.
- Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), are increasingly recognized as important factors in breast milk.
- These ncRNAs may influence immune-related health outcomes later in life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the current literature on endogenous ncRNAs in human breast milk.
- To summarize findings on the types, expression, stability, uptake, and potential functions of these ncRNAs.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of 30 relevant studies was conducted.
- Literature search focused on endogenous ncRNAs identified in human breast milk.
- Studies investigating microRNAs (miRNAs) were particularly analyzed.
Main Results:
- Breast milk contains various ncRNAs, with microRNAs (miRNAs) being the most studied.
- Commonly reported miRNAs include miR-148a-3p, miR-30a/d-5p, and miR-22-3p.
- Breast milk miRNAs are stable, can be taken up by intestinal cells, and have predicted functions in metabolic and signaling pathways.
Conclusions:
- Human breast milk is a rich source of diverse ncRNAs, especially miRNAs.
- Methodological differences and small sample sizes limit definitive conclusions on factors affecting miRNA profiles.
- Future research should focus on miRNA bioavailability and characterizing other unstudied ncRNAs.
Related Concept Videos
02:55The Nucleolus
9.5K
The nucleolus is the most prominent substructure of the nucleus. When it was first discovered, it was considered to be an isolated organelle that forms fibrils and granules. In 1931, the relationship between the nucleolus and chromosomes was first described by Heitz. He observed that the appearance and size of nucleolus varies depending on the stage of the cell cycle. He also noticed constricted regions on different chromosomes clustered together at definite cell cycle stages. These regions,...
9.5K
02:39lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
9.1K
In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA...
9.1K
02:24Ribosome Profiling
3.7K
Ribosome profiling or ribo-sequencing is a deep sequencing technique that produces a snapshot of active translation in a cell. It selectively sequences the mRNAs protected by ribosomes to get an insight into a cell’s translation landscape at any given point in time.
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique...
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique...
3.7K