Recent advances in human milk bioactives: osteopontin

Osteopontin, also referred to as bone sialoprotein I or secreted phosphoprotein 1, is a multifunctional glycoprotein implicated in numerous physiological and pathological processes. Initially identified in the early 1980s in osseous tissue, OPN plays a critical role in biomineralization and bone remodeling. It is expressed in a wide range of tissues and exerts its biological effects through binding to integrins and CD44 receptors on target cell surfaces, thereby modulating intracellular signaling pathways involved in immune regulation and inflammatory responses. Functionally, OPN acts as a cytokine that mediates cell-matrix interactions, facilitating cell adhesion, migration, and immune cell activation. Recent studies have proposed that the inclusion of OPN in infant formula may confer immunological and gastrointestinal benefits comparable to those observed in breastfed infants. Consequently, OPN is being investigated as a functional ingredient to enhance the nutritional and developmental efficacy of infant formula. While exclusive breastfeeding remains the gold standard for infant nutrition and developmental support, OPN-fortified formula may serve as a viable alternative when breast milk is unavailable or insufficient.