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Updated: Jul 16, 2026

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Rapid Isolation of Human Breast Milk-Derived Extracellular Vesicles
Published on: November 14, 2025
Potential of Breast Milk Exosomes in Modulating Infant Developmental Programming: A Multi-Omics Study Based on a
Ying Lyu1, Yalin Zhou1,2, Xiaoyu Zhu1
1Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China.
Nutrients
|July 15, 2026
Summary
Human breast milk exosomes change composition over lactation, impacting infant development. These changes in microRNAs, lipids, and proteins suggest a role in adipogenesis and neurodevelopment.
Area of Science:
- Human biology
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
Background:
- Human breast milk (HBM) is crucial for infant development.
- Exosomes in HBM are bioactive but their nutritional role is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate changes in HBM exosomes during lactation.
- Determine the role of HBM exosomes in infant growth and development.
Main Methods:
- Collected HBM at 2 and 6 months postpartum.
- Utilized transcriptomic, lipidomic, and proteomic analyses.
- Analyzed multi-omics data for differential expression and association with infant growth.
Main Results:
- Down-regulation of specific microRNAs (e.g., miR-214-3p) at 6 months postpartum.
- Differential expression of numerous lipids and proteins.
- Enrichment analysis indicated roles in cell communication, axon guidance, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and fatty acid metabolism.
Conclusions:
- HBM exosome cargo changes with lactation, adapting to infant needs.
- Exosomes may influence infant adipogenesis and neurodevelopment.
- Further research is needed to validate the mechanisms of HBM exosome transfer and function.
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