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Human milk glycoconjugates that inhibit pathogens

D S Newburg1

  • 1Shriver Center for Mental Retardation 200 Trapelo Road, Waltham, Massachusetts 02452 USA.

Current Medicinal Chemistry
|February 3, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Human milk complex carbohydrates, including oligosaccharides, act as novel antipathogenic agents. These compounds protect breast-fed infants by inhibiting pathogen binding and reducing infection incidence.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Breast-fed infants exhibit reduced incidence of infections like diarrhea and otitis media.
  • While secretory IgA was traditionally credited, human milk is rich in complex carbohydrates, including oligosaccharides.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of human milk's complex carbohydrates as antipathogenic agents.
  • To investigate how these carbohydrates protect infants from various infections.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature on human milk composition and its interaction with pathogens.
  • Analysis of specific examples of carbohydrate-mediated inhibition of pathogen binding and infection.

Main Results:

  • Human milk oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates inhibit the binding of numerous pathogens, including E. coli, Campylobacter jejuni, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  • Specific compounds like lactadherin, fucosyloligosaccharides, and gangliosides demonstrate potent anti-infective properties.
  • Low lactadherin levels correlate with increased rotavirus incidence in breast-fed infants.

Conclusions:

  • Complex carbohydrates in human milk represent a significant, previously underappreciated source of infant protection.
  • These novel antipathogenic agents contribute substantially to the health benefits of breastfeeding.

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