Swat team of immune cells found in mother's milk

6 min read /
Immunology Allergies & Immunity
Swat team of immune cells found in mother's milk

Immune cells that are ready to take action against invaders like bacteria have been found in women's breast milk, researchers say. They say the presence of this SWAT team of immune cells called innate lymphoid cells, or ILCs, in human breast milk is more evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding.

Short term, the ILCs in breast milk may help protect newborns from infection, and longer term help babies develop their own protective immune system, they report in JAMA Pediatrics.

Reference

Baban B, Malik A, Bhatia J, Yu JC. Presence and Profile of Innate Lymphoid Cells in Human Breast Milk. JAMA Pediatr.Published online April 09, 2018

Links : https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-05/mcog-sto050218.php 

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