Functional shifts in immune composition follow lactation stage in human milk - Scorecard - MDSpire

Functional shifts in immune composition follow lactation stage in human milk

  • By

  • Jia Ming Low

  • Melissa Shu Feng Ng

  • Chen-Shi Lin

  • Jian-Zhou Cui

  • Meera K. Shenoy

  • Sheau Yng Lim

  • Lu-Yi Ng

  • Si Min Lang

  • Wai-Chung Ong

  • Tamanna Ferdous

  • Rashi Gupta

  • Tanusya Murali Murali

  • Isabelle Tan

  • Karishma Sachaphibulkij

  • Yung-Seng Lee

  • Paul A MacAry

  • June 24, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Scorecard: Changes in Immune Cell Composition in Human Milk Throughout Different Stages of Lactation

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
ConditionHuman milk immune composition
Key MechanismsDynamic changes in immune cell types and soluble mediators across lactation stages
Target PopulationLactating mothers and their infants
Care SettingClinical research on maternal and infant health

Key Highlights

  • Human milk shows distinct immune cell populations compared to maternal blood.
  • Colostrum is enriched with neutrophils and antimicrobial programs.
  • Transitional and mature milk exhibit increased effector-memory T-cell signatures.
  • Soluble immune mediators change, with early cytokines declining and IL-7 increasing in mature milk.
  • Human milk serves as a dynamic immune environment for infants.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

    Management

      Monitoring & Follow-up

        Risks

          Patient & Prescribing Data

          Lactating mothers and their infants, particularly preterm infants

          Human milk provides immunological support during early postnatal life.

          Clinical Best Practices

          • Utilize longitudinal paired analyses of maternal milk and blood for immune profiling.
          • Consider the stage of lactation when assessing immune components in human milk.

          Related Resources & Content

            Original Source(s)

            Functional shifts in immune composition follow lactation stage in human milk

            • by Jia Ming Low, Melissa Shu Feng Ng, Chen-Shi Lin, Jian-Zhou Cui, Meera K. Shenoy, Sheau Yng Lim, Lu-Yi Ng, Si Min Lang, Wai-Chung Ong, Tamanna Ferdous, Rashi Gupta, Tanusya Murali Murali, Isabelle Tan, Karishma Sachaphibulkij, Yung-Seng Lee, Paul A MacAry

            • June 24, 2026

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