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The Immune System of Breast Milk: Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory Properties

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Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) and Breastfeeding

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 743))

Abstract

Human breast milk is recognized as the optimal infant feeding. Human milk contains the nutrients necessary to support the infant’s development [1–3]. Breast milk also contains components that protect young children against various infectious diseases and, as more recently described, constituents necessary to support the development of the infant’s immune system (ontogeny) [1–3]. This includes various antimicrobial substances, constituents that promote tolerance and priming of the infant immune system, as well as anti-inflammatory components. It has recently become clearer that protection provided through breast milk against some infections extends well beyond weaning [4].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 15, av JJ Crocq, 1020, Brussels, Belgium

    Philippe Lepage

  2. Department of Bacteriology-Virology, INSERM U 1058 “Infection by HIV and by Agents with Mucocutaneous Tropism: From Pathogenesis to Prevention”, University Montpellier 1, CHRU Montpellier, 371 Avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France

    Philippe Van de Perre

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Correspondence to Philippe Lepage .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Emory University, Buford Highway 4770, Atlanta, 30341, Georgia, USA

    Athena P. Kourtis

  2. and Prevention, Global AIDS Program - China, Centers for Disease Control, Emory University School of Medicine, Beijing, 100600, China, People's Republic

    Marc Bulterys

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Lepage, P., Van de Perre, P. (2012). The Immune System of Breast Milk: Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory Properties. In: Kourtis, A., Bulterys, M. (eds) Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) and Breastfeeding. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 743. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-2251-8_9

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