Artificial breastmilk could form basis for future oral medications and vaccines

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"... that breastmilk does cross the baby’s intestinal barrier — the large protective layer of mucus and epithelial cells that allows essential nutrients to enter the bloodstream while blocking suspected toxins. ...

They discovered that certain proteins in human breast milk form a coating – or a corona – around nanoparticles, which “unlock” the intestinal barrier. Cows’ milk and infant formula can cross the barrier to some extent, but human breastmilk does it best, they concluded.

They describe this effect as the Human Breast Milk Protein Corona.

Milkosomes

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From these [human breast milk] donations, they developed “milkosomes” — artificial particles that are based on human milk and mimic exosomes, the nanoparticles responsible for infant development and immune system support. These milkosomes are able to cross the intestinal barrier. ..."

From the abstract:

"The intricate interplay between human breast milk, nanoparticles, and macromolecules holds promise for innovative nutritional delivery strategies. Compared to bovine milk and infant formula, this study explores human breast milk's role in modulating intestinal permeability and its impact on nanoparticle and macromolecule transport.

Comparative analysis with bovine milk and infant formula reveals significant elevations in permeability with human breast milk, accompanied by a decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance, suggesting enhanced paracellular transport. Mechanistically, human breast milk reduces Zonula occludens-1 levels, suggesting a regulatory role in intestinal barrier function. Through in vitro and ex vivo evaluations, we aim to understand better the mechanisms behind enhanced permeability and how human breast milk affects nanoparticle physicochemical properties, potentially modulating their behavior.

Specifically, human breast milk improves the intestinal permeability of liposomes in a porcine intestinal model, with associated changes in the composition of milk proteins corona related to liposome charge.

These findings underscore the unexploited potential of human breast milk in facilitating transport across the intestinal barrier, offering novel avenues for human nutritional delivery and therapeutic interventions."

Artificial breastmilk could form basis for future oral meds and vaccines - ISRAEL21c "Israelis develop ‘milkosomes,’ artificial particles based on human milk that can deliver drugs across the intestinal barrier to the bloodstream."

Harnessing the Potential of Human Breast Milk to Boost Intestinal Permeability for Nanoparticles and Macromolecules (open access)

From left,Topaz Pery, Si Naftaly and Kiros Rawan Mhajne helped develop “milkosomes” that cross the intestinal barrier.

Graphical abstract