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Immune cells migrate intestine within:
Of the 3.6 million babies born in the United States each year, around 80% begin to breastfeed during their first month of life. Furthermore, Breastfeeding has known advantages for mother. Therefore, child, reducing the maternal risk of breast and ovary cancer, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, while simultaneously supporting the baby’s nutrition and immune system. In addition, But because pregnancy and lactation have been historically undeled, we still do not understand science behind several of these advantages.
Immunologists from the Salk Institute change this card with a map of migration of immune cells before and during lactation. Furthermore, Using both animal research. Nevertheless, breast milk and tissue samples, researchers discovered that immune cells called T cells are abundant in the breast glands during pregnancy and breastfeeding, some moving the intestine. immune cells migrate intestine within However, These cells probably support maternal and nourished health.
The results. Consequently, published in Nature immunology On July 29, 2025, can help explain the advantages of breastfeeding, to cause new solutions to mothers unable to breastfeed and to clarify the food decisions that improve the production and quality of breast milk.
By studying how immune cells change during pregnancy. Moreover, lactation, we were able to find many exciting things, that there is a significant increase in immune cells in breast tissue during lactation, and the increase in immune cells requires microbes. Furthermore, “”
Deputy Professor Depshika Ramanan, principal author of the study
What we know: babies get intestinal bacteria and mother milk antibodies
Most breastfeeding studies focus on the relationship between the milk content and the infant’s health. Meanwhile, These studies. In addition, including previous work from Ramanan, have shown that babies receive immune cells migrate intestine within significant intestinal bacteria and their mother’s antibodies through breast milk, which throws a critical base for their developmental system. However, we know much less about changes in the mother’s body during this period.
Certain characteristics of the immune landscape of the mammary gland can be deducted from research on milk content. For example. the presence of antibodies in breast milk means that immune cells producing antibodies called B cells should be present. But few have examined the activity of immune cells directly in the mammary gland itself.
What’s new: mom’s intestinal microbes increase immune cells in the mammary glands
“What is really exciting is that we have not found more T cells in the mammary glands. we found that some of these T cells really came from the intestine,” said the first author Abigail Jaquish, a student researcher in the Ramanan laboratory. “We believe they probably support breast tissue in immune cells migrate intestine within the same way that they usually support intestinal fabric. »»
The researchers began their study by examining the tissues of mouse mouse ice cream at various stages before post -lactation. By comparing these samples. they discovered that three different types of T cells crossed into number: CD4 +, CD8α +and CD8αβ +cells.
It was curious for the team. because these T cell subtypes are members of a special class of immune cells called intraepithelial lymphocytes. Intraepithelial lymphocytes live in mucous-doute tissues such as intestines or lungs that are exposed to substances from the outside world. Because these tissues are more vulnerable, intraepithelial lymphocytes act as “resident” immune cells, parked on site and ready for action.
The researchers noticed that these CD4 +. CD8α + and CD8αβ + cells bordered the breast epithelium in the same way that they bordered the epithelium with other mucous tissues. In addition. these T lymphocytes immune cells migrate intestine within subtypes were carrying fingerprints of resident surface protein proteins with regard to the migration of T lymphocytes between the intestines and the mammary glands. Together. these changes facilitated a transition from the mammary gland from non-maux to mucous tissue in preparation for lactation, where it would become exposed to the external environment, including the microbes of the skin of the mother and the mouth of the infant.
But was it also happening in humans? A survey on databases of human mammary tissue. milk samples from the UC San Diego breast milk institute revealed Oui-The human equivalents of these intraepithelial lymphocytes have shown the same trends.
The team returned to the mouse model with a last question: are these mmmary acorns cells affected by microbes. in the same way as they are in the intestine? They compared the mouse mouse glands living in normal. germ-free environments and found that the three immune cells migrate intestine within T cell subtypes were expressed much more in mice exposed to microbes. This discovery suggests that maternal microbes modulate the number of T cells created during lactation. which could in turn have an impact on the force of the mammary gland immune barrier.
Overall. the production of T cells has accelerated using microbes, the T cells moved from the intestine to the mammary glands and the mammary glands have gone from non -mucous tissues to mucous tissues.
Immune cells migrate intestine within
For the future: what affects this intestinal immune axis and thus influences our health during generations?
“We now know much more about how the maternal immune system changes during this critical period. ” explains Ramanan, “and we can now use this information to start exploring the direct effects of these immune cells on maternal and infant health. »»
Researchers hypothesize that hormones influence these many changes. that the global immune cells migrate intestine within objective is to protect the mother from the outside world and related infection. But the way they influence lactogenesis, milk quality and maternal health and babies are the following case to crack.
“There is so much more research to do in this area, we just started,” adds Jaquish. “If we see a link between the intestine and the mammary gland, what other interactions could occur in the body?” And what could have an impact on the milk that we transmit to our offspring? »»
Understand the changes in maternal immune cells during pregnancy and lactation may have an impact again and again. Ideas can also lead to solutions for mothers who cannot breastfeed. or with therapies that help support the production of natural milk or with more sophisticated formulas that provide part of the same immune support. As the link between the intestine. the mammary gland becomes clearer, scientists could immune cells migrate intestine within one day suggest regimes to promote breast and maternal health, as well as to optimize the quality of milk.
The other authors include Eleni Phung and Salk Bursulara. Xutong Gong. Silvia Galvan, Ian Magill, Pillar Ballominos, Eleoning Marina and Krri Bertrand and Christina Chambers of UC San Diego; Institute; and the members of the immense consortium.
The work was supported by the Damon Runyon Dale F. Frey Award. UC San Diego Pibs T32, National Institute of Health (RO1-A150686, R24-072073, NCI CCSG P30 CA014195, Nia San Diego Nathan Center P30, S10 OD023689, S10 OD034268) Chapman and Charitable Helmsley Trust.
Immune cells migrate intestine within
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