Breast Milk's Hidden Heroes: How Friendly Bacteria Fight Off Dangerous Germs

More Than Just Food

Breast milk is not just nourishment for babies. It's a powerhouse of good bacteria that can help fight off nasty infections.

The Discovery

Scientists have found that certain types of friendly bacteria, called Limosilactobacillus fermentum, can boost the body's defenses against a harmful germ called Neisseria meningitidis. This germ can cause serious illnesses like meningitis.

The Superstars

The researchers looked at 113 different types of bacteria from breast milk. They found two superstars, BM-18 and BM-103, which are tough and can survive in harsh conditions.

Tiny Superheroes

These bacteria are like tiny superheroes. They stick to the cells lining our airways and don't cause any harm. Instead, they help fight off the bad guys.

The Battle

When these friendly bacteria meet the harmful Neisseria meningitidis, they don't back down. They stick to it and fight it off. But that's not all. They also help calm down the body's overreactive immune response. This means they can reduce inflammation caused by the infection.

The Mechanism

The researchers found out how these friendly bacteria do their job. They activate a specific pathway in our cells, called the TLR-2/p38-MAPK/NF-κB pathway. This pathway helps the body produce more of a natural antibiotic called hBD-2. This antibiotic helps fight off the infection.

The Trick

On the other hand, the harmful Neisseria meningitidis tries to trick the body by activating a different pathway, TLR-4/MyD88/A20, which suppresses hBD-2. But the friendly bacteria outsmart it by activating their own pathway.

The Future

This discovery is exciting because it shows that breast milk contains bacteria that can help fight off infections. However, more research is needed to see if these bacteria can be used as probiotics to prevent or treat infections in humans.