FIGURE 3.

Potential role of hMOS on RSV disease. hMOS such as 2’-FL and LNnT are metabolized by Bifidobacterium in the infant’s gut into short-chain fatty acids, like acetate. Small quantities of hMOS and acetate are absorbed and can reach the lungs through circulation, where they could act as antivirals and modulate inflammation. Small quantities of hMOS and short-chain fatty acids could also coat the upper respiratory mucosa in the form of regurgitated milk, as seen in the noses of breastfed infants. hMOS, human milk oligosaccharides; IFN-β, interferon beta; IL-1α, interleukin-1 alpha; IL-1β, interleukin-1 beta; IL-6, interleukin 6; IL-8, interleukin 8; LNnT, lacto-N-neotetratose; MCP-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; MIP-1α, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha; RSV, respiratory syncytial virus; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor alpha; 2’-FL, 2’-fucosyllactose.