TABLE I.
Representative Soluble Defense Agents in Human Milk
| Representative function | |
|---|---|
| Anti-infectious agent | |
| Oligosaccharides–glycoconjugates | Inhibit binding of bacterial pathogens and toxins to epithelium |
| Lactoferrin | Decrease multiplication of siderophilic bacteria/fungi by Fe3+ chelation |
| Lysozyme | Disrupts peptidoglycans of cell walls on susceptible bacteria |
| Secretory IgA | Antibodies inhibit adherence of pathogens to epithelium; neutralize toxins |
| Mucin | Inhibits rotavirus |
| Lipids | Disrupt enveloped viruses |
| Anti-inflammatory agents | |
| Uric acid, ascorbate, α-tocopherol, β-carotene | Antioxidants |
| Prostaglandins | Cytoprotective |
| Cortisol, lactoferrin, EGF | Epithelial growth factors |
| Platelet-activating factor— acetylhydrolase | Degrades PAF |
| Immunomodulators | |
| Interleukin-lβ | Activates T cells/monocytes |
| Interleukin-6 | Aids terminal differentiation of IgA- producing cells |
| Tumor necrosis factor-α | Upregulates production of secretory component. |
| Activates T cells/monocytes |