Maternal cells, transmitted in breast milk
Studies have shown that breast milk contains viable mother’s cells – they play an important role not only in the development of the immunity of the breastfed child, but also in the development of aggressive forms of breast cancer.
The results have been published by Nature Communications.
University of Cambridge researcher Alesia-Jane Twigger noted that signaling molecules, including strands of RNA, may be present in milk and affect cells in the digestive system and other organs of children.
During the study, it was found that in breast milk there are many living cells that produce hormones and other molecular compounds.
Previously, it was believed that only dead cells from the mammary glands were found in milk.
Existing living cells can be divided into two groups. The cells from the first are similar to the cells of the mammary gland, and from the second they are different components of the immune system.
Scientists say that these and others play an important role in the formation of microflora and the immunity of children.
But at the same time, these cells can be associated with the most aggressive forms of breast cancer. We are talking about such tumors that metastasize to other organs of a woman.
Scientists suggest that this study, as well as others that follow, will help create new treatments for breast cancer.
It was previously reported that the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which influence the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, are also linked to prostate and pancreatic cancer, as found by an international team of scientists with the participation of specialists from the University of Cambridge and Hong Kong outside.
Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes occur in 1 in every 300-400 people. After establishing a link between these mutations and the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, scientists began looking for links with other types of cancer, but these were usually small studies that did not provide sufficiently reliable results.
