Breast milk protein breakthrough could protect babies

Australian researchers at QIMR Berghofer have discovered that osteopontin, a protein concentrated in breast milk during the first month of lactation, protects babies against potentially deadly respiratory infections by restoring immune cells within infant lungs. Pre-clinical studies showed the protein significantly reduced inflammation and controlled infections, with researchers also finding that rosiglitazone, a type 2 diabetes drug, can mimic some of these critical immune pathways. The findings could lead to improved infant formula and may have implications for reducing the severity of allergic diseases like asthma and eczema.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.