In the Age of Viral Pandemic, Can Ingredients Inspired by Human Milk and Infant Nutrition Be Repurposed to Support the Immune System?

Abstract

In 2020, with the advent of a pandemic touching all aspects of global life, there is a renewed interest in nutrition solutions to support the immune system. Infants are vulnerable to infection and breastfeeding has been demonstrated to provide protection. As such, human milk is a great model for sources of functional nutrition ingredients, which may play direct roles in protection against viral diseases. This review aims to summarize the literature around human milk (lactoferrin, milk fat globule membrane, osteopontin, glycerol monolaurate and human milk oligosaccharides) and infant nutrition (polyunsaturated fatty acids, probiotics and postbiotics) inspired ingredients for support against viral infections and the immune system more broadly. We believe that the application of these ingredients can span across all life stages and thus apply to both pediatric and adult nutrition. We highlight the opportunities for further research in this field to help provide tangible nutrition solutions to support one’s immune system and fight against infections.

Understanding Rhinovirus Circulation and Impact on Illness

“…Host innate-immune directed antiviral strategies offer the potential to work against multiple respiratory pathogens. Such therapeutics include antimicrobial molecules which can directly act as effectors against the virus, such as cathelicidins, lactoferrin, or vitamin D [85][86][87][88]. Recently, a defensin-like peptide (P9R) was reported to be effective against many pH-dependent viruses including RV, coronavirus (SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV), and influenza viruses (H1N1, H7N9) [89].…”

Breastfeeding during a Pandemic

“…It contributes to the development of the newborn’s immune system and contains several substances with a marked antiviral activity [17]. For some of these substances (Table 1), such as lactoferrin and human milk oligosaccharides, the antiviral activity has been attributed such a great importance that they have been supplemented to support immunity and provide antiviral protection of adult individuals [18, 19].…”

Whey Protein Lipid Concentrate High in Milk Fat Globule Membrane Components Inhibit Porcine and Human Rotavirus in vitro

“…Traditional methods of producing infant formulas have discarded the bovine milk fat in favor of vegetable oils ( 28 ). However, in vitro , preclinical, and clinical studies have demonstrated numerous potential health benefits of MFGM ( 9 , 10 ). A systematic review and meta-analysis of MFGM supplementation in infants and children supported beneficial effects of MFGM on cognitive development and on reduction in otitis media incidence ( 29 ).…”

“…In addition, specific human milk components may confer protection against infection by acting as decoy receptors to block the attachment of pathogens to host cell surfaces, including anti-RV secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) ( 6 ) and human milk oligosaccharides ( 7 , 8 ). Over the past two decades, both in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated health benefits associated with Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM) and its component proteins, carbohydrates, and fats ( 9 , 10 ), including improved neurocognitive development, metabolism ( 11 ) and reduced infectious disease ( 12 , 13 ). In addition, both the lipid and protein fractions of MFGM reduce RV infectivity in vitro ( 14 , 15 ).…”

“…In contrast, Hettinga and collaborators ( 25 ) identified that the human MFGM was more enriched with immunoglobulins than bovine MFGM, while bovine MFGM was more enriched with antibacterial proteins than human milk. Despite some differences between human and bovine MFGM composition, clinical studies have established benefits of bovine MFGM supplemented pediatric nutrition formulations on a wide range of outcomes in infants and children ( 9 ).…”