Slater Alanna S, Hickey Rita M, Davey Gavin P
Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland.
School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Front Immunol. 2025 Jan 14;15:1523829. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1523829. eCollection 2024.
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are abundant, diverse and complex sugars present in human breast milk. HMOs are well-characterized barriers to microbial infection and by modulating the human microbiome they are also thought to be nutritionally beneficial to the infant. The structural variety of over 200 HMOs, including neutral, fucosylated and sialylated forms, allows them to interact with the immune system in various ways. Clinically, HMOs impact allergic diseases, reducing autoimmune and inflammatory responses, and offer beneficial support to the preterm infant immune health. This review examines the HMO composition and associated immunomodulatory effects, including interactions with immune cell receptors and gut-associated immune responses. These immunomodulatory properties highlight the potential for HMO use in early stage immune development and for use as novel immunotherapeutics. HMO research is rapidly evolving and promises innovative treatments for immune-related conditions and improved health outcomes.
人乳寡糖（HMOs）是存在于人乳中的丰富、多样且复杂的糖类。HMOs是微生物感染的特征性屏障，并且通过调节人类微生物组，它们也被认为对婴儿具有营养益处。超过200种HMOs的结构多样性，包括中性、岩藻糖基化和唾液酸化形式，使它们能够以多种方式与免疫系统相互作用。在临床上，HMOs影响过敏性疾病，减少自身免疫和炎症反应，并为早产儿的免疫健康提供有益支持。本综述探讨了HMO的组成及其相关的免疫调节作用，包括与免疫细胞受体的相互作用以及肠道相关免疫反应。这些免疫调节特性突出了HMO在早期免疫发育中的应用潜力以及作为新型免疫疗法的应用潜力。HMO研究正在迅速发展，并有望为免疫相关疾病带来创新治疗方法并改善健康结果。
