By Dr. Gergely Toldi, University of Birmingham — The Conversation UK — 1 March 2021
A new study has found that breastfed babies have nearly twice the number of regulatory T cells — which prevent autoimmune responses — compared to formula-fed babies at three weeks of age. Researchers found that two gut bacteria, Veillonella and Gemella, were more abundant in breastfed babies and produce short-chain fatty acids essential for the development of regulatory T cells. The study demonstrates that immune systems of the mother and baby continue interacting after birth via breastfeeding, and that breastfed babies’ immune systems better tolerate maternal cells and are more equipped to distinguish harmless substances from pathogens. The findings may help guide improvements to infant formula composition.