'The full characterisation of such
molecules could make possible a novel class of therapeutic agents suitable for oral
supplementation'
Lactadherin, a human-milk glycoconjugate, has been found to protect babies from the
symptoms of rotavirus infection. Rotavirus is the commonest cause of diarrhoea in the
world in infants and young children. David Newburg and colleagues studied 200 infants in
Mexico City from birth by monitoring their stools for the presence of rotavirus.
Milk samples from breast-feeding mothers were analysed weekly until 4 weeks post partum,
then monthly. Those samples taken just before the infant had rotavirus infection were
assayed for a collection of substances, including lactadherin, which was found to have the
highest antirotavirus activity. Importantly, the protective effect of lactadherin was
independent of products of the secretory immune system.
The investigators suggest that milk glycoproteins such as lactadherin could form the basis
of therapeutic agents suitable for oral supplementation.
