Milk exosomes are an important intercellular communication mechanism secreted by mammalian mammary gland cells, which transmit information and regulate the growth, development and lactation process of mammary glands by releasing milk exosomes.

Characterisation of milk exosomes

Milk exosomes are vesicles secreted by breast cells with a diameter of about 100-200 nanometers. Milk exosomes are mainly surrounded by lipid bilayers, containing proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and other biologically active substances. The membrane lipid composition and protein labeling of milk exosomes are similar to those of other exosomes, but their special characteristics are rich in mammary-specific proteins and milk components, such as milk proteins, lactic acid, and immunoglobulins.

Function of milk exosomes

Milk exosomes have a variety of biological functions, mainly including lactation regulation, immune defense and breast development. First, milk exosomes regulate milk production and quality of mammary glands by releasing substances such as milk protein, lactic acid and immunoglobulin to meet the growth and development needs of infants. Secondly, milk exosomes are rich in immunoglobulins and other immune factors, which have immune defense functions such as antibacterial, antiviral and immunomodulatory to protect infants from infection. In addition, milk exosomes are also involved in the development of mammary glands, such as the proliferation, differentiation and secretion of breast cells.

Application of milk exosome

Milk exosome systems have a wide range of application prospects in the fields of medicine and bioengineering. First of all, milk exosomes are rich in proteins, lipids and immunoglobulins, which can be used in the research and development and production of human milk substitutes. Second, immune factors and bioactive substances in milk exosomes can be used to develop antibacterial, antiviral, and immunomodulatory drugs. In addition, milk exosomes can also be used as a novel bioengineering tool for the production and delivery of important proteins and bioactive substances.

Research progress on milk exosomes

In recent years, many important advances have been made in the study of the milk exosome system. Researchers have successfully isolated and purified milk exosomes, and conducted in-depth studies on their composition and function. In addition, many studies on the functional regulation and application of milk exosomes have been carried out, exploring their potential mechanisms and applications in lactation regulation, immune defense, and mammary gland development. These studies provide an important theoretical and practical basis for the development of milk exosomes as a novel intercellular communication mechanism and bioengineering tool.

Conclusion

As an important secretion mechanism of mammalian mammary cells, lactoexosomes have multiple functions, including lactation regulation, immune defense and mammary gland development. With the advancement of in-depth research and application of lactoexosomes, it is believed that the lactoexosomal system will provide new ideas and methods for the fields of medicine and bioengineering.