Human milk stem cells

It's worth noting that research into the regenerative applications of human milk, including breast milk stem cell research, attracts enthusiastic funding from corporations who identify the potential for shareholder profit from commercial applications. This enthusiasm plays a vital role in driving lactation-related biomedical research forward, but occurs at the same time as research into community-based clinical breastfeeding and lactation support remains severely underfunded and devalued.

An Australian pioneer of the support for breastfeeding women, Maureen Minchin, has described the presence of stem cells in breast milk as a "free daily stemcell transplant" into the infant.

Human breast milk is a complex fluid containing various bioactive components, including stem cells 7 8. These stem cells exhibit the characteristics of multipotency, meaning they can self-renew and differentiate into multiple cell types.1 2 6 Studies have identified a population of mesenchymal stem cells in human milk which have been shown to transform into adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteoblasts in different culture mediums.1,2

These human milk stem cells are currently being investigated for potential roles in infant development, repair, and regeneration, as well as in treating neonatal diseases, with preliminary findings suggesting benefit in newborns.2 3 4 Preliminary evidence suggests that these maternal stem cells, transferred to the offspring during breastfeeding, can integrate into various infant organs, including the brain, blood, kidneys, and pancreas, potentially becoming functional cells like neurons and insulin-producing cells.10, 12

Because isolation of breast milk stem cells can be obtained without invasive procedures, they are also viewed as a promising source for regenerative therapies, tissue engineering, and gene therapies, with research ongoing to fully understand their functions and potential applications. 1 5 6 Animal studies, such as one using genetically modified "glowing mice," have demonstrated the transfer of viable stem cells from breast milk to the pups, although human replication is needed.10

The low tumorigenic potential of human milk stem cells also makes them an attractive option for regenerative medicine.6

However, extensive research is needed to further characterize breast milk stem cells, particularly in preterm milk and across different lactation stages, to fully understand their role in infant health and their potential for therapeutic applications.11

References

1. Mane S, Taneja S, Madala JS, Agarkhedkar S, Khetan M. Study of Stem Cells in Human Milk. Cureus. 2022;14(3):e23701. Published 2022 Mar 31. doi:10.7759/cureus.23701

2. Hassiotou F, Hartmann PE. At the dawn of a new discovery: the potential of breast milk stem cells. Adv Nutr. 2014;5(6):770-778. Published 2014 Nov 14. doi:10.3945/an.114.006924

3. Cacho NT, Lawrence RM. Innate Immunity and Breast Milk. Front Immunol. 2017;8:584. Published 2017 May 29. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2017.00584

4. He L, Sun Z, Zhao C, Sun H. Breast Milk Stem Cells in the Treatment of Neonatal Diseases. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther. 2025;20(5):538-545. doi:10.2174/011574888X304788240526190336

5. Bardanzellu F, Peroni DG, Fanos V. Human Breast Milk: Bioactive Components, from Stem Cells to Health Outcomes. Curr Nutr Rep. 2020;9(1):1-13. doi:10.1007/s13668-020-00303-7

6. Ninkina N, Kukharsky MS, Hewitt MV, et al. Stem cells in human breast milk. Hum Cell. 2019;32(3):223-230. doi:10.1007/s13577-019-00251-7

7. Kumari P, Raval A, Rana P, Mahto SK. Regenerative Potential of Human Breast Milk: A Natural Reservoir of Nutrients, Bioactive Components and Stem cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep. 2023;19(5):1307-1327. doi:10.1007/s12015-023-10534-0

8. Witkowska-Zimny M, Kaminska-El-Hassan E. Cells of human breast milk. Cell Mol Biol Lett. 2017;22:11. Published 2017 Jul 13. doi:10.1186/s11658-017-0042-4

9. Fan Y, Chong YS, Choolani MA, Cregan MD, Chan JK. Unravelling the mystery of stem/progenitor cells in human breast milk. PLoS One. 2010;5(12):e14421. Published 2010 Dec 28. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0014421

10. Ghosh A. Breast Milk Stem Cell Survival in Neonate's Gut, Entery into Neonate Circulation and Adaption by the Body. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther. 2020;15(2):98-101. doi:10.2174/1574888X14666191107095728

11. Briere CE, McGrath JM, Jensen T, Matson A, Finck C. Breast Milk Stem Cells: Current Science and Implications for Preterm Infants. Adv Neonatal Care. 2016;16(6):410-419. doi:10.1097/ANC.0000000000000338

12. Kakulas F, Geddes DT, et al. Human milk: A source of stem cells and immune factors for the infant. Cell Mol Immunol. 2021;18(2):256–65.