Vol. 8, Issue 7 (2019)

Author(s):
PD Divya and M Shynu

Abstract:
Milk has been recognized as a functionally active nutrient system promoting neonatal growth of mammals. It is species-specific and consists of various bioactive components, including microRNAs, small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and long-range cell-to-cell communication mediators. Transfer of these components through blood transfusion, diet, during breast feeding etc have sparked the interest on studies of miRNA.It can be both intra and extra cellular and are present in body fluids of humans and animals. Of these body fluids, milk appears to be one of the richest sources of microRNA, which are highly conserved in its different fractions, with milk cells containing more microRNAs than milk lipids, followed by skim milk. Milk microRNAs can enter the systemic circulation of the milk fed infant and exert tissue-specific immuno protective and developmental functions. Human breast milk is the ideal food for infants allowing appropriate postnatal growth and species-specific metabolic programming, but persistent high milk signaling during adolescence and adulthood by continued cow milk consumption may promote diseases of civilization. Key findings surrounding milk microRNAs in human, cow and goat milk among other species and their biological properties, use as disease biomarkers, consequences of transfer between individuals or species, and their putative or verified functions in health and disease of infants and adult consumers are discussed.