Signaling pathway may explain how transition from milk to solid food shapes immune system development

MedicalXpress | août 04, 2026

The early period of life is a critical phase in which the immune system must learn to tolerate harmless environmental stimuli, such as food and microbes that normally live in and on the body, while remaining vigilant against harmful substances and pathogens. If it fails to strike the right balance, the individual may become more susceptible later in life to allergies and autoimmune diseases. During this sensitive window, the transition from breastfeeding to solid food represents a crucial shift, including in its effects on the immune system.