“…Molecular attributes of stratification and compartmentalization are largely found in HM containing mucins, large amounts of AMPs and IgA as well as diverse immune cell types, which can evolve across lactation and respond to mother or infant infection (Schroten, 2001; Hassiotou et al, 2013b; Trend et al, 2015a; Donovan, 2019). This was illustrated by several biochemical and proteomic studies, as well as the more recent flow cytometry-based cell analysis of fresh HM samples across the world (Patton, 2001; Ballard and Morrow, 2013; Hassiotou et al, 2013a; Wada and Lonnerdal, 2014; Brunser, 2018). Hence, microbiota found in the resting mammary gland or HM might impact molecular and cellular processes behind stratification and compartmentalization resulting in a mucosal-like immune system organization in mammary tissue.…”