Based on our prior miR sequencing (Table S3), we propose that the downregulation of inflammatory cytokines and programmed cell death could be attributed to abundant miRs common to both term and preterm HM EVs, which also include miRs that are significantly downregulated in NEC.88 HM EV miRs were predicted to directly target IL-1 and IL-18, Gasdermin D, and upstream regulators of the inflammasome – NEK7, MYD88, and TLR4 (Fig. 7e). This evidence concerns the gene NEK7 and necrotizing enterocolitis.