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Activated and memory T lymphocytes in human milk.
D P Wirt1, L T Adkins, K H Palkowetz
1Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.
Human milk (HM) contains activated T cells, with higher CD8+ T cells and recent activation markers (HLA-DR+, IL-2R+) compared to peripheral blood. This suggests immune cells in HM are primed for infant protection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neonatal Health
- Human Milk Research
Background:
- Human milk (HM) contains immune cells, including macrophages and cytokines.
- The activation status of T cells within HM is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether T cells in human milk exhibit phenotypic markers of recent or previous activation.
- To compare T cell activation markers in HM to peripheral blood.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze T cell populations in HM collected during the first 3 days of lactation.
- Paint-a-Gate program optimized lymphocyte gating.
- T cells (CD3+) were identified and analyzed for activation markers HLA-DR+ and IL-2R+.
Main Results:
- T cells constituted 83% of HM lymphocytes, with a decreased CD4/CD8 ratio compared to peripheral blood.
- Significantly higher proportions of HM T cells expressed recent activation markers: HLA-DR+ (85% vs 10%) and IL-2R+ (15% vs 6%).
- HM T cells showed a higher percentage of CD8+ CD3+ cells compared to peripheral blood.
Conclusions:
- T cells in early lactation human milk display phenotypic markers indicative of recent activation.
- The increased presence of activated CD8+ T cells in HM may play a role in neonatal immune defense.
- These findings highlight the dynamic immune properties of human milk.
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