Influence of breast milk polyamines on suckling rat immune system maturation
Francisco J Pérez-Cano1, Ana González-Castro, Cristina Castellote
1Departament de Fisiologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Insights
Breast milk polyamines, including spermine (SPM) and spermidine (SPD), significantly enhance the development of the immune system in rat pups. Supplementation improved both intestinal and systemic immunity, suggesting a crucial role for these compounds.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Breast milk contains polyamines such as spermine (SPM) and spermidine (SPD).
- Post-natal immune system development is critical for long-term health.
- The specific role of breast milk polyamines in immune maturation requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of spermine (SPM) and spermidine (SPD) supplementation on the post-natal maturation of the systemic and intestinal immune system in rats.
- To determine how polyamine intake influences immune cell populations and function during early development.
Main Methods:
- Rat pups were supplemented daily with SPM or SPD from birth.
- Phenotypic characterization of small intestine intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL), lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL), and splenocytes was performed at postnatal days 5, 11, and 18.
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze immune cell populations and maturation markers.
Main Results:
- Spermine (SPM) and, to a lesser extent, spermidine (SPD) accelerated the maturation of CD8+ intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL).
- Polyamines enhanced the presence of intraepithelial natural killer (NK) cells and IEL associated with specific immune responses in the small intestine.
- Supplementation increased mature CD4+ lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL), promoted early splenic B cell presence, and later NK cell emergence, without affecting Ig-secretory function.
Conclusions:
- Breast milk polyamines (SPM and SPD) play a beneficial role in promoting the maturation of the rat intestinal and systemic immune system.
- These findings highlight the importance of polyamines in early life immunity and suggest potential nutritional strategies for immune support.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to ascertain whether the supplementation of polyamines present in breast milk, i.e. spermine (SPM) and spermidine (SPD), influenced the post-natal maturation of the systemic and intestinal immune system in rats. From birth, pups daily received SPM or SPD. At 5, 11 and 18 days old, small intestine intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL), lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL) and splenocytes were phenotypically characterized. SPM and, less evidently, SPD accelerated the maturation of CD8+ IEL, and enhanced the presence of intraepithelial NK cells and IEL related with specific immune responses on the proximal and distal small intestine, respectively. Polyamines increased the percentage of more mature CD4+ LPL and enhanced the early presence of splenic B cells and, later, that of NK cells. However, no effect on Ig-secretory function was detected. These results suggest that breast milk polyamines improve the maturation of the rat intestinal and systemic immune system.
