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Breast milk contains relevant neurotrophic factors and cytokines for enteric nervous system development

Michael Fichter1, Markus Klotz, David L Hirschberg

  • 1Department of Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, Amerikastrasse 1, Zweibrücken, Germany.

Molecular Nutrition & Food Research
|August 3, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Human breast milk contains growth factors and cytokines that promote the development of the enteric nervous system (ENS). These milk-borne proteins support neurite outgrowth and enhance the survival of enteric neurons and glial cells.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Breastfeeding is crucial for newborn development, with premature infants lacking breast milk facing higher risks of diseases like necrotizing enterocolitis.
  • The enteric nervous system (ENS) development is vital for gut function, and its postnatal maturation is influenced by various factors.
  • Human breast milk is a complex biological fluid containing numerous bioactive components.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the presence and concentration of neurotrophic factors and cytokines in human breast milk.
  • To investigate the effects of breast milk protein extracts on the development of the enteric nervous system (ENS) in vitro.
  • To assess the impact of breast milk components on neurite outgrowth, neuron survival, and glial cell proliferation.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of glial cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) using ELISA.
  • Quantification of various cytokines in breast milk samples.
  • Culture of rat myenteric neurons with breast milk protein extracts.
  • Measurement of neurite outgrowth, neuron survival, and nestin expression in glial cells.

Main Results:

  • Neurotrophic factors and cytokines were detected in all analyzed breast milk samples at variable concentrations.
  • Breast milk protein extracts significantly increased the survival and neurite outgrowth of cultured enteric neurons.
  • Incubation with breast milk protein extracts led to a significant increase in nestin and S100-expressing glial cells.

Conclusions:

  • Human breast milk contains essential neurotrophic factors and cytokines that support the development of the enteric nervous system (ENS).
  • Milk-borne proteins play a supportive role in promoting neurite outgrowth, neuron survival, and glial cell proliferation, crucial for ENS maturation.
  • These findings highlight the importance of breast milk in the postnatal development of the neonatal gut.

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