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Functional capacity of colostral leukocytes from women delivering prematurely
L Schlesinger1, C Muñoz, M Arevalo
1Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago.
Insights
Colostral leukocytes from mothers of preterm infants show enhanced phagocytic activity compared to those from mothers of term infants. Both groups exhibit comparable bactericidal capacity and lymphocyte proliferation, suggesting robust immune function in preterm milk leukocytes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Colostrum provides crucial immune factors to newborns.
- The function of colostral leukocytes in preterm versus term deliveries requires detailed comparison.
- Understanding these differences is vital for neonatal immune support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the phagocytic, bactericidal, and metabolic activity of colostral leukocytes from mothers of preterm and term infants.
- To assess and compare the proliferative capacity of colostral lymphocytes in both groups.
- To determine if colostral immune cells differ in functionality based on gestational age at delivery.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and analysis of colostral leukocytes from mothers delivering preterm and term infants.
- Assay of phagocytic index using standardized methods.
- Evaluation of bactericidal capacity against Escherichia coli.
- Measurement of nitroblue tetrazolium reduction for metabolic activity.
- Assessment of lymphocyte proliferative response to mitogens.
Main Results:
- Adherent colostral leukocytes from preterm mothers demonstrated a significantly higher phagocytic index (5.4 ± 0.5) compared to term mothers (2.7 ± 0.2).
- Bactericidal capacity against Escherichia coli and nitroblue tetrazolium reduction were comparable between preterm and term colostral leukocytes.
- Lymphocyte proliferative responses were equivalent in colostrum from both preterm and term mothers.
Conclusions:
- Colostral leukocytes from mothers delivering preterm infants exhibit superior phagocytic capabilities.
- The overall antimicrobial and immune-modulatory functions of colostral leukocytes are robust in both preterm and term deliveries.
- These findings suggest that colostrum from preterm mothers provides potent immune support to preterm neonates.
Abstract:
The phagocytic, bactericidal, and metabolic activity of colostral leukocytes from mothers delivering preterm infants was compared with that of colostral leukocytes from mothers of term infants. In addition, the proliferative capacity of colostral lymphocytes was compared. Preterm adherent colostral leukocytes had a significantly higher phagocytic index than term colostral adherent leukocytes. Mean +/- SEM values were 5.4 +/- 0.5 versus 2.7 +/- 0.2, respectively (p less than 0.001). Bactericidal capacity against Escherichia coli and nitroblue tetrazolium reduction of preterm and term colostral leukocytes were comparable. Lymphocyte proliferative response was equivalent in preterm and term milk. We conclude that colostral leukocytes from preterm mothers are at least as functional in their antimicrobial activity and possibly phagocytose even better than the colostral cells of mothers of term infants.