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A longitudinal study of gamma-interferon production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from breast- and bottle-fed
Insights
Infant peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) show fully developed gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) production at birth. This innate immune potential is unaffected by breastfeeding or bottle-feeding and is comparable to adult levels.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neonatal Immunology
- Cellular Immunology
Background:
- Infant immune responses are crucial for fighting infections.
- Gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) is a key cytokine in cellular immunity.
- Understanding early immune development is vital for infant health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro production of gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) by infant peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).
- To compare gamma-IFN production in breast-fed versus bottle-fed infants.
- To assess the influence of age (birth to 9 months) and feeding method on infant immune cell function.
Main Methods:
- Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from breast-fed and bottle-fed infants (n=15 each) from birth to 9 months.
- Cells were cultured in a serum-free medium using a Terasaki plate microculture system.
- PBMC were stimulated with staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) to induce gamma-interferon production.
- Gamma-interferon levels were quantified using an immunoradiometric assay.
Main Results:
- Cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) and infant PBMC demonstrated robust gamma-interferon secretion.
- Gamma-IFN production levels remained consistent from birth to 9 months of age.
- Infant gamma-IFN production was comparable to that of adult cells.
- Slightly higher, though not statistically significant, gamma-IFN levels were observed in bottle-fed infants compared to breast-fed infants.
Conclusions:
- The capacity for gamma-interferon secretion by PBMC is fully developed at birth in term infants.
- Breast-feeding or bottle-feeding does not significantly alter the innate potential for gamma-IFN production.
- Infant susceptibility to infections is not due to a deficiency in the intrinsic gamma-IFN-producing capacity of their cells.
Abstract:
Production of gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) in vitro by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 15 breast-fed and 15 bottle-fed infants has been studied from birth to 9 months of age and compared with production by adult cells. Using a Terasaki plate microculture system with serum-free medium, PBMC were stimulated with staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) and gamma-IFN production was assessed by an immunoradiometric assay. Cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) and PBMC from all infants secreted large quantities of gamma-IFN. The levels secreted did not change significantly with age over the 9 months of the study, nor did they differ from the levels secreted by adult cells. Cells from the bottle-fed infants secreted slightly more gamma-IFN than cells from breast-fed infants, but this difference was not significant. These results indicate that the potential for PBMC to secrete gamma-IFN in vitro is fully developed at birth in full-term infants and cannot therefore be further influenced by subsequent breast- or bottle-feeding. In addition, the greater susceptibility of infants than adults to certain bacterial and viral infections cannot be attributed to a deficiency in the potential of infant cells to secrete gamma-IFN in vitro.