Can altered colostrum miRNA expression profile after cesarean delivery be a risk factor for autoimmune diseases?

The cesarean section (CS) rate has increased significantly in North America, Western Europe, and Latin America. However, it has been reported that the incidence of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as asthma and type 1 diabetes increased in parallel with CS in these countries. Our aim was to investigate the expression level of miRNAs associated with inflammatory response and autoimmune diseases in colostrum samples and contribute to elucidating the role of CS in the pathogenesis of immune system-related diseases.

Colostrum samples were taken from voluntary mothers who had 40 normal and 50 cesarean births. miRNAs were extracted from colostrums and detected to miRNA expression profiling (eighty-four miRNAs) by quantitative real-time PCR with the Fluidigm integrated microfluidic circuit technology.

There was a statistically significant change in the expression levels of 17 miRNAs in the colostrums of mothers who had normal and cesarean delivery (p < .05), and all of miRNAs were upregulated in the colostrums of mothers who have had cesarean delivery.

Our best knowledge is that the study we conducted was the first to investigate the effect of delivery method (CS or normal) on the miRNA profile of colostrum. Cesarean delivery is a potential risk factor for inflammatory and immune system-related diseases in children due to dysregulation in miRNA expression.