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Published on: March 23, 2018
Circadian Variation of Immune Cell Populations in Preterm Human Milk: A Preliminary Study
María de la Soledad Lagunes-Castro1, Augusto Rafael Aguilera-Joaquín2, Mario Daniel Caba-Flores3
1LADISER Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Orizaba, Veracruz, México.
Insights
Transitional breast milk from premature mothers shows daily changes in immune cells and inflammatory substances. These findings reveal circadian rhythms in milk
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neonatology
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Breast milk contains vital nutritional and non-nutritional components for infant development.
- Some non-nutritional components in breast milk exhibit significant diurnal variations.
- Understanding these variations is crucial for neonatal care, especially for premature infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the circadian patterns of immune cell populations in transitional breast milk from premature infants.
- To analyze the diurnal variations of proinflammatory cytokines in the transitional milk of premature mothers.
- To correlate immune cell fluctuations with cytokine levels in breast milk.
Main Methods:
- Utilized flow cytometry to quantify various immune cell populations, including stem cells.
- Employed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to measure concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines.
- Collected transitional milk samples from premature mothers over a 24-hour period.
Main Results:
- Observed diurnal increases in CD23+, CD32+, CD36+, CD2+, and Tγδ cell populations.
- Noted nocturnal increases in CD16+, CD19+, and CD4+ cell populations.
- Found higher concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines in daytime milk samples compared to nighttime samples. CD3+ and CD8+ populations showed no significant rhythmic variation.
Conclusions:
- Transitional breast milk from premature mothers exhibits significant circadian rhythms in immune cell composition.
- Proinflammatory cytokine levels in breast milk also display diurnal fluctuations.
- These findings highlight the dynamic, time-dependent nature of breast milk's immunological components in preterm infants.
Abstract:
Breast milk contains both nutritional and non-nutritional components for the newborn, with some of the latter exhibiting marked diurnal variations in concentration. This study aimed to analyze the circadian behavior of specific immune cell populations and proinflammatory cytokines present in the transitional milk of premature infants. The study quantified cellular components, including stem and immune cells, using flow cytometry. Additionally, ELISA assays were employed to measure proinflammatory cytokine concentrations. Flow cytometry analyses revealed a diurnal rise in the percentage of CD23+, CD32+, CD36+, CD2+, and Tγδ cell populations. Conversely, nocturnal increases were observed in the percentage of CD16+, CD19+, and CD4+ populations. Notably, CD3+ and CD8+ populations did not exhibit any rhythmic variations. Proinflammatory cytokine concentrations were found to be higher in daytime milk samples compared to those collected at night. This study demonstrates rhythmic fluctuations in both immune cell populations and proinflammatory cytokine concentrations within the transitional milk of premature mothers.
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