Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation
Published on: February 15, 2018
Factors in ruminant colostrum that influence cell growth and murine IgE antibody responses
D L Watson1, G L Francis, F J Ballard
1CSIRO Division of Animal Health, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia.
Insights
Bovine colostrum contains potent cell-growth factors that stimulate mammalian cells in culture. It also possesses immunomodulatory factors that can regulate immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody responses in mice.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Bovine colostrum is a rich source of bioactive molecules.
- Its potential for stimulating cell growth and modulating immune responses requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize cell-growth factors in bovine colostrum.
- To evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of bovine colostrum on IgE antibody responses.
Main Methods:
- Bovine colostrum extract was purified using cation exchange and reversed-phase chromatography.
- Cell growth stimulation was assessed using L6 rat myoblasts, Balb/c-3T3 mouse fibroblasts, and BHK-21 cells.
- Immunomodulatory effects were studied in a murine model by measuring IgE antibody responses.
Main Results:
- Bovine colostrum extract demonstrated potent cell-growth factor activity, comparable or superior to fetal bovine serum.
- Gel-permeation chromatography identified specific cell-growth factors for different cell types.
- Bovine colostrum extract effectively suppressed IgE antibody responses in mice at specific dosages.
Conclusions:
- Bovine colostrum is a valuable source of both cell-growth factors and immunomodulatory compounds.
- These factors can stimulate mammalian cell proliferation and regulate IgE responses in a heterologous species.
Abstract:
Bovine colostrum was investigated as a source of biologically active molecules capable of stimulating the growth of mammalian cells in culture and modifying the immune response in a murine model. An extract prepared from bovine colostral whey by cation exchange and reversed-phase chromatography stimulated the growth of L6 rat myoblasts, Balb/c-3T3 mouse fibroblasts and BHK-21 baby hamster kidney cells with equal or greater potency than fetal bovine serum. Fractionation of the bovine colostral extract by gel-permeation chromatography in M-acetic acid identified a number of cell-growth factors for each cell type. Bovine colostral extract was compared with an ovine colostral whey preparation for its ability to modulate IgE antibody responses in mice. Doses of 8 and 4 mg/d of ovine colostral whey or bovine colostral extract specifically suppressed IgE antibody responses, whereas at lower doses suppression did not occur. We conclude that bovine colostrum contains cell-growth factors as well as immunomodulatory factors that are able to regulate the IgE response in a heterologous species.
More Related Videos
06:15Characterization of Thymus-dependent and Thymus-independent Immunoglobulin Isotype Responses in Mice Using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay
Published on: September 7, 2018
13:00Intranasal Immunization and Milk Collection in Studies of Maternal Immunization in New Zealand White Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Published on: July 31, 2021
Related Concept Videos
01:15Transcytosis of IgG
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...
01:22Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...