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Characterization of immunocompetent cells in human milk of Han Chinese
Ying-Ying Jin1, Wei Zhao, Rui-Ming Cao
1Department of Pediatrics, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Insights
This study characterized immune cells in breast milk, finding that atopy and cesarean delivery alter lymphocyte phenotypes in colostrum. These factors impact natural killer (NK) cells and T cells, crucial for infant immunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Human Lactation Biology
Background:
- Colostrum and mature breast milk contain immunocompetent cells vital for infant immune development.
- Understanding the characteristics of these cells is crucial for assessing infant health and maternal factors influencing milk composition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize immunocompetent cells in colostrum and mature breast milk of Chinese women.
- To investigate the association between maternal atopy, delivery mode (cesarean section vs. vaginal delivery), and lymphocyte phenotypes in breast milk.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of total cell numbers and lymphocyte subtypes (NK cells, T cells) in colostrum and mature breast milk from 64 Chinese women.
- Flow cytometry was used to assess cell surface markers (CD40L, CD25, CD45RA, CD45RO) on T cells.
- Comparison of cell populations between mothers with and without atopy, and between vaginal and cesarean deliveries.
Main Results:
- Total cell numbers were significantly higher in colostrum than mature breast milk.
- Natural killer (NK) cells were the predominant lymphocyte subtype in colostrum.
- Maternal atopy was associated with lower percentages of NK cells and absolute CD4(+)CD45RO(+) T cells in colostrum.
- Cesarean delivery was linked to reduced absolute numbers and CD40L expression of CD4(+) T lymphocytes in breast milk.
Conclusions:
- Maternal atopy and cesarean delivery are associated with altered lymphocyte phenotypes in human colostrum.
- These findings highlight potential impacts on the transfer of immune protection to infants via breast milk.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of these alterations for infant health.
Abstract:
Immunocompetent cells in colostrum and mature breast milk (42 days after delivery) of 64 Chinese females of Han ethnic background were characterized. The total cell numbers in colostrum and mature breast milk were 593 ± 205 × 10(6)/L and 1.74 ± 0.97 × 10(6)/L, respectively. NK cell is the predominant lymphocyte subtype (12.69%). T cells in colostrum express CD40L and CD25 without stimulation, indicating memory T cells in nature. The CD45RA( +)CD45RO(+) subsets of CD4(+) T cells are present in both colostrum and mature human milk. The percentage of NK cells and the absolute number of CD4(+)CD45RO(+) T cells in colostrum of atopic mothers were significantly lower than those of mothers without atopy (P = .006 and .026, respectively). The absolute numbers of CD4( +) T lymphocytes and their expression of CD40L were significantly reduced in breast milk of mothers who had undergone cesarean section versus vaginal delivery (P < .05), indicating that atopy and cesarean delivery are associated with the phenotypes of lymphocytes in colostrum.
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