Chapter 13 - Isolation and Separation of Human Colostral and Milk Cells

Abstract

Human colostrum and milk contain humoral and cellular factors that are important to the immunological protection of the newborn. These humoral components include immunoglobulins of all isotypes, lysozyme, lactoperoxidase, lactoferrin, interferons, and complement factors. The function of colostral cells is not fully understood. It has been suggested that colostral T lymphocytes or their products may confer cell-mediated hypersensitivity to the infant. In addition, T cells from colostrum have been reported to function in cell-mediated immunity, lymphokine production, and to proliferate in response to allogeneic, antigenic, or mitogenic stimulation. Purified cell types are required for the morphological and functional characterization of colostral cells. However, unusual physical characteristics present special problems to the separation and isolation of colostral populations. This chapter discusses the various methods used by the investigators to separate colostral cell populations and to delineate the efficiency and drawbacks of each. Adherence is the most commonly used method for the separation of colostral cell populations. It takes advantage of the ability of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and macrophages to adhere to glass or plastic surfaces.