Colostrum and breast milk cytokines in sensitized women

Abstract

There is some evidence to suggest that colostrum/breast milk immunological composition have potential in infant gut immunity modulation early in life. Objective. To assess levels of cytokines in colostrum and breast milk in atopic and non-atopic mothers, and in those, who have self-reported allergy. Patients and methods. 277 Moscow women were recruited as a part of an International (Great Britain, Russia, Italy) study assessing immune composition of colostrum and breast milk. Skin prick-tests were used to assess sensitization in recruited women. Electrochemiluminiscence of colostrum and breast milk samples for HGF, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, TGF β1, TGF β2, TGF β3 was performed in a Flow Cytometry Lab, Imperial College London. Results. In 19,4% of Moscow women a sensitization to one or more allergens was revealed. According to univariate analysis colostrum and/or breast milk levels of TGF β1, TGF β3, HGF, IL-5, IL-10 and IFN-γ were higher in sensitized women. No difference in IL-2, IL-4, IL-12, IL-13, TGF β2 levels was revealed in relation to sensitization. Conclusion. Cytokine and growth factors differences of colostrum and breast milk samples from Moscow women allow to assume the lack of IL-4 and IL-13 shift of cytokine and growth factors in relation to sensitization.