Exploring Human Milk Dynamics: Interindividual Variation in Milk Proteome, Peptidome, and Metabolome.

Pieter M Dekker,Jacques J M Vervoort,Sjef Boeren,Johannes B Van Goudoever,Kasper A Hettinga

doi:10.1021/acs.jproteome.1c00879

Pieter M Dekker, Jacques J M Vervoort + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jproteome.1c00879

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Abstract

Human milk is a dynamic biofluid, and its detailed composition receives increasing attention. While most studies focus on changes over time or differences between maternal characteristics, interindividual variation receives little attention. Nevertheless, a comprehensive insight into this can help interpret human milk studies and help human milk banks provide targeted milk for recipients. This study aimed to map interindividual variation in the human milk proteome, peptidome, and metabolome and to investigate possible explanations for this variation. A set of 286 milk samples was collected from 29 mothers in the third month postpartum. Samples were pooled per mother, and proteins, peptides, and metabolites were analyzed. A substantial coefficient of variation (>100%) was observed for 4.6% and 36.2% of the proteins and peptides, respectively. In addition, using weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), 5 protein and 11 peptide clusters were obtained, showing distinct characteristics. With this, several associations were found between the different data sets and with specific sample characteristics. This study provides insight into the dynamics of human milk protein, peptide, and metabolite composition. In addition, it will support future studies that evaluate the effect size of a parameter of interest by enabling a comparison with natural variability.

Highlights

IntroductionFor example, lactation stage and health status of the mother
We investigated the variation in human milk proteome, peptidome, and metabolome in pooled human milk samples from 29 healthy mothers taken in the third month of lactation
In this study, pooled human milk samples were used to investigate the interindividual variation in proteome, peptidome, and metabolome

Summary

Introduction

For example, lactation stage and health status of the mother. Proteins are one of the main constituents of human milk and have been shown to be involved in the growth and the healthy development of the infant. The composition of the human milk proteome is well established. The most recent studies on this have reported up to 1500 proteins in human milk.[1] Part of the proteins in human milk are synthesized in the mammary gland, for instance, caseins and α-lactalbumin. A vast number of proteins are transferred into the alveolar lumen from the systemic circulation of the mother.[2] Among these are for example albumin, immunoglobulin G, and even nonhuman proteins.[3,4]

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