Abstract
Human milk contains proteins and/or protein fragments that originate from nonhuman organisms. These proteinaceous molecules, of which the secretion might be related to the mother’s allergy status, could be involved in the development of the immune system of the infant. This may lead, for example, to sensitization or the induction of allergen-specific tolerance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between maternal allergy and the levels of nonhuman proteinaceous molecules in their milk. In this study, we analysed trypsin-digested human milk serum proteins of 10 allergic mothers and 10 nonallergic mothers. A search was carried out to identify peptide sequences originating from bovine or other allergenic proteins. Several methods were applied to confirm the identification of these sequences, and the differences between both groups were investigated. Out of the 78 identified nonhuman peptide sequences, 62 sequences matched Bos taurus proteins. Eight peptide sequences of bovine -lactoglobulin had significantly higher levels in milk from allergic mothers than in milk from nonallergic mothers. Dietary bovine -lactoglobulin may be absorbed through the intestinal barrier and secreted into human milk. This seems to be significantly higher in allergic mothers and might have consequences for the development of the immune system of their breastfed infant.
Highlights
The human milk proteome comprises more than once thought
Nutrients 2020, 12, 1169 the presence of two peptides originating from bovine β-lactoglobulin (BLG) and one originating from αS1 -casein [3]
Allergens were added to the database because of their immunological relevance and bovine milk proteins because the majority of the nonhuman proteinaceous molecules in human milk was previously shown to originate from bovine milk [2]
Summary
Besides a vast number of human proteins and peptides, it includes nonhuman intact proteins, large protein fragments, and peptides (later referred to as proteinaceous molecules). The presence of such molecules in human milk has been demonstrated decades ago with immunochemical analysis [1] and has recently been confirmed with mass spectrometry [2]. According to studies using mass spectrometry, the main biological source of the nonhuman proteinaceous molecules in human milk seems to be bovine milk. In addition to the bovine proteins and peptides, Zhu et al identified several peptide sequences originating from other nonhuman species, which may include allergens [2]. The presence of egg, wheat, and house dust mite (HDM)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
