Identification of macrophage colony-stimulating factor in human milk and mammary gland epithelial cells.
Human milk contains cellular and soluble host-protective components. Macrophages in human milk constitute a major cellular component in contrast to those in the peripheral blood. We have investigated a mechanism of local expansion of macrophages in human milk. First, biologically active macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) was identified in human milk. The maximal concentrations of M-CSF in human milk were 10- to 100-fold higher than those in the serum. The concentrations of M-CSF in the milk had no correlation with those in the serum. M-CSF was immunohistochemically detected in the epithelial cells of the ducts and alveoli of the mammary gland. In situ hybridization study confirmed the local synthesis of M-CSF in the mammary gland epithelial cells. A possible role of female sex steroids was discussed in the regulation of M-CSF production by mammary gland epithelial cells.
Hara
T
T
Department of Child Neurology, Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago, Japan.
Irie
K
K
Saito
S
S
Ichijo
M
M
Yamada
M
M
Yanai
N
N
Miyazaki
S
S
D000328:Adult; D001940:Breast / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000032:analysis*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D013256:Steroids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D013256:Steroids; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor