title: Phenotype of T cells, their soluble receptor levels, and cytokine profile of human breast milk.
abstract: Human breast milk has important immunoprotective and immunosuppressive functions for an infant. The purpose of this study was to extend the phenotype of milk cells and to measure soluble T cell receptor levels and cytokines in milk, and to compare these with neonatal and adult blood. Milk T cells had a more equivalent CD4:CD8 ratio than blood; milk CD4 T cells mainly expressed the CD45RO (antigen primed/memory) phenotype; milk CD8 cells had an equivalent CD11b:CD28 suppressor:cytotoxic phenotype; and milk T cells had 2-3-fold higher percentages of activated CD4 IL-2R and CD8 HML-1 or CD8 VLA-1 cells than blood. Soluble IL-2R, CD4 and CD8 concentrations were lower in milk than adult blood, although relatively increased when compared to the lower T cell concentration in milk. Breast milk contained high levels of IFN-gamma but low levels of other measured cytokines compared to blood. These distinct differences of T cells and their soluble products are likely to influence an infant's immune system.
authors: Gastroenterology Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville South, Adelaide, Australia.
authors: B A
authors: BA
authors: Eglinton
authors: D M
authors: DM
authors: Roberton
authors: A G
authors: AG
authors: Cummins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis*; D012995:Solubility; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D007371:Interferon-gamma