Do milk-borne cytokines and hormones influence neonatal immune cell function?
Cytokines, growth factors and various hormones collectively control the proliferation, survival, differentiation and function of immune cells. A wide array of these compounds is present in maternal milk and ingested by neonates during a period of rapid maturation of gut-associated and peripheral lymphoid tissues. The functional consequences of most milk immunomodulatory constituents in neonates are unknown. However, there is evidence that milk prolactin acts as a developmental regulator of the neonatal immune system, supporting the premise that milk constituents with immunomodulatory activity may serve as neonatal immunodevelopment agents.
Ellis
L A
LA
Department of Nutrition, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802, USA.
Mastro
A M
AM
Picciano
M F
MF
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D006728:Hormones / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000254:growth & development*; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000276:immunology*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology
D016207:Cytokines; D006728:Hormones; D011388:Prolactin