title: Cytokines in human breast milk.
abstract: In early life humans derive all their nutrients from milk. Human milk provides the neonate with not only a food source but also a source of biologically active molecules such as hormones, growth factors and cytokines. Cytokines are multifunctional glycoproteins involved in cell communication and immune system activation. Two of these cytokines, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), are present in variable concentrations in human milk. We measured G-CSF and IL-6 concentrations in healthy nursing mothers. The 30 milk samples assayed contained G-CSF levels from 14 pg/mL to > 2500 pg/mL. Of the 28 milk samples assayed for IL-6, 24 contained levels from 0.81 pg/mL to 306 pg/ mL. The remainder had levels below the detection limit of the assay. These biologically active molecules may play a role in neonatal growth and development, and may also protect the infant against infection.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster at Coleraine, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, UK.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Loane
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kell
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Millar
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Gillmore
mesh_terms: D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor