Normal Breast Milk Limits the Development of Colitis in IL-10-Deficient Mice.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the role of breast milk in neonatal bacterial colonization of the colon and disease progression in IL-10-deficient mice.


METHODS
IL-10-deficient mice were cross-fostered at birth and raised until weaning with a normal mother. Results were compared with normal pups cross-fostered to an IL-10-deficient mother. Mice were examined at various ages for histologic disease, levels of colonic bacteria, and proinflammatory cytokine secretion.


RESULTS
IL-10-deficient mice that had been cross-fostered to a normal mother demonstrated normal levels of colonic adherent bacteria and reduced TNFalpha and IFN gamma secretion at 2 to 12 weeks of age. Histologic disease was significantly reduced up to 12 weeks of age. Normal mice cross-fostered to an IL-10-deficient mother had increased levels of adherent bacteria at 2 and 4 weeks and increased IFN gamma secretion. This group also demonstrated slight inflammation up until 12 weeks of age.


CONCLUSIONS
Breast milk has a role in neonatal bacterial colonization. Changing the luminal environment of IL-10-deficient mice during the neonatal period alters the natural disease course.
Madsen
Karen L
KL
Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. karen.madsen@ualberta.ca
Fedorak
Richard N
RN
Tavernini
Michele M
MM
Doyle
Jason S
JS
D000818:Animals; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D003092:Colitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D016998:Helicobacter / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000172:deficiency*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008892:Milk; D013997:Time Factors
D016207:Cytokines; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D016753:Interleukin-10