Cytokine profiling in human colostrum and milk by protein array.
BACKGROUND
Human colostrum and milk contain components that influence development. Our aim was to use a protein array to determine the cytokine profile of human lacteal secretions and changes that occur during the early postpartum period.


METHODS
We collected 17 samples of colostrum during the first 2 days postpartum and a 2nd group of 5 sets of 2 to 3 sequential colostrum or milk samples (at 20- to 30-h intervals). We analyzed the samples with array membranes consisting of 42 or 79 antibodies directed against cytokines.


RESULTS
In most samples, we detected the previously described cytokines interleukin-8 (IL-8)/CXCL8, epidermal growth factor (EGF), growth-related oncoprotein (GRO)/CXCL1-3, angiogenin, transforming growth factor beta-2, and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1/CCL2). In addition, we found 32 cytokines that have not been described before in colostrum. Cytokine concentrations differed among mothers, and the spectrum of cytokines changed with time after delivery. A significant decrease occurred in IL-12 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1delta/CCL15 and a significant increase in MCP-1/CCL2. The production of angiogenin, vascular endothelial growth factor, GRO/CXCL1-3, EGF, and IL-8/CXCL8 remained high throughout. The concentrations of 2 selected cytokines measured with the array technique and ELISA showed moderate to strong correlation (r = 0.63 for EGF and r = 0.84 for IL-8/CXCL8).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the lack of precise quantification, the protein array might be suitable for cytokine screening. It allows simultaneous detection of a broad spectrum of cytokines (including those not described before) in lacteal secretions.
Kverka
Miloslav
M
Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic. kverka@biomed.cas.cz
Burianova
Jaroslava
J
Lodinova-Zadnikova
Raja
R
Kocourkova
Ingrid
I
Cinova
Jana
J
Tuckova
Ludmila
L
Tlaskalova-Hogenova
Helena
H
D000328:Adult; D018925:Chemokines / Q000032:analysis; D003126:Colostrum / Q000737:chemistry*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D040081:Protein Array Analysis; D040901:Proteomics; D013997:Time Factors
D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins