title: Human colostrum and breast milk contain high levels of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a pleiotropic cytokine, which plays a key role in the immune system as well as in controlling the balance of apoptosis and proliferation in various organs and tissues.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the presence and levels of soluble TRAIL in human colostrum and milk.
  
  
  METHODS
  The levels of soluble human TRAIL were measured in human colostrum (day 2 after delivery) and breast milk (day 5 after delivery). The presence of TRAIL was also measured in infant formula.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Levels of soluble TRAIL in the colostrum and mature human milk were, respectively, at least 400 and 100 fold higher than those detected in human serum. No TRAIL was detected in formula.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Human soluble TRAIL is present at extremely high levels in human colostrum and human milk and might have a significant role in mediating the anti-cancer activity of human milk.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Davanzo
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zauli
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Monasta
authors.forename: Liza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vecchi Brumatti
authors.forename: Maria Valentina
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Abate
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ventura
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rimondi
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Secchiero
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Demarini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001034:Apgar Score; D003126:Colostrum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000737:chemistry; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand