title: Lactation-related microRNA expression profiles of porcine breast milk exosomes.
abstract: Breast milk is the primary source of nutrition for newborns, and is rich in immunological components. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are present in various body fluids and are selectively packaged inside the exosomes, a type of membrane vesicles, secreted by most cell types. These exosomal miRNAs could be actively delivered into recipient cells, and could regulate target gene expression and recipient cell function. Here, we analyzed the lactation-related miRNA expression profiles in porcine milk exosomes across the entire lactation period (newborn to 28 days after birth) by a deep sequencing. We found that immune-related miRNAs are present and enriched in breast milk exosomes (p<10(-16), χ(2) test) and are generally resistant to relatively harsh conditions. Notably, these exosomal miRNAs are present in higher numbers in the colostrums than in mature milk. It was higher in the serum of colostrum-only fed piglets compared with the mature milk-only fed piglets. These immune-related miRNA-loaded exosomes in breast milk may be transferred into the infant body via the digestive tract. These observations are a prelude to in-depth investigations of the essential roles of breast milk in the development of the infant's immune system.
authors.affiliation: Sichuan Animal Science Academy, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Yiren
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Mingzhou
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Zhijun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Qiulei
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Zhiping
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Xiaohui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jianjun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Xiaolian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Xuewei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xuebin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lv
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003126:Colostrum / Q000378:metabolism; D055354:Exosomes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D007774:Lactation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008892:Milk / Q000378:metabolism*; D013552:Swine / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs