title: Formula-feeding is associated with shift towards Th1 cytokines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Breast-feeding (BF) versus formula-feeding (FF) may be a factor for the development and differentiation of T-cell subsets and cytokine production in infancy and childhood. We therefore investigated T-cell subpopulations and their cytokine production by flow cytometry as well as cytokine levels in serum samples in breast-fed versus formula-fed infants and children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Heparinised blood was taken from 191 healthy infants and children. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with phorbol-mystriate-acetate and ionomycin in the presence of brefeldin. T-cell subsets and cytokines were determined by flow cytometry. Furthermore, serum concentrations of IFNγ and IL4 were measured using ELISA. An IFNγ/IL4 ratio was calculated to estimate the Th1/Th2 balance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children who were formula-fed show higher numbers of memory T and T helper cells. After stimulation, the number of IFNγ-positive memory T-cells was increased up to the age of 6 years. Breast-fed infants show higher percentages of IL4-positive T helper cells. At ELISA determination, formula-fed children showed higher IFNγ levels than breast-fed children, while IL4 levels did not differ. The IFNγ/IL4 ratio (FACS and ELISA) was elevated in formula-fed infants and children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This systematic analysis of cytokine profiles during childhood in dependency of BF allows a better understanding of immune maturation and demonstrates the influence of early feeding on immune function throughout childhood, even after cessation of BF. FF induces a shift towards Th1 cytokines in children. This may have an influence on the development of autoimmune disease in later life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Children's Hospital, Joseph-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Beate
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aulenbach
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wiegering
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eyrich
authors.forename: Paul-Gerhardt
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Schlegel
authors.forename: Verena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Wiegering
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D015551:Autoimmunity; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D058408:Th1-Th2 Balance
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; C573415:IFNG protein, human; C508598:IL4 protein, human; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma