title: Gene expression in breastmilk cells is associated with maternal and infant characteristics.
abstract: Breastmilk is a rich source of cells with a heterogeneous composition comprising early-stage stem cells, progenitors and more differentiated cells. The gene expression profiles of these cells and their associations with characteristics of the breastfeeding mother and infant are poorly understood. This study investigated factors associated with the cellular dynamics of breastmilk and explored variations amongst women. Genes representing different breastmilk cell populations including mammary epithelial and myoepithelial cells, progenitors, and multi-lineage stem cells showed great variation in expression. Stem cell markers ESRRB and CK5, myoepithelial marker CK14, and lactocyte marker α-lactalbumin were amongst the genes most highly expressed across all samples tested. Genes exerting similar functions, such as either stem cell regulation or milk production, were found to be closely associated. Infant gestational age at delivery and changes in maternal bra cup size between pre-pregnancy and postpartum lactation were associated with expression of genes controlling stemness as well as milk synthesis. Additional correlations were found between genes and dyad characteristics, which may explain abnormalities related to low breastmilk supply or preterm birth. Our findings highlight the heterogeneity of breastmilk cell content and its changes associated with characteristics of the breastfeeding dyad that may reflect changing infant needs.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Alecia-Jane
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Twigger
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Anna R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hepworth
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Ching Tat
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, 3010 Old Clinic Building, CB 7615, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chetwynd
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, 3010 Old Clinic Building, CB 7615, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Alison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Stuebe
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, 120 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA [2] Cancer Epigenetics group, the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, and School of Anatomy, Physiology and human Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blancafort
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Donna T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Geddes
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Foteini
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kakulas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019070:Cell Lineage; D003710:Demography; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D053547:Keratin-14 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053555:Keratin-5 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007768:Lactalbumin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007774:Lactation; D008297:Male; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000166:cytology; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000166:cytology*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D059467:Transcriptome
chemical_list: C490918:ESRRB protein, human; D053547:Keratin-14; D053555:Keratin-5; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D007768:Lactalbumin