Clinical Report: Changes in Immune Cell Composition in Human Milk Throughout Different Stages of Lactation
Overview
This study investigates the dynamic changes in immune cell composition in human milk across different lactation stages. Key findings indicate distinct transcriptional profiles of immune cells and soluble mediators.
Background
Human milk is crucial for neonatal health, providing essential nutrients and immunological protection during a period of heightened infection susceptibility. Understanding the composition of immune cells in human milk and how it evolves from colostrum to mature milk is important.
Data Highlights
No numerical data available in the source material.
Key Findings
Human milk contains transcriptionally distinct immune and epithelial cell populations compared to maternal peripheral blood.
Colostrum is enriched with neutrophil-associated antimicrobial transcriptional programs.
Later lactation stages show increased effector-memory-associated T-cell transcriptional signatures.
Soluble immune mediator profiles change, with early cytokines like CXCL8 and CXCL13 declining, while IL-7 increases in mature milk.
Cell–cell communication analysis reveals lactocyte-associated signaling pathways that differ across lactation stages.
Clinical Implications
The immune composition of human milk varies significantly across lactation stages.
Conclusion
This study highlights the dynamic nature of human milk as an immune environment, with substantial changes in cellular and soluble components across lactation stages.
by Jia Ming Low, Melissa Shu Feng Ng, Chen-Shi Lin, Jian-Zhou Cui, Meera K. Shenoy, Sheau Yng Lim, Lu-Yi Ng, Si Min Lang, Wai-Chung Ong, Tamanna Ferdous, Rashi Gupta, Tanusya Murali Murali, Isabelle Tan, Karishma Sachaphibulkij, Yung-Seng Lee, Paul A MacAry
