ISSN:
1573-7039
Keywords:
Human milk
;
mammary gland
;
cytokines
;
immunology
;
infancy
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Epidemiologic and immunologic studies of breastfed and nonbreastfed infants and investigations of certain biologic activities in human milk led to the identification of immunomodulating agents in human milk. Among them were the cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β); IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, epithelial growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α), and TGF-β2. Inteferon-γ may originate from T cells in milk; EGF, TGF-α, TGF-β, M-CSF, IL-6, and IL-8 may be produced by mammary gland epithelium. Based upon their known functions, we hypothesize that cytokines influence the development and immunologic function of the mammary gland and the neonate. Thosein vivo functions remain to be defined by future investigations.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02018078
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