Protective Factors in Milk and the Development of the Immune System

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 172-176
Author(s):  
Lars Å. Hanson ◽  
Staffan Ahlstedt ◽  
Bengt Andersson ◽  
Barbro Carlsson ◽  
Sven P. Fällström ◽  
...  

The neonate is immature in certain immunologic functions. The slow development of secretory immunoglobin A (IgA) seems to be compensated by selective transfer of secretory IgM into exocrine secretions on mucous membranes during the first few months of life. Secretory IgA and secretory IgM antibodies against Escherichia coli and poliovirus are already found in the neonate, possibly in response to the maternal anti-idiotypic IgG antibodies transplacentally exposing the fetus. Via such a mechanism, food antibodies could occur before direct food exposure in the infant. Human milk provides large amounts of antibodies (as a crude comparison, about 50 times the amount of antibodies given to a patient with hypogammaglobulinemia). The milk antibodies, dominated by secretory IgA, protect especially against intestinal infections. The milk also contains oligosaccharide analogues to epithelial receptors for bacteria. They, as well as a number of milk components such as lactoferrin and lysozyme, may contribute to host defense. The food antibodies in human milk may influence the infant's immune response to foreign food proteins introduced during weaning.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronique Demers-Mathieu ◽  
Ciera DaPra ◽  
Gabrielle Mathijssen ◽  
David A. Sela ◽  
Kirsi M. Järvinen ◽  
...  

Background: Preexisting immunity to SARS-CoV-2 could be related to cross-reactive antibodies to common human-coronaviruses (HCoVs). This study aimed to evaluate whether human milk antibodies against to S1 and S2 subunits SARS-CoV-2 are cross-reactive to S1 and S2 subunits HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-229E in mothers with a confirmed COVID-19 PCR test, in mothers with previous viral symptoms during COVID-19 pandemic, and in unexposed mothers; Methods: The levels of secretory IgA (SIgA)/IgA, secretory IgM (SIgM)/IgM, and IgG specific to S1 and S2 SARS-CoV-2, and reactive to S1 + S2 HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-229E were measured in milk from 7 mothers with a confirmed COVID-19 PCR test, 20 mothers with viral symptoms, and unexposed mothers (6 Ctl1-2018 and 16 Ctl2-2018) using ELISA; Results: The S2 SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels were higher in the COVID-19 PCR (p = 0.014) and viral symptom (p = 0.040) groups than in the Ctl1-2018 group. We detected a higher number of positive correlations between the antigens and secretory antibodies in the COVID-19 PCR group than in the viral symptom and Ctl-2018 groups. S1 + S2 HCoV-OC43-reactive IgG was higher in the COVID-19 group than in the control group (p = 0.002) but did not differ for the other antibodies; Conclusions: Mothers with a confirmed COVID-19 PCR and mothers with previous viral symptoms had preexisting human milk antibodies against S2 subunit SARS-CoV-2. Human milk IgG were more specific to S2 subunit SARS-CoV-2 than other antibodies, whereas SIgA and SIgM were polyreactive and cross-reactive to S1 or S2 subunit SARS-CoV-2.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 785
Author(s):  
Maurizio Guida ◽  
Daniela Terracciano ◽  
Michele Cennamo ◽  
Federica Aiello ◽  
Evelina La Civita ◽  
...  

Objective: The objective of this research is to demonstrate the release of SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) antibodies in human milk samples obtained by patients who have been vaccinated with mRNABNT162b2 vaccine. Methods: Milk and serum samples were collected in 10 volunteers 20 days after the first dose and 7 seven days after the second dose of the mRNABNT162b2 vaccine. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibodies were measured by the Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S ECLIA assay (Roche Diagnostics AG, Rotkreuz, Switzerland), a quantitative electrochemiluminescence immunometric method. Results: At first sample, anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibodies were detected in all serum samples (103.9 ± 54.9 U/mL) and only in two (40%) milk samples with a low concentration (1.2 ± 0.3 U/mL). At the second sample, collected 7 days after the second dose, anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibodies were detected in all serum samples (3875.7 ± 3504.6 UI/mL) and in all milk samples (41.5 ± 47.5 UI/mL). No correlation was found between the level of serum and milk antibodies; the milk antibodies/serum antibodies ratio was on average 2% (range: 0.2–8.4%). Conclusion: We demonstrated a release of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibodies in the breast milk of women vaccinated with mRNABNT162b2. Vaccinating breastfeeding women could be a strategy to protect their infants from COVID-19 infection.


2021 ◽  
pp. 089033442110301
Author(s):  
Hannah G. Juncker ◽  
M. Romijn ◽  
Veerle N. Loth ◽  
Tom G. Caniels ◽  
Christianne J.M. de Groot ◽  
...  

Background: Human milk contains antibodies against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) following Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). These antibodies may serve as protection against COVID-19 in infants. However, the evolution of these human milk antibodies over time is unclear. Research Aim: To elucidate the evolution of immunoglobulin A (IgA) against SARS-CoV-2 in human milk after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This longitudinal follow-up study included lactating mothers ( N = 24) who had participated in the COVID MILK study. To assess the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, serum and human milk samples were collected 14–143 days after the onset of clinical symptoms related to COVID-19. Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay was used to detect antibodies against the ectodomain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Results: SARS-CoV-2 antibodies remain present up to 5 months (143 days) in human milk after onset of COVID-19 symptoms. Overall, SARS-CoV-2 IgA in human milk seems to gradually decrease over time. Conclusion: Human milk from SARS-CoV-2 convalescent lactating mothers contains specific IgA antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein up to at least 5 months post-infection. Passive viral immunity can be transferred via human milk and may serve as protection for infants against COVID-19. Dutch Trial Register on May 1st, 2020, number: NL 8575, URL: https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8575 .


Parasitology ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. Butterworth ◽  
R. Bensted-Smith ◽  
A. Capron ◽  
M. Capron ◽  
P. R. Dalton ◽  
...  

SUMMARYA total of 129 children were treated forSchistosoma mansoniinfections, and followed for intensity of reinfection at3-monthly intervals over a 21-month period. Blood samples were taken before treatment and at 5 weeks and 6, 12 and 18 months after treatment. This paper presents a statistical analysis of the relationship between various immune responses and subsequent reinfection. Responses analysed were: blood eosinophil levels; IgE antibodies against schistosomulum antigens; IgG antibodies mediating eosinophil-dependent killing of schistosomula; antibodies inhibiting the binding to schistosomulum antigens of two rat monoclonal antibodies that also recognize egg antigens; the levels of anti-adult worm and of anti-egg (total, IgM and IgG) antibodies; and IgM anti-schistosomulum antibodies. Results for each assay were well correlated for each of the five separate blood samples. None of the assays were predictive of resistance to reinfection, butsusceptibilityto reinfection was strongly correlated with results in the preceding blood samples for total anti-egg antibodies and the inhibition of binding of one of the two monoclonal antibodies. Further analysis also revealed a correlation between reinfection intensities and both IgM anti-schistosomulum antibodies and IgM and IgG anti-egg antibodies. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that early infections elicit the development, in response to egg antigens, of antibodies that block immune mechanisms directed against schistosomula. Blocking antibodies may be IgM, but might also be of an ineffective IgG isotype. The existence of such antibodies in young children would explain the slow development of immunity in the face of a range of detectable, potentially protective immune responses.


2010 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Czank ◽  
Karen Simmer ◽  
Peter E Hartmann

The combination of ultrasound and heat (thermoultrasound) is an emerging food preservation technique that retains higher quantities of bioactive components compared with current thermal pasteurization practice, but has not yet been assessed for pasteurizing human milk. Artificially contaminated human milk samples were treated with ultrasound (20 kHz, 150 watts) with and without heating. The retention of four human milk proteins was quantified by biochemical assay and laser scattering particle sizing was used to determine the extent of homogenization. While ultrasonic treatment was effective at inactivating Escherichia coli (D4 °C=5·94 min), Staphylococcus epidermidis exhibited resistance (D4 °C=16·01 min). Thermoultrasonic treatment was considerably more effective (Esch. coli D45 °C=1·74 min, D50 °C=0·89 min; Staph. epidermidis D45 °C=2·08 min, D50 °C=0·94 minutes) with a predicted retention (2·8 min treatment, 50°C) of secretory IgA lysozyme, lactoferrin and bile salt stimulated lipase of 91, 80, 77, and 45%, respectively. Homogenization of the milk samples occurred after 5 min and 2 min of ultrasonic and thermoultrasonic treatment, respectively. Thermoultrasonic treatment is an effective method for pasteurizing donor human milk and retaining a greater proportion of bioactive components compared with current practices. However, further studies are required to assess the practicality of applying this technique routinely to donor human milk.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-31
Author(s):  
Juan N. Walterspiel ◽  
Ardythe L. Morrow ◽  
Larry K. Pickering ◽  
Guillermo M. Ruiz-Palacios ◽  
M. Lourdes Guerrero

Objective. To determine whether anti-Giardia lamblia secretory IgA (sIgA) antibodies in human milk protect infants from acquisition of or symptoms associated with Giardia infection. Methods. One hundred ninety-seven Mexican mother/infant pairs were followed weekly from birth for diarrheal disease and feeding status. Infant stool specimens were collected weekly and were cultured for bacterial pathogens and tested for Giardia and rotavirus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Maternal milk samples were collected weekly for 1 month postpartum and monthly thereafter. To determine the protective effect of anti-Giardia sIgA in milk against infection and against diarrhea due to Giardia, milk samples from mothers of infected infants and appropriately matched controls were assayed for anti-Giardia sIgA by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. Asymptomatic, infected infants ingested significantly (P = .046) higher amounts of milk anti-Giardia sIgA compared with symptomatic, infected infants. However, milk anti-Giardia sIgA concentrations did not differ between Giardia-infected and noninfected infants. Conclusion. The amount of anti-Giardia sIgA in human milk was associated with prevention of symptoms of diarrhea due to Giardia, but not with acquisition of the organism.


1988 ◽  
Vol 101 (3) ◽  
pp. 565-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. P Leschinskaya ◽  
E. E Pokrovskaya ◽  
E. A Kantorovitch ◽  
S.K Grigorjeva ◽  
YA. S Shvartsman

SUMMARYExamination of sera from 184 children aged between 0 and 12 years and 161 adults revealed a close correlation between age and the level of humoral anti-RS virus immunity. Secretory IgG antibodies were found in children in their first months of life. Evidence for their release into secretions from the serum was obtained. This might explain the positive correlation between serum antibody levels in women recently confined with the morbidity due to RS virus in children during their first months of life. Secretory IgA antibodies were found from 4 months untill old age. The secretions of children and adults contained virus-neutralizing activity which was non-immunoglobulin in nature, as well as antibodies. However, in contrast to secretory antibody this material did not prevent development of severe RS virus infections.


Author(s):  
Kjell Skaug ◽  
Anne-Brit Otnaess ◽  
Ivar ørstavik ◽  
Fridtjof Jerve

Author(s):  
Karolina Karcz ◽  
Mateusz Walkowiak ◽  
Julia Makuch ◽  
Igor Olejnik ◽  
Barbara Królak-Olejnik

The use of home remedies for the treatment of moderately severe ailments is a common practice in the Polish population. Currently, the topic of the potential non-nutritional properties of human milk is attracting the attention of breastfeeding mothers. This study was aimed at understanding lactating women’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices of non-nutritional breast milk on mucous membranes. The study was conducted among lactating women, who filled out a questionnaire consisting of questions about their knowledge and experiences with non-nutritional use of human milk. Statistical calculations were conducted with chi-square test and c-Pearson coefficient. A total of 1187 women were acted on, whereby 768 of respondents claimed to have knowledge of the non-nutritional use of human milk on mucous membranes, whilst 404 of them claimed that they had used at least one method. Among the most frequently used methods were the treatment of rhinorrhea, lacrimal canaliculi obstruction, and conjunctivitis. A correlation between length of breastfeeding (p < 0.001) and knowledge of non-nutritional human milk usage in prophylaxis and treatment of mucous membrane inflammation was found. Breastfeeding duration (p < 0.001) and parity (p < 0.005) were correlated with the application of those methods in practice. Due to a high propensity to testing those methods, parents’ education in the field of possible risks and importance of medical consultations is necessary.


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