scholarly journals The Functional Power of the Human Milk Proteome

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1834 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Zhu ◽  
Kelly A. Dingess

Human milk is the most complete and ideal form of nutrition for the developing infant. The composition of human milk consistently changes throughout lactation to meet the changing functional needs of the infant. The human milk proteome is an essential milk component consisting of proteins, including enzymes/proteases, glycoproteins, and endogenous peptides. These compounds may contribute to the healthy development in a synergistic way by affecting growth, maturation of the immune system, from innate to adaptive immunity, and the gut. A comprehensive overview of the human milk proteome, covering all of its components, is lacking, even though numerous analyses of human milk proteins have been reported. Such data could substantially aid in our understanding of the functionality of each constituent of the proteome. This review will highlight each of the aforementioned components of human milk and emphasize the functionality of the proteome throughout lactation, including nutrient delivery and enhanced bioavailability of nutrients for growth, cognitive development, immune defense, and gut maturation.

Author(s):  
Patricia Macchiaverni ◽  
Akila Rekima ◽  
Lieke van den Elsen ◽  
Harald Renz ◽  
Valerie Verhasselt

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1476
Author(s):  
Jian Zhang ◽  
Ai Zhao ◽  
Shiyun Lai ◽  
Qingbin Yuan ◽  
Xiaojiang Jia ◽  
...  

Our knowledge related to human milk proteins is still limited. The present study determined the changes in multiple human milk proteins during the first six months of lactation, investigated the influencing factors of milk proteins, and explored the impact of milk proteins on infant growth. A total of 105 lactating women and their full-term infants from China were prospectively surveyed in this research. Milk samples were collected at 1–5 days, 8–14 days, 1 month, and 6 months postpartum. Concentrations of total protein and α-lactalbumin were measured in all milk samples, and concentrations of lactoferrin, osteopontin, total casein, β-casein, αs−1 casein, and κ-casein were measured in milk from 51 individuals using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The concentration of measured proteins in the milk decreased during the first six months of postpartum (p-trend < 0.001). Maternal age, mode of delivery, maternal education, and income impacted the longitudinal changes in milk proteins (p-interaction < 0.05). Concentrations of αs−1 casein in milk were inversely associated with the weight-for-age Z-scores of the infants (1 m: r −0.29, p 0.038; 6 m: r −0.33, p 0.020). In conclusion, the concentration of proteins in milk decreased over the first six months postpartum, potentially influenced by maternal demographic and delivery factors. Milk protein composition may influence infant weights.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2333
Author(s):  
Yulong Sun ◽  
Yuanyuan Kuang ◽  
Zhuo Zuo

In the process of exploring space, the astronaut’s body undergoes a series of physiological changes. At the level of cellular behavior, microgravity causes significant alterations, including bone loss, muscle atrophy, and cardiovascular deconditioning. At the level of gene expression, microgravity changes the expression of cytokines in many physiological processes, such as cell immunity, proliferation, and differentiation. At the level of signaling pathways, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway participates in microgravity-induced immune malfunction. However, the mechanisms of these changes have not been fully elucidated. Recent studies suggest that the malfunction of macrophages is an important breakthrough for immune disorders in microgravity. As the first line of immune defense, macrophages play an essential role in maintaining homeostasis. They activate specific immune responses and participate in large numbers of physiological activities by presenting antigen and secreting cytokines. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent advances on the dysfunction of macrophages arisen from microgravity and to discuss the mechanisms of these abnormal responses. Hopefully, our work will contribute not only to the future exploration on the immune system in space, but also to the development of preventive and therapeutic drugs against the physiological consequences of spaceflight.


Author(s):  
G.I. PRONINA ◽  
◽  
A.A. IVANOV ◽  
A.G. MANNAPOV ◽  
O.V. SANAYA

The paper shows features of the immune system of poikilothermic aquatic organisms of different taxonomic groups: crustaceans, fish, and amphibians. Defense mechanisms of crustaceans are presented by largely innate non-specific factors: external covers (including the exoskeleton), mucus, physical and chemical barriers lysozyme in the hemolymph, propanolamine system, and phagocytosis. The authors identified 4 types of cells (hemocytes) found in the circulating fluid of crayfish, depending on the morphological and functional properties: agranulocytes, progranulin,granulocytes, and transparent cells. Each type performs different functions in the process of immune defense. In fish, there is no red bone marrow and lymph nodes, the main organs of hematopoiesis include thymus, spleen, liver, lymphoid tissue of the brain and the trunk of the kidneys,accumulation of lymphoid tissue of the cranial box, intestine, and pericardium. Humoral components of the immune response of fish are represented by immunoglobulins, system complement components, lysozyme, C-reactive protein, interferon, lysine, hemolysin, hemagglutinin. Only IgM-like antibodies represent immunoglobulins in fish. The central organ of the amphibian immune system is the red bone marrow, but its role in the immune defense of amphibians has not been sufficiently studied. Peripheral organs of the immune system include kidneys, thymus, spleen, lymphomyeloid organs. Depending on the characteristics of the immune system of poikilothermic hydrobionts of different types, the authors offer methods for assessing their humoralimmunity (by determining phenoloxidase) and cellular response (by phagocytosis). Cellular immunity, and phagocytic activity, in particular, can be evaluated using cytochemical methods taking into account oxygenindependent factors – the content of enzymatic lysosomal cationic protein in phagocytes – and oxygendependent ones – NBT-test with nitrosonium tetrazolium that records cytotoxic oxygen radicals generated during the respiratory explosion of cell stimulation in vitro.


Author(s):  
Elvira Estorninos ◽  
Rachel B Lawenko ◽  
Eisel Palestroque ◽  
Norbert Sprenger ◽  
Jalil Benyacoub ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Bovine milk-derived oligosaccharides (MOS) containing primarily galacto-oligosaccharides with inherent levels of sialylated oligosaccharides can be added to infant formula to enhance the oligosaccharide profile. Objective To investigate the effects of a MOS-supplemented infant formula on gut microbiota and intestinal immunity. Methods In a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, healthy-term formula-fed infants aged 21–26 days either received an intact protein cow's milk-based formula (control group, CG, n = 112) or the same formula containing 7.2 g MOS/L (experimental group, EG, n = 114) until age 6 months. Exclusively human milk-fed infants (HFI, n = 70) from an observational study served as reference. Fecal samples collected at baseline, 2.5 and 4 months of age were assessed for microbiota (16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid—based approaches), metabolites and biomarkers of gut health and immune response. Results At age 2.5 and 4 months, redundancy analysis (P = 0.002) and average phylogenetic distance (P &lt; 0.05) showed that the overall microbiota composition in EG was different from CG and closer to that of HFI. Similarly, EG caesarean-born infants were different from CG caesarean- or vaginally-born infants and approaching HFI vaginally-born infants. Relative bifidobacteria abundance was higher in EG vs. CG (P &lt; 0.05) approaching HFI. At age 4 months, counts of Clostridioides difficile and Clostridium perfringens were ∼90% (P &lt; 0.001) and ∼65% (P &lt; 0.01) lower in EG vs. CG, respectively. Mean (95%CI) fecal secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) in EG was twice that of CG [70 (57,85) vs. 34 (28,42) mg/g, P &lt; 0.001] and closer to HFI. Fecal oral polio vaccine-specific IgA was ∼50% higher in EG vs. CG (P = 0.065). Compared to CG, EG and HFI had lower fecal calcium excretion (by ∼30%) and fecal pH (P &lt; 0.001), and higher lactate concentration (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions Infant formula with MOS shifts the gut microbiota and metabolic signature closer to that of HFI, has a strong bifidogenic effect, reduces fecal pathogens, and improves intestinal immune response.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 473
Author(s):  
Tuğçe Tok Kurt ◽  
Çağlar Gökırmaklı ◽  
Zeynep B Guzel-Seydim

Background: Human milk contains the nutrients necessary for the growth and development of babies as it contains essential bioactive components to support the immune system. Galactooligosaccharides which are important indigestible prebiotics, help multiply the growth of beneficial microorganisms selectively and inhibit the growth of the pathogenic organism. The nutrition of the mother is essential since it affects the composition of mother’s milk. Kefir affects the digestive system, lactose intolerance immune system, anti-microbial effects, probiotic and prebiotic features. However, there is no report on how kefir consumption may have effects on composition of mother’s milk. In this aspect, this study aimed to determine the effects of kefir consumption on the carbohydrate profiles of the mother’s milk. Methods: This study started immediately after birth, mothers were fed with 500 ml/day of kefir made from kefir grains for 30 days in the KF group. Mothers who are in the control group (KI) continued their regular diet. Mother’s milk was collected on the 10th, 20th, and 30th day and stored at 4ºC. Carbohydrate profile including GOS was determined using the liquid chromatographic method with the HI-PLEX column.Results: The mean lactose concentrations of mother’s milk who consumed kefir were 4,68; 4,72; 5,89 g/100ml on days 10th, 20th, and 30th, respectively. Glucose concentrations were 0,29; 0,08; 0,21 g/100ml on 10th, 20th, 30th days, respectively. For the mother’s milk samples in the control group, the averages of lactose concentration were 5,42; 5,73; 5,51 g/100ml on days 10th, 20th, and 30th. GOS peaks were specified depending on the rich content of prebiotics. Conclusion: Consumption of authentic kefir may have effect on carbohydrate profile, including GOS of mother’s milk. Keywords: Human milk, kefir, prebiotic, galactooligosaccharides  


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.


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