Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) in human milk

Abstract

The amount of TGF-beta contained in human whey was studied by the colony formation of NRK47F cells. It was noted that a factor inducing colony formation did exist in human whey, and its action was neutralized when anti-TGF-beta antibodies were introduced. This suggests that TGF-beta does exist in human whey. In colostrum, the total amount of TGF-beta was 1365.7 +/- 242.9 ng/ml, of which the active form comprised 728.1 +/- 248.7 ng/ml (n = 21). In late milk, the total TGF-beta was 952.5 +/- 212.6 ng/ml, with an active form of 178.7 +/- 157.3 ng/ml. Thus human milk contains a large amount of active TGF-beta. Furthermore, it was revealed by the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction that mRNAs coding TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 exist in human milk cells. These results suggest that both TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 exist in human milk.

Erythropoietin Protects Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Function and Lowers the Incidence of Experimental Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis

“…T84 cells grown on Transwell inserts with high TER were treated with 20 ng/ml IFN-␥ (10) to the basolateral side, where cellular IFN-␥ receptors are known to be present and with recombinant human Epo at 0.1 unit/ml to the apical and basolateral sides. Epo was used within the physiological concentration range of Epo in human milk (29,30). Following treatment, TER was monitored at 24, 48, and 72 h, and paracellular permeability/barrier function was determined at 72 h. Consistent with previous findings, IFN-␥ treatment increased apical to basolateral FITC-dextran flux ( Fig.…”

“…TGF-␤ is a multifunctional cytokine and also a human milk factor used as a control for Epo treatment in the animal study. Both Epo (0.1 unit/ml) and TGF-␤ (30 ng/ml) were used within the physiological concentration range of Epo and TGF-␤ in human milk (29,30). The effect of Epo on barrier function is specific as administration of TGF-␤ (n ϭ 22) failed to protect intestinal barrier function.…”

Regulation of the Immune Response by TGF-β: From Conception to Autoimmunity and Infection

“…The mechanisms underlying immunological suppression by semen are not clearly defined but appear related, at least in part, to extremely high concentrations of TGF-b and prostaglandin (PG)E 2 (Robertson et al 2002(Robertson et al , 2009b. Seminal plasma contains high concentrations of TGF-b, nearly 500 ng/ml, which is approximately fivefold higher than that of serum (Saito et al 1993;Nocera and Chu 1995;Loras et al 1999). In seminal fluid, TGF-b induces Treg-cell expansion and promotes tolerance to paternal alloantigens in mice (Robertson et al 2009a).…”

Protection of the Neonate by the Innate Immune System of Developing Gut and of Human Milk

“…Human milk factors suppress induction of IL-8 expression (inflammatory response) in cultured intestinal epithelial cells; this suppression is greatest in immature cells, whose IL-8 response is more pronounced (71). These suppressive factors are at their highest concentrations in colostrum (75,76). Colostrum is consumed by neonates when priming and maturation of the mucosal immune system are greatest (77), and when the human gut can absorb macromolecules directly (24,55,56).…”