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Guo Y, Li C, Tan M, Chen Y, Zhu S, Zhi C, Zhu J. Dynamic Changes in Antibodies and Proteome in Breast Milk of Mothers Infected with Wild-Type SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron: A Longitudinal Study. Nutrients 2025; 17:1396. [PMID: 40284260 PMCID: PMC12030011 DOI: 10.3390/nu17081396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2025] [Revised: 04/13/2025] [Accepted: 04/16/2025] [Indexed: 04/29/2025] Open
Abstract
Background: Breast milk confers essential passive immunity to infants, particularly during viral pandemics. This study investigates dynamic changes in SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies and proteome in the breast milk of mothers infected with either the wild-type or Omicron variants, addressing gaps in longitudinal dynamics and conserved or variant-specific immune responses. Methods: A prospective cohort of 22 lactating mothers infected with Omicron variant (December 2022-January 2023) was analyzed alongside a published dataset of wild-type-infected mothers (January-May 2020). Breast milk samples were collected at eight time points (1, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 days post-infection) from the Omicron cohort for ELISA quantification of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA, IgG, and IgM. Proteomic analysis was conducted for both cohorts. Results: Macronutrient composition remained stable throughout the post-infection period. SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA and IgG demonstrated biphasic kinetics, rapidly rising by day 14 (IgA: 0.03 to 0.13 ng/mL; IgG: 0.91 to 37.00 ng/mL) and plateauing through day 42. In contrast, IgM levels remained unchanged. Proteomic profiling identified 135 proteins associated with IgA/IgG dynamics, including variant-specific and conserved proteins. Conclusions: Breast milk maintains nutritional integrity while mounting robust immune responses during SARS-CoV-2 infection. These findings underscore breastfeeding as a safe and protective practice during COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqiong Guo
- Institute of Biotechnology and Health, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing 100094, China; (Y.G.); (C.L.); (Y.C.); (S.Z.); (C.Z.)
| | - Cheng Li
- Institute of Biotechnology and Health, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing 100094, China; (Y.G.); (C.L.); (Y.C.); (S.Z.); (C.Z.)
| | - Minjie Tan
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China;
| | - Yuexiao Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology and Health, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing 100094, China; (Y.G.); (C.L.); (Y.C.); (S.Z.); (C.Z.)
| | - Shuai Zhu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Health, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing 100094, China; (Y.G.); (C.L.); (Y.C.); (S.Z.); (C.Z.)
| | - Cheng Zhi
- Institute of Biotechnology and Health, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing 100094, China; (Y.G.); (C.L.); (Y.C.); (S.Z.); (C.Z.)
| | - Jing Zhu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Health, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing 100094, China; (Y.G.); (C.L.); (Y.C.); (S.Z.); (C.Z.)
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Jiang R, Du X, Lönnerdal B. Effects of different sources of lactoferrin on cytokine response to SARS-COV-2, respiratory syncytial virus, and rotavirus infection in vitro. Biochem Cell Biol 2025; 103:1-12. [PMID: 40085927 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2024-0146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2025] Open
Abstract
Lactoferrin (Lf) is a multifunctional iron-binding glycoprotein, involved in a wide range of bioactivities, including immunomodulatory and antiviral activities. Lf in human milk and bovine Lf added to infant formula may provide some protection against viral infections. However, functions of Lfs from different sources may differ due to varying manufacturing processes and posttranslational modifications. Here, effects of Lfs (11 commercial bovine milk Lfs, 2 recombinant Lfs, and native human/bovine milk Lf) on cytokine responses to virus infection were examined by infecting human intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2 cells) with rotavirus (naked) or normal human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B cells) with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV, enveloped) or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein 1. Effects of Lf on viral infection were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of transcripts of cytokines/chemokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-β, and CXCL10). Our results show that viral infection changes transcription of these cytokines and that Lfs significantly and variously influence immune responses to rotavirus, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Thus, Lf may provide protection against virus infection by down-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine responses. Recombinant bovine and human Lf show similar effects as bovine milk Lfs suggesting that different posttranslational modifications do not affect the antiviral activity on cytokine response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rulan Jiang
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Xiaogu Du
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Bo Lönnerdal
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Greco A, Baxter JAB, Walton K, Aufreiter S, Pitino MA, Jenkins C, Ismail S, Kiss A, Stone D, Unger SL, O'Connor DL. Vitamin B12 concentrations vary greatly in milk donated to a large provincial milk bank, and are influenced by supplementation and parity. Clin Nutr 2025; 44:19-24. [PMID: 39608084 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2024] [Revised: 11/12/2024] [Accepted: 11/13/2024] [Indexed: 11/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Feeding parent's milk with supplemental donor milk (DM) is the optimal way to feed very low birth weight (VLBW) infants instead of formula; however, suboptimal neurodevelopment persists. This is believed due, in part, to suboptimal nutrition. Given vitamin B12's role in neurodevelopment and increased adoption of plant-based diets among females of child-bearing age, we aimed to determine the adequacy of vitamin B12 in DM (n = 380 donors) and associated donor characteristics. METHODS Vitamin B12 was measured in consecutive raw DM donations received at the milk bank from March 2020-2021 using a validated competitive chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (IMMULITE 2000, Siemens). Donor characteristics were obtained from screening records and associations with milk vitamin B12 concentrations explored using a generalized additive model. RESULTS Donors were 32 ± 4 years old (mean ± SD), and DM was expressed 98 ± 85 days postpartum. Vitamin B12 concentrations in DM had a median (25th, 75th percentile) of 232 (149, 373) pmol/L; 64 % had concentrations <310 pmol/L (common cut-off for inadequacy in healthy term-born infants). In a multivariable analysis, donors consuming a vitamin B12-containing supplement had higher DM vitamin B12 (β ± SE: 80.3 ± 25.4 pmol/L; p = 0.020) compared to those not taking a supplement. Primiparous donors had higher DM vitamin B12 than multiparous donors (36.7 ± 18.2 pmol/L greater; p = 0.044). No associations were observed for other donor characteristics. CONCLUSION Milk donated to a large human milk bank showed evidence of suboptimal vitamin B12; levels were associated with both donor vitamin B12-containing supplement use and parity. Further research as to whether and when milk bank donors are recommended to consume a supplement and the benefits and risks of routine vitamin B12 supplementation of DM-fed infants is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrianna Greco
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, M5S 1A8, Canada; Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Jo-Anna B Baxter
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Kathryn Walton
- Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON, M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Family Relations & Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Susanne Aufreiter
- Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Michael A Pitino
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, M5S 1A8, Canada; Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Carleigh Jenkins
- Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank, Sinai Health, Toronto ON, M5G 1X5, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Sinai Health, Toronto ON, M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Samantha Ismail
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, M5S 1A8, Canada; Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Alex Kiss
- Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Debbie Stone
- Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank, Sinai Health, Toronto ON, M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Sharon L Unger
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, M5S 1A8, Canada; Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank, Sinai Health, Toronto ON, M5G 1X5, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Sinai Health, Toronto ON, M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Deborah L O'Connor
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, M5S 1A8, Canada; Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON, M5G 0A4, Canada; Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank, Sinai Health, Toronto ON, M5G 1X5, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Sinai Health, Toronto ON, M5G 1X5, Canada.
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Leong M, Obaid M, Fernandez Ramos MC, Eichenberger R, John A, Krumholtz-Belkin P, Roeder T, Parvez B. Skilled lactation support using telemedicine in the neonatal intensive care unit. J Perinatol 2024; 44:687-693. [PMID: 38341485 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-024-01894-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND NICU mothers face unique challenges in initiating and sustaining breastfeeding, but previous studies have focused on outpatient breastfeeding support. We conducted a retrospective study of NICU breastfeeding outcomes before and after implementing telelactation. METHODS Pre-Telemedicine mothers received in-person support by NICU lactation consultants, while Telemedicine mothers received solely telemedicine consults after maternal discharge. RESULTS Exclusive breastmilk feeding at discharge increased in the Telemedicine group. Notably, babies in the Telemedicine cohort who were fed any formula on admission experienced significant improvement in exclusive breastmilk feeding at discharge, and those whose mothers received at least one NICU lactation consult had the greatest improvement in exclusive breastfeeding rates at discharge. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to validate the use of telemedicine as a means of maintaining access to skilled lactation support in the NICU when in-person consults are not feasible. Incorporating telemedicine can ensure access and continuity of skilled lactation support, and sustain breastfeeding rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Leong
- Division of Neonatology, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, New York, USA.
- Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA.
| | - Maria Obaid
- Division of Neonatology, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, New York, USA
- Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Maria Cristina Fernandez Ramos
- Division of Neonatology, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, New York, USA
- Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | | | - Annamma John
- Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | | | - Tina Roeder
- Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Boriana Parvez
- Division of Neonatology, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, New York, USA
- Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
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