Differential modulation of the immune response by breast- or formula-feeding of infants |
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| Authors: | HF Pabst DW Spady LM Pilarski MM Carson JA Beeler MP Krezolek |
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| Affiliation: | Departments of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada;Departments of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada;Division of Viral Products, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD, USA |
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| Abstract: | ![]()
Spontaneous integrin expression on CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+ lymphocytes at 6 months was significantly lower in breastfed than formula-fed infants ( p < 0.05). In another study of 59 formula-fed and 64 breastfed 12-month-old children blast transformation and cytokine production by lymphocytes, and T cell changes were measured before and after measles-mumps-rubella vaccination (MMR). Before vaccination, lymphocytes of breastfed children had lower levels of blast transformation without antigen ( p < 0.001), with tetanus toxoid ( p < 0.02) or Candida ( p < 0.04), and lower interferon-γ production ( p < 0.03). Fourteen days after the live viral vaccination, only the breastfed children had increased production of interferon-γ ( p < 0.02) and increased percentages of CD56+ ( p < 0.022) and CD8+ cells ( p < 0.004). These findings are consistent with a Thl type response by breastfed children, not evident in formula-fed children. Feeding mode has an important long-term immunomodulating effect on infants beyond weaning. |
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| Keywords: | Breastfeeding immunomodulation measles vaccine |
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