A study led by researchers from the Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga (IBIMA) has found a unique population of neutrophils in colostrum, the breast milk produced in the first days after childbirth. This research could change the way we understand how mothers provide immune protection to newborns during breastfeeding.
Neutrophils as an Immune Bridge
Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that is part of the body's defense system. The study notes that, in addition to their usual role in fighting infections, these neutrophils in colostrum could function as carriers of immunity from mother to baby. The research team identified that these cells adapt to the environment of breast milk, acquiring properties that allow them to transport antibodies and regulate the immune response.
The research was conducted by Almudena Ortega Gómez, Ernesto González Mesa, and Francisco J. Tinahones Madueño, along with several groups from IBIMA and in collaboration with the University of Málaga and local hospitals. This group of researchers has gone beyond the known benefits of breast milk, focusing on a less explored part: the population of living cells present in colostrum.
Transformations in Colostrum Neutrophils
The study analysed blood and colostrum samples from women treated at the Regional University Hospital of Málaga. It was found that the neutrophils in colostrum have different characteristics from those in blood. Through advanced analysis techniques, it was discovered that these neutrophils have fewer granules and possess a reduced ability to migrate or capture bacteria. However, they have a higher amount of proteins essential for the immune response.
Additionally, it was observed that these neutrophils release immunoglobulins, which are crucial for protecting the mucous membranes of the newborn, and have a high presence of a receptor involved in the transport of antibodies in tissues. This suggests that they could act as vehicles connecting two branches of the immune system, the innate and the adaptive.
The study concludes that the colostrum environment not only acts as a transporter but also modifies immune cells. Experiments showed that blood neutrophils, when exposed to colostrum, began to exhibit characteristics similar to the neutrophils naturally present in breast milk.
Despite these findings, further studies will be required to fully understand the interaction of these neutrophils with the newborn's immune system and their potential effects on disease prevention.
The research was published in the journal Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters and is based on samples from 16 healthy mothers collected within five days postpartum.
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