Formula-feeding is associated with shift towards Th1 cytokines

TY - JOUR

T1 - Formula-feeding is associated with shift towards Th1 cytokines

AU - Winkler, Beate

AU - Aulenbach, Julia

AU - Meyer, Thomas

AU - Wiegering, Armin

AU - Eyrich, Matthias

AU - Schlegel, Paul-Gerhardt

AU - Wiegering, Verena

PY - 2015/2

Y1 - 2015/2

N2 - PURPOSE: Breast-feeding (BF) versus formula-feeding (FF) may be a factor for the development and differentiation of T-cell subsets and cytokine production in infancy and childhood. We therefore investigated T-cell subpopulations and their cytokine production by flow cytometry as well as cytokine levels in serum samples in breast-fed versus formula-fed infants and children.METHODS: Heparinised blood was taken from 191 healthy infants and children. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with phorbol-mystriate-acetate and ionomycin in the presence of brefeldin. T-cell subsets and cytokines were determined by flow cytometry. Furthermore, serum concentrations of IFNγ and IL4 were measured using ELISA. An IFNγ/IL4 ratio was calculated to estimate the Th1/Th2 balance.RESULTS: Children who were formula-fed show higher numbers of memory T and T helper cells. After stimulation, the number of IFNγ-positive memory T-cells was increased up to the age of 6 years. Breast-fed infants show higher percentages of IL4-positive T helper cells. At ELISA determination, formula-fed children showed higher IFNγ levels than breast-fed children, while IL4 levels did not differ. The IFNγ/IL4 ratio (FACS and ELISA) was elevated in formula-fed infants and children.CONCLUSION: This systematic analysis of cytokine profiles during childhood in dependency of BF allows a better understanding of immune maturation and demonstrates the influence of early feeding on immune function throughout childhood, even after cessation of BF. FF induces a shift towards Th1 cytokines in children. This may have an influence on the development of autoimmune disease in later life.

AB - PURPOSE: Breast-feeding (BF) versus formula-feeding (FF) may be a factor for the development and differentiation of T-cell subsets and cytokine production in infancy and childhood. We therefore investigated T-cell subpopulations and their cytokine production by flow cytometry as well as cytokine levels in serum samples in breast-fed versus formula-fed infants and children.METHODS: Heparinised blood was taken from 191 healthy infants and children. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with phorbol-mystriate-acetate and ionomycin in the presence of brefeldin. T-cell subsets and cytokines were determined by flow cytometry. Furthermore, serum concentrations of IFNγ and IL4 were measured using ELISA. An IFNγ/IL4 ratio was calculated to estimate the Th1/Th2 balance.RESULTS: Children who were formula-fed show higher numbers of memory T and T helper cells. After stimulation, the number of IFNγ-positive memory T-cells was increased up to the age of 6 years. Breast-fed infants show higher percentages of IL4-positive T helper cells. At ELISA determination, formula-fed children showed higher IFNγ levels than breast-fed children, while IL4 levels did not differ. The IFNγ/IL4 ratio (FACS and ELISA) was elevated in formula-fed infants and children.CONCLUSION: This systematic analysis of cytokine profiles during childhood in dependency of BF allows a better understanding of immune maturation and demonstrates the influence of early feeding on immune function throughout childhood, even after cessation of BF. FF induces a shift towards Th1 cytokines in children. This may have an influence on the development of autoimmune disease in later life.

KW - Algorithms

KW - Autoimmunity

KW - Breast Feeding

KW - Child

KW - Child Development

KW - Child, Preschool

KW - Cohort Studies

KW - Cytokines/blood

KW - Female

KW - Germany

KW - Humans

KW - Immunity, Innate

KW - Infant

KW - Infant Formula

KW - Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

KW - Interferon-gamma/blood

KW - Interleukin-4/blood

KW - Male

KW - Th1 Cells/immunology

KW - Th1-Th2 Balance

U2 - 10.1007/s00394-014-0693-0

DO - 10.1007/s00394-014-0693-0

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 24691724

VL - 54

SP - 129

EP - 138

JO - EUR J NUTR

JF - EUR J NUTR

SN - 1436-6207

IS - 1

ER -