XL07: The Presence of Stem Cell-Like Cells in Human Breastmilk

Lecturer: Dr. Mark Cregan
L-CERPs: 1.25
Cost: US$18.75
Access period: One week
Lecture recorded: at GOLD08
Synopsis: Immune cells in human breastmilk have been found in the infant circulation and some also show positive for stem cell markers.
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Lecture Details: Human breastmilk contains a range of bioactive components that have been fine-tuned through evolution to provide the optimum developmental benefits to the newborn infant. The cells in breastmilk are not clearly understood, but are known to include secretory epithelial cells (lactocytes) that have exfoliated from the alveoli and a range of immune cells activated to specific pathogens. Further, it has been shown that the immune cell component of breastmilk can survive the digestive processes of the infant; whereas animal studies have shown that immune cells from mothers’ milk can be found in the infants’ circulation following feeding. In a recent study, we identified cells from human breastmilk that were positive for the putative stem cell marker, nestin. Analysis of the cells isolated from breastmilk showed there to be a small population of cells isolated that exclude a dye that is indicative of multipotent stem cells. Further, we have also recently observed a population of cells in breastmilk that are positive for a hematopoietic stem cell marker, suggesting that human breastmilk contains stem cells of multiple lineages. The presence of putative stem cells in breastmilk demonstrates a more complex cellular component exists in human milk than previously appreciated. These findings further enhance our appreciation of the bioactivity of breastmilk and also demonstrate that human breastmilk is a readily available and non-invasive source of putative stem cells.

About the Lecturer: Dr. Mark Cregan undertook his Doctoral studies at The University of Western Australia in the laboratory of Professor Peter Hartmann specialising in the composition of breastmilk following premature birth. Following completion of his PhD, Dr. Cregan worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate before accepting a position as Lecturer in The School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences at The University of Western Australia and forming the Lactation Biology Laboratory in 2003. The current research focus of Dr Cregan's group is the cellular composition of breastmilk in relation to the bioactivity of breastmilk, milk synthesis, milk removal and potential lactation difficulties. Dr. Cregan continues to undertake research on lactation following premature birth and is currently co-investigator on a number of projects investigating the initiation of lactation following premature birth.