BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The microbiota present in human milk (HM) plays a crucial role in infant health and development. Maintaining it during storage and thawing is vital for preserving its beneficial properties; however, the effects of storage period, temperature, and thawing conditions on HM are not well understood. SUBJECTS/METHODS: HM samples from lactating mothers were collected and stored under different temperature conditions (room temperature [RT], refrigeration, and −20°C) for different durations (1 week and 4 weeks), and thawed using different methods (RT, bottle warmer, and microwave), followed by analysis of their microbiota. RESULTS: Storing HM samples at RT for a week and at −20°C for four weeks resulted in a significant reduction in microbiota diversity, whereas the other treatments did not lead to a significant change in beta diversity. In the microbiota distance analysis, HM samples stored at −20°C for a week showed the highest similarity to the initial microbiota compared to those after one week of storage at RT or in a refrigerator. Microwave thawing after 1 week of freezing resulted in the greatest alteration in the initial microbiota composition, whereas thawing at RT or with a bottle warmer showed comparable microbial profiles. CONCLUSION The most suitable method for storing and thawing HM while preserving the microbiota is to store it at −20°C for up to one week and thaw it using a bottle warmer.

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the recruiting of T lymphocytes including IL-7Rαlow CX3CR1+ effector memory (EM) CD8+ T cells and α4β7 integrin tagged T cells to inflamed intestinal mucosa. Methods: Whole blood and mucosal tissues of intestine were collected from 40 children with or without inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). T cell surface staining and immunohistochemistry were done with several antibodies in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and intestinal mucosa, respectively. Serum levels of cytokines were measured by ELISA. Results: The frequency of IL-7Rαlow CX3CR1+ EM CD8+ T cells in the PBMC was significantly higher in the ulcerative colitis group than in the control group (57.9±17.80% vs. 33.9±15.70%, p=0.021). The frequency of integrin α4β7+ CD4+ T cells in the PBMC was significantly lower in the ulcerative colitis group than in the control group (53.2±27.6% vs. 63.9±13.2%, p=0.022). Serum concentration of TNF-α was higher in the Crohn’s disease group than in the control group (26.13±5.01 pg/mL vs. 19.65±6.07 pg/mL, p=0.008). Of the three groups, the ulcerative colitis group had the highest frequency of integrin α4β7+ T cells based on immunohistochemistry analyses for intestinal tissues, followed by the Crohn’s disease group and the control group (4.63±1.29 cells vs. 2.0±0.57 cells vs. 0.84±0.52 cells, p<0.001). Conclusion Trafficking immune cells with effector memory CD8+ T cells clarified by IL-7Rαlow CX3CR1+ and integrin α4β7+ CD4+ T cells might be highly associated with the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.

Purpose: Human breast milk (HBM) contains immune components that produced and delivered from the mother along with nutrients necessary for the baby. MicroRNA (miRNA) is a small noncoding RNA molecule, that is used as an ideal biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of various diseases and are more abundant in HBM. We analyzed and compared the immune components and miRNAs of HBM. Methods: HBM were collected from 20 healthy breastfeeding mothers. We measured the amount of lactoferrin, lysozyme, and immunoglobulin A (IgA) and extracted the miRNAs from each breast milk samples. Next, the top 5 and bottom 5 expressed miRNAs were compared and analyzed based on the amounts of the 3 immune components. Results: The mean levels and ranges of lactoferrin, lysozyme, and IgA were 6.33 (2.24–14.77)×106 ng/mL, 9.90 (1.42–17.59)×107 pg/mL, and 6.64 (0.48–20.01)×105 ng/mL, respectively. The miRNAs concentration per 1 mL of skim milk was 40.54 (14.95–110.01) ng/μL. Comparing the bottom 5 and top 5 groups of each immune component, 19 miRNAs were significantly upregulated (6, 9, and 4 targeting lactoferrin, lysozyme, and IgA, respectively) and 21 were significantly downregulated (4, 9, and 8 targeting lactoferrin, lysozyme, and IgA, respectively). There were no miRNAs that were expressed significantly higher or lower in common to all 3 components.However, 2 and 3 miRNAs were commonly overexpressed and underexpressed, in the top 5 groups of lysozyme and IgA concentrations. Conclusion We identified the immune components and miRNAs in breast milk and found that each individual has different ingredients.

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the recruiting of T lymphocytes including IL-7Rαlow CX3CR1+ effector memory (EM) CD8+ T cells and α4β7 integrin tagged T cells to inflamed intestinal mucosa. Methods: Whole blood and mucosal tissues of intestine were collected from 40 children with or without inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). T cell surface staining and immunohistochemistry were done with several antibodies in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and intestinal mucosa, respectively. Serum levels of cytokines were measured by ELISA. Results: The frequency of IL-7Rαlow CX3CR1+ EM CD8+ T cells in the PBMC was significantly higher in the ulcerative colitis group than in the control group (57.9±17.80% vs. 33.9±15.70%, p=0.021). The frequency of integrin α4β7+ CD4+ T cells in the PBMC was significantly lower in the ulcerative colitis group than in the control group (53.2±27.6% vs. 63.9±13.2%, p=0.022). Serum concentration of TNF-α was higher in the Crohn’s disease group than in the control group (26.13±5.01 pg/mL vs. 19.65±6.07 pg/mL, p=0.008). Of the three groups, the ulcerative colitis group had the highest frequency of integrin α4β7+ T cells based on immunohistochemistry analyses for intestinal tissues, followed by the Crohn’s disease group and the control group (4.63±1.29 cells vs. 2.0±0.57 cells vs. 0.84±0.52 cells, p<0.001). Conclusion Trafficking immune cells with effector memory CD8+ T cells clarified by IL-7Rαlow CX3CR1+ and integrin α4β7+ CD4+ T cells might be highly associated with the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.

Purpose: Human breast milk (HBM) contains immune components that produced and delivered from the mother along with nutrients necessary for the baby. MicroRNA (miRNA) is a small noncoding RNA molecule, that is used as an ideal biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of various diseases and are more abundant in HBM. We analyzed and compared the immune components and miRNAs of HBM. Methods: HBM were collected from 20 healthy breastfeeding mothers. We measured the amount of lactoferrin, lysozyme, and immunoglobulin A (IgA) and extracted the miRNAs from each breast milk samples. Next, the top 5 and bottom 5 expressed miRNAs were compared and analyzed based on the amounts of the 3 immune components. Results: The mean levels and ranges of lactoferrin, lysozyme, and IgA were 6.33 (2.24–14.77)×106 ng/mL, 9.90 (1.42–17.59)×107 pg/mL, and 6.64 (0.48–20.01)×105 ng/mL, respectively. The miRNAs concentration per 1 mL of skim milk was 40.54 (14.95–110.01) ng/μL. Comparing the bottom 5 and top 5 groups of each immune component, 19 miRNAs were significantly upregulated (6, 9, and 4 targeting lactoferrin, lysozyme, and IgA, respectively) and 21 were significantly downregulated (4, 9, and 8 targeting lactoferrin, lysozyme, and IgA, respectively). There were no miRNAs that were expressed significantly higher or lower in common to all 3 components.However, 2 and 3 miRNAs were commonly overexpressed and underexpressed, in the top 5 groups of lysozyme and IgA concentrations. Conclusion We identified the immune components and miRNAs in breast milk and found that each individual has different ingredients.

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the recruiting of T lymphocytes including IL-7Rαlow CX3CR1+ effector memory (EM) CD8+ T cells and α4β7 integrin tagged T cells to inflamed intestinal mucosa. Methods: Whole blood and mucosal tissues of intestine were collected from 40 children with or without inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). T cell surface staining and immunohistochemistry were done with several antibodies in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and intestinal mucosa, respectively. Serum levels of cytokines were measured by ELISA. Results: The frequency of IL-7Rαlow CX3CR1+ EM CD8+ T cells in the PBMC was significantly higher in the ulcerative colitis group than in the control group (57.9±17.80% vs. 33.9±15.70%, p=0.021). The frequency of integrin α4β7+ CD4+ T cells in the PBMC was significantly lower in the ulcerative colitis group than in the control group (53.2±27.6% vs. 63.9±13.2%, p=0.022). Serum concentration of TNF-α was higher in the Crohn’s disease group than in the control group (26.13±5.01 pg/mL vs. 19.65±6.07 pg/mL, p=0.008). Of the three groups, the ulcerative colitis group had the highest frequency of integrin α4β7+ T cells based on immunohistochemistry analyses for intestinal tissues, followed by the Crohn’s disease group and the control group (4.63±1.29 cells vs. 2.0±0.57 cells vs. 0.84±0.52 cells, p<0.001). Conclusion Trafficking immune cells with effector memory CD8+ T cells clarified by IL-7Rαlow CX3CR1+ and integrin α4β7+ CD4+ T cells might be highly associated with the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.

Purpose: Human breast milk (HBM) contains immune components that produced and delivered from the mother along with nutrients necessary for the baby. MicroRNA (miRNA) is a small noncoding RNA molecule, that is used as an ideal biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of various diseases and are more abundant in HBM. We analyzed and compared the immune components and miRNAs of HBM. Methods: HBM were collected from 20 healthy breastfeeding mothers. We measured the amount of lactoferrin, lysozyme, and immunoglobulin A (IgA) and extracted the miRNAs from each breast milk samples. Next, the top 5 and bottom 5 expressed miRNAs were compared and analyzed based on the amounts of the 3 immune components. Results: The mean levels and ranges of lactoferrin, lysozyme, and IgA were 6.33 (2.24–14.77)×106 ng/mL, 9.90 (1.42–17.59)×107 pg/mL, and 6.64 (0.48–20.01)×105 ng/mL, respectively. The miRNAs concentration per 1 mL of skim milk was 40.54 (14.95–110.01) ng/μL. Comparing the bottom 5 and top 5 groups of each immune component, 19 miRNAs were significantly upregulated (6, 9, and 4 targeting lactoferrin, lysozyme, and IgA, respectively) and 21 were significantly downregulated (4, 9, and 8 targeting lactoferrin, lysozyme, and IgA, respectively). There were no miRNAs that were expressed significantly higher or lower in common to all 3 components.However, 2 and 3 miRNAs were commonly overexpressed and underexpressed, in the top 5 groups of lysozyme and IgA concentrations. Conclusion We identified the immune components and miRNAs in breast milk and found that each individual has different ingredients.

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the recruiting of T lymphocytes including IL-7Rαlow CX3CR1+ effector memory (EM) CD8+ T cells and α4β7 integrin tagged T cells to inflamed intestinal mucosa. Methods: Whole blood and mucosal tissues of intestine were collected from 40 children with or without inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). T cell surface staining and immunohistochemistry were done with several antibodies in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and intestinal mucosa, respectively. Serum levels of cytokines were measured by ELISA. Results: The frequency of IL-7Rαlow CX3CR1+ EM CD8+ T cells in the PBMC was significantly higher in the ulcerative colitis group than in the control group (57.9±17.80% vs. 33.9±15.70%, p=0.021). The frequency of integrin α4β7+ CD4+ T cells in the PBMC was significantly lower in the ulcerative colitis group than in the control group (53.2±27.6% vs. 63.9±13.2%, p=0.022). Serum concentration of TNF-α was higher in the Crohn’s disease group than in the control group (26.13±5.01 pg/mL vs. 19.65±6.07 pg/mL, p=0.008). Of the three groups, the ulcerative colitis group had the highest frequency of integrin α4β7+ T cells based on immunohistochemistry analyses for intestinal tissues, followed by the Crohn’s disease group and the control group (4.63±1.29 cells vs. 2.0±0.57 cells vs. 0.84±0.52 cells, p<0.001). Conclusion Trafficking immune cells with effector memory CD8+ T cells clarified by IL-7Rαlow CX3CR1+ and integrin α4β7+ CD4+ T cells might be highly associated with the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.

Purpose: Human breast milk (HBM) contains immune components that produced and delivered from the mother along with nutrients necessary for the baby. MicroRNA (miRNA) is a small noncoding RNA molecule, that is used as an ideal biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of various diseases and are more abundant in HBM. We analyzed and compared the immune components and miRNAs of HBM. Methods: HBM were collected from 20 healthy breastfeeding mothers. We measured the amount of lactoferrin, lysozyme, and immunoglobulin A (IgA) and extracted the miRNAs from each breast milk samples. Next, the top 5 and bottom 5 expressed miRNAs were compared and analyzed based on the amounts of the 3 immune components. Results: The mean levels and ranges of lactoferrin, lysozyme, and IgA were 6.33 (2.24–14.77)×106 ng/mL, 9.90 (1.42–17.59)×107 pg/mL, and 6.64 (0.48–20.01)×105 ng/mL, respectively. The miRNAs concentration per 1 mL of skim milk was 40.54 (14.95–110.01) ng/μL. Comparing the bottom 5 and top 5 groups of each immune component, 19 miRNAs were significantly upregulated (6, 9, and 4 targeting lactoferrin, lysozyme, and IgA, respectively) and 21 were significantly downregulated (4, 9, and 8 targeting lactoferrin, lysozyme, and IgA, respectively). There were no miRNAs that were expressed significantly higher or lower in common to all 3 components.However, 2 and 3 miRNAs were commonly overexpressed and underexpressed, in the top 5 groups of lysozyme and IgA concentrations. Conclusion We identified the immune components and miRNAs in breast milk and found that each individual has different ingredients.

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the recruiting of T lymphocytes including IL-7Rαlow CX3CR1+ effector memory (EM) CD8+ T cells and α4β7 integrin tagged T cells to inflamed intestinal mucosa. Methods: Whole blood and mucosal tissues of intestine were collected from 40 children with or without inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). T cell surface staining and immunohistochemistry were done with several antibodies in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and intestinal mucosa, respectively. Serum levels of cytokines were measured by ELISA. Results: The frequency of IL-7Rαlow CX3CR1+ EM CD8+ T cells in the PBMC was significantly higher in the ulcerative colitis group than in the control group (57.9±17.80% vs. 33.9±15.70%, p=0.021). The frequency of integrin α4β7+ CD4+ T cells in the PBMC was significantly lower in the ulcerative colitis group than in the control group (53.2±27.6% vs. 63.9±13.2%, p=0.022). Serum concentration of TNF-α was higher in the Crohn’s disease group than in the control group (26.13±5.01 pg/mL vs. 19.65±6.07 pg/mL, p=0.008). Of the three groups, the ulcerative colitis group had the highest frequency of integrin α4β7+ T cells based on immunohistochemistry analyses for intestinal tissues, followed by the Crohn’s disease group and the control group (4.63±1.29 cells vs. 2.0±0.57 cells vs. 0.84±0.52 cells, p<0.001). Conclusion Trafficking immune cells with effector memory CD8+ T cells clarified by IL-7Rαlow CX3CR1+ and integrin α4β7+ CD4+ T cells might be highly associated with the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.