Concentrations of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in human milk after in vitro simulations of digestion
Concentrations of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in human milk after in vitro simulations of digestion
Calhoun, D.A.; Lunøe, M.; Du, Y.; Staba, S.L.; Christensen, R.D.
Pediatric Research 46(6): 767-771
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-3998
PMID: 10590037
Human milk contains proteins that survive digestion in the neonatal gastrointestinal tract. Our group and others have reported that granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a haematopoietic cytokine that influences neutrophil proliferation and differentiation, is present in human milk. We also reported that specific receptors for G-CSF are expressed on the villous enterocytes of neonates. However, the physiological role of milk-borne G-CSF is not known.