Lipids isolated from breast milk regulate cytokine expression in human intestinal cells (Caco-2)

Abstract

Breast milk consists of a mixture of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, many of which are bioactive compounds whose function has not been fully explored. In addition to providing nutrients, it confers protection, supports development, promotes tolerance, and modulates the inflammatory response, especially in the infant's gastrointestinal system. In the last decade, the study of lipids in cell signaling methods that regulate processes such as cell proliferation, metabolism, and inflammation has gained momentum. In this regard, this research aimed to study the effect of human breast milk lipids on the expression of pro-inflammatory (IL-6 and IL-8) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines in human intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2). To this end, HT-29 cells were cultured and stimulated with different concentrations of human milk lipids for 48 h, and the levels of the cytokines Interleukin 6 (IL6), Interleukin 8 (IL8), and Interleukin 10 (IL10) were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of the messenger RNA (mRNA) corresponding to each cytokine were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). It was observed that the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines decreased significantly by two to three times (p<0.01) in cells stimulated with increasing concentrations of lipids isolated from human breast milk. These results suggest that human breast milk lipids may play an important role in the modulation of cytokines in the neonate intestine.