Soluble form of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E- and L-selectin in human milk

In breastmilk and paired serum from 70 lactating women and 40 of their term, infection-free neonates, on the 2nd and 5th day postpartum slCAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE- and s L-selectin were measured by ELISA and compared with those in 26 healthy adults (controls). Seven infant formulas and fresh milk from five cows were also analyzed. Human colostrum values of slCAM-1, sVCAM-1 (similar to those in maternal and control serum), sE-selectin and s L-selectin (similar to 10 and similar to 100 time slower than in maternal and control serum) were significantly higher than those in milk, while they varied widely. None of the adhesion molecules was detected in fresh cow's milk or infant formulas. Exclusively breast-fed infants showed significantly higher values of slCAM-1 and s L-selectin on the 2nd day of life th an those supplemented also with formula. Only s lCAM-1 values correlated positively between colostrum and time-matched maternal serum. These findings show in human milk important amounts of s lCAM-1 and s VCAM-1 but minimal amounts of sE- and s L-selectin, which could affect the immune system of the neonate.