Iron transporters in the human mammary gland and their relationship to low iron concentrations in human milk
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Date
2015, 2017, 2017
Authors
Cai, Chenxi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
OMICS International
Mary Ann Liebert
Wolters Kluwer
Mary Ann Liebert
Wolters Kluwer
Abstract
Extremely low iron content in human milk has been documented, yet whether the iron in breastmilk
is adequate for exclusively breastfed infants and the underlying mechanism responsible for low iron
in human milk are still unclarified.
Evidence from current meta-analysis suggests that iron supplementation to health exclusively
breastfed infants improve their iron status and cognitive development, but may delay their physical
growth. There was no evidence to suggest iron supplementation could cause other adverse effects.
In order to address why iron is low in human milk, human breast milk samples from nine lactating
women were used to investigate the gene expression profiles of iron transporters and iron-binding
proteins in the milk fat. The mRNA extracted from breast milk fat globules was confirmed mainly from
epithelial cells. The expression of transferrin receptor 1(TFRC), divalent metal transporter 1
(SLC11A2), transferrin (TF) and lactoferrin (LTF) were detected. Remarkably, the iron
transmembrane release protein FPN was absent, which is in contrast to data confirming its presence
in the rat mammary glands from the previous study.
Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the iron transporters expressed in the RNA extracted from
human milk fat and milk cells was conducted. Human milk samples were collected from fifteen
eligible lactating women. It was found that the RNA in human milk fat is from epithelial cells, while
the RNA in human milk cells originated from both epithelial cells and leukocytes. The expression of
TFRC, TFR2, SLC11A2, TF and LTF was confirmed in the RNA isolated from both the milk fat and
the milk cells. Two other transporters, SLC11A1 and SLC40A1, were only found in the RNA isolated
from milk cells.
Overall, this study’s findings suggest that RNA from milk fat and milk cells could be used as a novel
tool to investigate the biological functions of lactating epithelial cells and lactating mammary glands,
respectively, by different purposes. The lack of iron exporter in lactating epithelial cells suggests that
a novel iron transport routine may be used during human lactation.
Description
Keywords
Iron transporters, Lactation, Breast milk
Citation
Cai C, Morales M, Goldberg J, Friel JK. (2015). Exclusive Breastfed Babies: Are They Getting Enough Iron?. Vitamin & Mineral 4:e137. doi: 10.4172/2376- 1318.1000e137
Cai C, Granger M, Eck P, Friel JK. (2017). Effect of daily iron supplementation in healthy exclusively breastfed infants: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Breastfeeding Medicine 12(10):597-603.
Cai C, Eck P, Friel J K. Gene Expression Profiles Suggest Iron Transport Pathway in the Lactating Human Epithelial Cell. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition, 2017, 64(3):460-4.
Cai C, Granger M, Eck P, Friel JK. (2017). Effect of daily iron supplementation in healthy exclusively breastfed infants: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Breastfeeding Medicine 12(10):597-603.
Cai C, Eck P, Friel J K. Gene Expression Profiles Suggest Iron Transport Pathway in the Lactating Human Epithelial Cell. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition, 2017, 64(3):460-4.