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. 2010 Oct;99(10):1517-21.
doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2010.01862.x.

Breastfeeding is associated with the production of type I interferon in infants infected with influenza virus

Guillermina A Melendi  1 , Silvina Coviello, Niranjan Bhat, Johanna Zea-Hernandez, Fausto M Ferolla, Fernando P Polack
Affiliations

Breastfeeding is associated with the production of type I interferon in infants infected with influenza virus

Guillermina A Melendi et al. Acta Paediatr. 2010 Oct.

Abstract

Background: Breast milk-mediated protection against respiratory viruses is well established. However, protective mechanisms are unclear. Type I interferons (IFN) mediate host defence against respiratory viruses, particularly influenza virus. The relationship among type I IFN, respiratory viral infections and breastfeeding has not been explored.

Methods: Type I IFN responses were studied by ELISA and real time PCR in nasal secretions of infants experiencing their first respiratory infection. Modulation of IFN by breastfeeding and other variables affecting severity during viral infection was explored.

Results: One hundred and twenty infants were positive by RT-PCR for influenza virus (n = 24), human metapneumovirus (hMPV) (n = 30) or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (n = 66). Type I IFNs were detected more frequently in infants infected with influenza virus than in those infected with RSV or hMPV. Breastfeeding promoted higher rates and levels of type I IFN only in infants infected with influenza virus. No effect on IFN production was observed for age, gender or smoking.

Conclusion: Our study confirms that type I IFN production is detected more frequently in infants infected with influenza virus. Importantly, higher rates and levels of type I IFN in these infants are associated with breastfeeding. These observations suggest that breast milk can protect against respiratory viruses by activating innate antiviral mechanisms in the host.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Detection of upstream signal mediators of type I IFN in randomly selected samples from each viral infection. Relative ratios by virus subgroup for mRNA transcripts of IRF-7 (A) and RIG-I (B) compared with β-actin (p = 0.05).
Figure 2
Figure 2
IFN-α (A) and IFN-β concentrations (B) in pg/mL by breastfeeding status in infants with detectable antiviral cytokines. Horizontal bar represents median values.
Figure 3
Figure 3
IFN-α mRNA expression levels by breastfeeding status in randomly selected samples of infants infected with influenza virus (p = 0.03). Horizontal bar represents median values.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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