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 fiv e cows were also analyzed. Human colostrum values of slCAM-1, sVCAM-1 (simi lar 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 s erum) were significantly higher than those in milk, while they varied widel y. None of the adhesion molecules was detected in fresh cow's milk or infan t formulas. Exclusively breast-fed infants showed significantly higher valu es of slCAM-1 and s L-selectin on the 2nd day of life th an those supplemen ted also with formula. Only s lCAM-1 values correlated positively between c olostrum 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.