Abstract
Background
Maternal breast milk (MBM) is enriched in microRNAs, factors that regulate protein translation throughout the human body. MBM from mothers of term and preterm infants differs in nutrient, hormone, and bioactive-factor composition, but the microRNA differences between these groups have not been compared. We hypothesized that gestational age at delivery influences microRNA in MBM, particularly microRNAs involved in immunologic and metabolic regulation.
Methods
MBM from mothers of premature infants (pMBM) obtained 3–4 weeks post delivery was compared with MBM from mothers of term infants obtained at birth (tColostrum) and 3–4 weeks post delivery (tMBM). The microRNA profile in lipid and skim fractions of each sample was evaluated with high-throughput sequencing.
Results
The expression profiles of nine microRNAs in lipid and skim pMBM differed from those in tMBM. Gene targets of these microRNAs were functionally related to elemental metabolism and lipid biosynthesis. The microRNA profile of tColostrum was also distinct from that of pMBM, but it clustered closely with tMBM. Twenty-one microRNAs correlated with gestational age demonstrated limited relationships with method of delivery, but not other maternal–infant factors.
Conclusion
Premature delivery results in a unique MBM microRNA profile with metabolic targets. This suggests that preterm milk may have adaptive functions for growth in premature infants.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Jessica Beiler for assistance in sample collection, Frank Middleton for guidance in RNA analysis, and Yuka Imamura for expertise in RNA sequencing.
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Hicks holds a preliminary patent for microRNA biomarkers in autism spectrum disorder and serves as a consultant for Motion Intelligence. Kelleher serves as the president and CEO of LactoGenix. These conflicts of interest are unrelated to the current manuscript and are under an active management plan by the Penn State College of Medicine.
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Funding provided by the Center for Research on Women and Newborn Health, The Gerber Foundation, the NIDDK (1R01DK099364-03), and the Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics at the Penn State College of Medicine.
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Carney, M., Tarasiuk, A., DiAngelo, S. et al. Metabolism-related microRNAs in maternal breast milk are influenced by premature delivery. Pediatr Res 82, 226–236 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2017.54
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2017.54
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