@article{3081649,
    title = "sCD31/sPECAM-1 levels in breast milk and sera of mother-infant pairs in
the early postpartum period",
    author = "Giannaki, G and Rizos, D and Xyni, K and Sarandakou, A and Phocas, I and and Creatsas, G",
    journal = "Early Human Development",
    year = "2002",
    volume = "67",
    number = "1-2",
    pages = "61-68",
    publisher = "Elsevier Ireland Ltd",
    issn = "0378-3782",
    doi = "10.1016/S0378-3782(01)00252-3",
    keywords = "adhesion molecules; colostrum; human milk; lactating women; term
neonates; mode of delivery",
    abstract = "Immunomediators seem to have a central role in the immune system of both
human milk and newborn infants. CD31/PECAM-1 is an adhesion molecule,
member of Ig gene superfamily, mediating cell-cell adhesion in both
homophilic and heterophilic ways. Levels of the soluble form of PECAM-1
(sPECAM-1) were evaluated on the 2nd and 5th day postpartum in breast
milk and serum paired samples from 20 lactating women as well as in
time-matched serum from their single, term, healthy neonates.
Concentrations of sPECAM-1 in breast milk (median, range) on both the
2nd (2.05 ng/ml, 0.0-7.2) and 5th day postpartum (0.89 ng/ml, 0.0-3.6)
were about 10 and 20 times lower than those (mean +/- SD) in controls
(healthy adults) (19.83 +/- 5.17, p < 7 x 10(-8)). showing a significant
fall from the 2nd to the 5th day postpartum (p < 0.0005). Maternal serum
sPECAM-1 values (mean +/- SD) were significantly lower on the 2nd day
postpartum (14.21 +/- 5.15 ng/ml) than those in controls (P < 0.002),
but reached control values on the 5th day postpartum after a significant
rise (p < 0.0075). Neonatal serum sPECAM-1 values with no significant
difference between the 2nd (14.4 +/- 4.11 ng/ml) and 5th day of life
(14.54 +/- 4.99 ng/ml) were significantly lower than those in controls
(p < 0.002). Values of sPECAM-1 in milk and sera of lactating mothers
and their neonates on the 2nd day postpartum depended on the mode of
delivery, being significantly lower after caesarean section (p < 0.034,
p < 0.0075 and p < 0.035, respectively). In conclusion, Our findings in
the early postpartum period demonstrate that: (a) sPECAM-1 is present in
human milk in low and decreasing concentrations (b) the shedding of
sPECAM-1 is an established component of the neonatal immune system from
birth, though in lower concentrations than in adults, possibly
reflecting its immaturity:, and (c) the mode of delivery has a
significant effect on sPECAM-1 values in milk and sera of lactating
mothers and their neonates; the lower values after caesarean section may
reveal a deranged endothelial homeostasis. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science
Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved."
}