A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Breast Milk Proteome: Changes in the Different Stages of Lactation and Impacts of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Body Mass Index
Authors: Seitz, Timo; Viitaharju, Jenni; Benchraka, Chouaib; Merilahti, Johannes; Kalliomäki, Marko; Polari, Lauri; Toivola, Diana; Lahti, Leo; Kauko, Otto; Laitinen, Kirsi
Publisher: Wiley-VCH
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Molecular Nutrition and Food Research
Article number: e70225
ISSN: 1613-4125
eISSN: 1613-4133
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.70225
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.70225
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/500138765
Breast milk proteome comprises hundreds of bioactive proteins supporting infant development. The extent to which maternal metabolic conditions modify the proteome is poorly known. This study investigates proteome evolution from colostrum to mature milk and examines the impacts of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and BMI on the proteome. We analyzed the proteome by data-independent acquisition (DIA)-based LC-MS/MS from colostrum and mature milk samples collected from mothers (n = 47) with varying BMI values and with (n = 11) or without (n = 36) GDM. We identified 3496 proteins, of which 1055 were differentially abundant between colostrum and mature milk. Colostrum was enriched in proteins related to MHC II antigen response, intestinal IgA, adhesion, and glycosylation, while mature milk showed enrichment in lipid biosynthesis, protein translation, and degradation. In mature milk, mothers with both GDM and higher BMI had increased levels of proteins related to HDL formation. Proteins supporting the maturation of the naive gut immune system were prevalent in colostrum, while those prevalent in mature milk reflected the mammary gland's effort in biosynthesis. Both BMI and GDM have measurable effects on the breast milk proteome. The clinical significance of these findings on a child's future health needs to be clarified.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |  |
Funding information in the publication:
The clinical trial was supported by the State Research Funding for university-level health research in the Turku University Hospital Expert Responsibility Area, Finland, the Academy of Finland (#258606), Finland and the Diabetes Research Foundation, Finland. Sigrid Juselius Foundation and Juho Vainio Foundation supported proteomics analysis and reporting. Support for Diana Toivola by Research Council of Finland 332582, Finland, and InFLAMES Flagship Programme of the Research Council of Finland (337531), Finland and State Research Funding. Support for Timo Seitz by Finnish Cultural Foundation, Finland-China Food and Health Network, and Turku University Foundation. Support for Lauri Polari by NovoNordisk Foundation (NNF23OC0087039). Mass spectrometry analysis was performed at the Turku Proteomics Facility, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University. The facility is supported by Biocenter Finland.
