RNA sequencing of the human milk fat layer transcriptome reveals distinct gene expression profiles at three stages of lactation.

ABSTRACT: Aware of the important benefits of human milk, most U.S. women initiate breastfeeding but difficulties with milk supply lead some to quit earlier than intended. Yet, the contribution of maternal physiology to lactation difficulties remains poorly understood. Human milk fat globules, by enveloping cell contents during their secretion into milk, are a rich source of mammary cell RNA. Here, we pair this non-invasive mRNA source with RNA-sequencing to probe the milk fat layer transcriptome during three stages of lactation: colostral, transitional, and mature milk production. The resulting transcriptomes paint an exquisite portrait of human lactation. The resulting transcriptional profiles cluster not by postpartum day, but by milk Na:K ratio, indicating that women sampled during similar postpa

SUBMITTER: Lemay DG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3702532 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature