TY - JOUR
T1 - Human milk triggers coagulation via tissue factor-exposing extracellular vesicles
AU - Hu, Yong
AU - Hell, Lena
AU - Kendlbacher, Ruth Anna
AU - Hajji, Najat
AU - Hau, Chi M.
AU - van Dam, Annemieke
AU - Berckmans, René J.
AU - Wisgrill, Lukas
AU - Ay, Cihan
AU - Pabinger, Ingrid
AU - Brisson, Alain
AU - Repa, Andreas
AU - Nieuwland, Rienk
AU - Thaler, Johannes
PY - 2020/12/22
Y1 - 2020/12/22
N2 - Almost a century ago, it was discovered that human milk activates the coagulation system, but the milk component that triggers coagulation had until now been unidentified. In the present study, we identify this component and demonstrate that extracellular vesicles (EVs) present in normal human milk expose coagulant tissue factor (TF). This coagulant activity withstands digestive conditions, mimicking those of breastfed infants, but is sensitive to pasteurization of pooled donor milk, which is routinely used in neonatal intensive care units. In contrast to human milk, bovine milk, the basis of most infant formulas, lacks coagulant activity. Currently, the physiological function of TF-exposing vesicles in human milk is unknown, but we speculate that these vesicles may be protective for infants. Another explanation could be nipple skin damage, which occurs in most breastfeeding women. Milk-derived TF-exposing EVs may seal the wound and thereby reduce bleeding and breast inflammation.
AB - Almost a century ago, it was discovered that human milk activates the coagulation system, but the milk component that triggers coagulation had until now been unidentified. In the present study, we identify this component and demonstrate that extracellular vesicles (EVs) present in normal human milk expose coagulant tissue factor (TF). This coagulant activity withstands digestive conditions, mimicking those of breastfed infants, but is sensitive to pasteurization of pooled donor milk, which is routinely used in neonatal intensive care units. In contrast to human milk, bovine milk, the basis of most infant formulas, lacks coagulant activity. Currently, the physiological function of TF-exposing vesicles in human milk is unknown, but we speculate that these vesicles may be protective for infants. Another explanation could be nipple skin damage, which occurs in most breastfeeding women. Milk-derived TF-exposing EVs may seal the wound and thereby reduce bleeding and breast inflammation.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85098092872&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2020003012
DO - https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2020003012
M3 - Article
C2 - 33351123
SN - 2473-9529
VL - 4
SP - 6274
EP - 6282
JO - Blood advances
JF - Blood advances
IS - 24
M1 - https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2020003012
ER -