Human breast milk cells are positive for the pioneer transcription factor ISL1

M. Piras, P. Coni, M. Piludu, S. Coni, J.I. Lachowicz, M. Jaremko, G. Faa, F. Cau, A. Scano, G. Orrù, R. Murru, G. Pichiri

Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Division Pathological Anatomy, Cagliari, Italy. coni@unica.it

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• Stem Cells

OBJECTIVE: ISL1 is a pioneer transcription factor that plays important roles in cell lineage specification and differentiation, by programming the epigenome and recruiting additional regulatory factors. The aim of this study is to determine whether the human breastmilk contains ISL1-positive stem cells, and, if so, to describe the subcellular localization of ISL1.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Breast milk was obtained from fourteen healthy females during the first 2-6 months of lactation. Cell morphology was examined in the breast milk with the automatic ThinPrep® processor (Hologic® Inc.) in commercial Cytological ThinPrep® solution (Hologic® Inc.), followed by standard immunohistochemical staining of ISL1.

RESULTS: ISL1 had a granular diffuse cytoplasmic localization, with varying intensity of staining in both single and grouped cells. Nuclear staining was also present, as was staining of intracellular and extracellular vesicles with ISL1 antibody.

CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that ISL1 could distinguish a readily available source of putative stem cells in human breast milk. These stem cells may complete the network created between the mother and the newborn during gestation, thereby improving the efficiency of programming and reprogramming postnatal events.

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