TABLE 163-4.

Potential Functions of Certain Cytokines in Human Milk

Cytokines	Possible Functions
Interferon-γ	T-helper 1 cytokine-macrophage activator
Interleukin-1β	Activates T cells and macrophages
Interleukin-6	Enhances IgA production
Interleukin-8	Chemotaxin for neutrophils and CD8+ T cells
Interleukin-10	Th2 cytokine
	Inhibits production of many pro inflammatory cytokines
Interleukin-12	Th1 cytokine
	Enhances production of interferon-γ
TNF-α	Enhances production of polymeric Ig receptors
TGF-β	Enhances isotype switching to IgA+ B cells
G-CSF	Increases granulocyte (neutrophil) production
M-CSF	Increases monocyte production

G-CSF = granulocyte colony stimulating factor; M-CSF = monocyte colony stimulating factor; TGF-β = transforming growth factor-β; TNF-α = tumor necrosis factor-α.