Three‐dimensional culture system can induce expression of casein in immortalized bovine mammary epithelial cells

Primary bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) are not ideal models for long‐term studies of lactation mechanisms because these cells in a monolayer culture system cannot be polarized to simulate the physiological functions in vitro. We investigate the effects of different culture models and karyotypes on casein expression in a three‐dimensional (3D) culture system. The immortalized cells' karyotypes were analyzed at passages 10, 20, 30 and 40 to detect the effects of chromosome stability. Western blotting examined that whether or not the immortalized cells at passages 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 could induce expression of casein in a 3D culture system. The proper polarization of the acinar structures was monitored. BMECs were successfully immortalized. The cell karyotype at passage 30 remained at 60 chromosomes and the average value was 57.1 ± 0.40 after passage 40. The polarized protein's levels were up‐regulated in 3D culture compared to 2D culture. Expression of αs1, β and κ‐casein could be detectable in a passage range in 3D culture. Expression of αs2‐casein was undetectable in all experimental groups. However, all casein expressions were barely detectable in traditional 2D culture system. Therefore, 3D culture system is an important tool for the long‐term study of lactation mechanisms in vitro.     

催乳素对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞乳脂和乳蛋白合成相关基因表达的影响

本试验旨在探讨催乳素对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞(BMECs)乳脂和乳蛋白合成相关基因表达的影响。选取中国荷斯坦奶牛BMECs为试验材料,经纯化培养后,培养基中添加不同浓度催乳素[0(对照)、100、300、500和1 000 ng/m L],继续培养24 h。通过四甲基偶氮唑盐(MTT)比色法检测细胞活力;利用试剂盒检测胞内甘油三酯的含量;采用实时定量PCR法检测乳脂和乳蛋白合成相关基因的表达。结果表明:1)催乳素浓度为100、300 ng/m L时,BMECs相对增殖率显著高于对照组与其他试验组(P0.05)。2)与对照组相比,300 ng/m L催乳素能够显著提高BM ECs乙酰辅酶A羧化酶(ACC)、二酰甘油酰基转移酶(DG AT)、脂肪酸结合蛋白3(FABP3)基因表达量及甘油三酯的含量(P0.05),硬脂酰辅酶A去饱和酶(SCD)、过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(PPARγ)基因表达量有增加的趋势。3)与对照组相比,100、300 ng/m L催乳素能够显著提高哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(m TOR)、催乳素受体(PRLR)基因表达量(P0.05);300 ng/m L催乳素能显著提高αS1酪蛋白(CSN1 S1)基因表达量(P0.05)。综上所述,100~300 ng/m L的催乳素对BM ECs乳脂和乳蛋白合成有较好的促进效果。     

Effect of interaction between leucine and acetate on the milk protein synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells

The interaction between Leucine (Leu) and acetate affecting milk protein synthesis in the bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs), and underlying the molecular mechanisms are not well understood. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of Leu, acetate, and their interaction on the expression of genes involved in milk protein synthesis, and JACK2/STAT5, mTOR and AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. The study was a 2 × 6 factorial arrangement with treatments: Leu concentration (0.45 and 1.8 mM) and acetate concentration (0, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 mM). The results showed that 1.8 mM Leu or 8–10 mM acetate had positive effect on ATP content, the expression of casein genes, JACK2/STAT5 and phosphorylation of mTOR pathway, but reduced AMPK phosphorylation. Leu at 1.8mM had a positive effect on the up‐regulation of acetate on ATP content, the expression of CSN1S1, CSN2, CSN3, and JACK2, the expression and phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E, p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase‐1, and mTOR, but reducing AMPK phosphorylation. The results suggest that acetate, Leu, and their interaction have effect on milk protein synthesis through the JACK2/STAT5, mTOR, and AMPK pathway. Acetate addition up‐regulated the effect of Leu on milk protein synthesis, and Leu facilitated the up‐regulation of acetate on milk protein synthesis through these pathways.     

Identification of IGF binding proteins in bovine milk and the demonstration of IGFBP-3 synthesis and release by bovine mammary epithelial cells.

Insulin-like growth factor system components are synthesized and secreted by mammary epithelial cells and multiple IGF binding proteins (IGFBP) are found in milk of various species. This study was conducted to identify the IGFBP in bovine milk, to compare them with those found in blood, and to identify the cell(s) responsible for mammary IGFBP synthesis. Bovine blood, milk, and cell culture-conditioned media were analyzed and characterized with Western ligand blot procedures for specific IGFBP. Electrophoresis and [125I]IGF-II ligand blot analyses of the samples indicated that, unlike serum and mammary primary cell culture-conditioned media, milk required removal of casein in order to accurately disclose all IGFBP. Immunoprecipitation studies identified IGFBP-2, -3, -4, and -5 in blood, milk, and primary cell culture conditioned media. The IGFBP were present at higher concentrations in serum than in milk, and milk concentrations were greater than that shown in conditioned media from primary cultures of bovine mammary cells. Northern analysis detected IGFBP-3 messenger RNA in extracts from fresh tissue and cells in culture, and in situ hybridization studies with fresh tissue utilizing probes for IGFBP-3 and alphaS1-casein showed that the mRNA for IGFBP-3 is predominant in the secretory epithelial cells, when compared to other tissue cell types.     

The effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae1026 used alone or with vitamin-mineral premix on milk yield and milk composition in dairy cows

The effect of a yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae1026) added to the diet with or without supplementation with vitamin premix and mineral bioplexes on milk production responses of 30 early-lactation Black and White Lowland cows was determined in a 17-week experiment. The daily ration (DM) consisted of 55% forages and 45% concentrates. Milk yield and milk composition were only slightly influenced by the yeast culture given without premix, but combined supplementation with yeast culture and premix exerted a significant effect on milk production and composition. Cows supplied with the yeast culture produced 38 kg more milk than the controls by day 120 of lactation, whereas from cows fed yeast culture and premix an additional 150 kg of milk was obtained. In cows treated with the yeast culture alone, the total yield of milk protein, casein and lactose rose by 4.4 kg, 3.0 kg and 6.0 kg, respectively, and that increase was not significant. At the same time, the total yield of milk components increased significantly in cows fed a combination of yeast culture, vitamin premix and mineral bioplexes. The total yield of milk protein, casein and milk fat increased by 9.2 kg, 6.0 kg and 8.2 kg, respectively. The results suggest that mineral bioplexes stimulate the action of yeast culture in the rumen and the availability of nutrients in the mammary gland.     

Proteomic analysis to unravel the effect of heat stress on gene expression and milk synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells

Heat stress can play a negative effect on milk yield and composition of dairy cattle, leading to immeasurable economic loss. The basic components of the mammary gland are the alveoli; these alveolar mammary epithelial cells reflect the milk producing ability of dairy cows. In this study, we exposed bovine mammary epithelial cells to heat stress and compared them to a control group using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation combined with liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Compared with a control group, 104 differentially elevated proteins (>1.3‐fold) and 167 decreased proteins (<0.77‐fold) were identified in the heat treatment group. Gene Ontology analysis identified a majority of the differentially expressed proteins are associated in cell‐substrate junction assembly, catabolic processes and metabolic processes. Some of these significantly regulated proteins were related to the synthesis and secretion of milk, such as milk protein and fat. This finding was further supported by the results obtained from the reduced β‐casein expression through the system of plasminogen activator – plasminogen – plasmin and decreased fatty acid synthase could partly explain why milk fat synthesis ability of dairy cows decreased under heat stress. Our results highlight the effects of heat stress on synthesis of milk protein and fat, thus providing additional clues for further studies of heat stress on dairy milk production.     

奶牛乳腺上皮细胞的原代培养及其生物学特性分析

旨在从奶牛乳腺组织中分离原代乳腺上皮细胞（bovine mammary epithelial cells,BMECs）并传代培养后探究其生物学特性。本研究从屠宰场采集健康泌乳奶牛乳腺并采用改进的酶消化法从乳腺中分离得到原代奶牛乳腺上皮细胞,通过形态学观察、免疫荧光以及染色体核型分析的方法对其进行鉴定。同时,研究第3、第6和第9代乳腺上皮细胞的生长曲线、群体倍增时间和冻存复苏活力,检测不同代次细胞分泌乳蛋白、乳脂、乳糖的功能及泌乳相关基因的表达。结果表明,所分离的奶牛乳腺上皮细胞纯度较好,细胞生长呈现S型,3个代次细胞的群体倍增时间依次为34.87、41.45和65.04 h,冻存复苏活力为88%~93%;在细胞分泌功能方面,诱导培养2 d后均能检测到酪蛋白、甘油三酯和乳糖,且各代次间无显著差异;此外,3个代次的细胞诱导后均能表达乳成分合成相关基因。本研究成功培养了原代奶牛乳腺上皮细胞,并证明直到第9代细胞仍然具有正常的生物学功能,为体外探究乳腺细胞增殖与分化机制提供了良好的试验材料和技术支撑。     

牛乳腺上皮细胞体外分离培养模式、方法及其应用进展

乳腺由具有泌乳功能的腺泡组成,乳腺上皮细胞(MEC)以单层方式排列在腺泡外围,是乳腺对外界病原进行免疫保护的重要组分,负责将血液中的营养物质通过一系列复杂生化过程转化为乳汁。牛乳腺上皮细胞(BMECs)的体外分离培养在很大程度上解决了活体试验条件不可控、操作困难、成本高及个体差异大等诸多问题,还可以为体外研究乳腺组织生长发育规律、泌乳机制、乳房疾病等提供良好的细胞模型。本文总结了BMECs的分类和作用、培养方法、模式及其在基因表达机理研究和组学中的应用进展,以期为BMECs体外培养及相关研究提供有价值的参考和新思路。     

Growth hormone and lactogenic hormones can reduce the leptin mRNA expression in bovine mammary epithelial cells

Leptin mRNA is expressed in not only adipocytes but also mammary epithelial cells and leptin protein is present in milk. Although milk leptin is thought to influence metabolism or the immune system in neonates, there is little information about the regulation of leptin expression in mammary epithelial cells. We examined the effect of growth hormone (GH) and/or lactogenic hormone complex (DIP; dexamethasone, insulin and prolactin) on leptin mRNA expression in mammary epithelial cells. We used a bovine mammary epithelial cell (BMEC) clonal line, which was established from a 26-day pregnant Holstein heifer. We confirmed that the mRNA was expressed in BMECs and the expression was significantly reduced by GH and/or DIP, when the cells were cultured on both plastic plates and cell culture inserts at days 2 and 7 after stimulation with lactogenic hormones. GH and/or DIP significantly increased level of alpha-casein mRNA in BMECs after 7 days on the cell culture inserts, but no mRNA expression was detected at day 2. GH and DIP significantly stimulated the secretion of alpha-casein from BMEC on cell culture inserts at 3.5 and 7 days. However, neither alpha-casein mRNA expression nor secretion was observed in the BMECs cultured on plastic dishes, even in the presence of GH or/and DIP. These results indicate that GH and DIP can directly reduce leptin mRNA expression in both undifferentiated and functionally differentiated bovine mammary epithelial cell.     

Genomic additive and dominance variance of milk performance traits

Milk performance traits are likely influenced by both additive and non‐additive (e.g. dominance) genetic effects. Genetic variation can be partitioned using genomic information. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic variance components of production and milk component traits (e.g. acetone, fatty acids), which are particularly important for milk processing or which can provide information on the health status of cows. A genomic relationship approach was applied to phenotypic and genetic information of 1295 Holstein cows for estimating additive genetic and dominance variance components. Most of the 17 investigated traits were mainly affected by additive genetic effects, but protein content and casein content also showed a significant contribution of dominance. The ratio of dominance to additive variance was estimated as 0.64 for protein content and 0.56 for casein content. This ratio was highest for SCS (1.36) although dominance was not significant. Dominance effects were negligible in other moderately heritable milk traits.     

蛋氨酸三肽对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞酪蛋白和小肽转运载体基因表达量的影响

本试验旨在研究蛋氨酸三肽(Met-Met-Met)对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞(BMECs)酪蛋白和小肽转运载体基因表达量的影响。采用酶消化法培养的第3代奶牛乳腺上皮细胞为模型,各处理在培养基中分别添加0(对照)、40、50、60、70和80μg/mL的蛋氨酸三肽,每个处理5个重复,每个重复1个培养孔,分别培养细胞24、48和72h,检测奶牛乳腺上皮细胞的相对增殖率,整体试验重复2次,确定最佳培养时间;各处理在培养基中分别添加0(对照)、40、50、60、70和80μg/mL的蛋氨酸三肽,每个处理3个重复,每个重复1个培养孔,以最佳培养时间培养,用实时定量PCR法检测酪蛋白基因的表达量,确定适宜蛋氨酸三肽浓度,整体试验重复3次;以最佳培养时间和适宜蛋氨酸三肽浓度培养细胞,以未添加蛋氨酸三肽的培养基为对照,每个处理3个重复,每个重复1个培养孔,测定小肽转运载体基因的表达量,整体试验重复3次。结果表明:在培养基中添加蛋氨酸三肽培养奶牛乳腺上皮细胞24h时,相对增殖率最高;培养基中加入60μg/mL的蛋氨酸三肽培养细胞24h,αs1-酪蛋白和β-酪蛋白的基因表达量最高,同时发现奶牛乳腺上皮细胞中小肽转运载体1和小肽转运载体2基因表达量显著高于对照处理(P0.05)。综上所述,培养基中添加60μg/mL的蛋氨酸三肽能够提高奶牛乳腺上皮细胞酪蛋白和肽转运载体基因的表达量。     

Effects of phenylalanine and threonine oligopeptides on milk protein synthesis in cultured bovine mammary epithelial cells

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of phenylalanine (Phe) and threonine (Thr) oligopeptides on α_s1 casein gene expression and milk protein synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells. Primary mammary epithelial cells were obtained from Holstein dairy cows and incubated in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium‐F12 medium (DMEM/F12) containing lactogenic hormones (prolactin and glucocorticoids). Free Phe (117 μg/ml) was substituted partly with peptide‐bound Phe (phenylalanylphenylalanine, phenylalanyl threonine, threonyl‐phenylalanyl‐phenylalanine) in the experimental media. After incubation with experimental medium, cells were collected for gene expression analysis and medium was collected for milk protein or amino acid determination. The results showed that peptide‐bound Phe at 10% (11.7 μg/ml) significantly enhanced α_s1 casein gene expression and milk protein synthesis as compared with equivalent amount of free Phe. When 10% Phe was replaced by phenylalanylphenylalanine, the disappearance of most essential amino acids increased significantly, and gene expression of peptide transporter 2 and some amino acid transporters was significantly enhanced. These results indicate that the Phe and Thr oligopeptides are important for milk protein synthesis, and peptide‐bound amino acids could be utilised more efficiently in milk protein synthesis than the equivalent amount of free amino acids.     

含蛋氨酸二肽影响奶牛乳腺上皮细胞乳蛋白合成相关基因表达

本试验旨在研究含蛋氨酸(Met)二肽对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞(BMECs)内乳蛋白合成相关基因表达的影响。试验分3部分,均采用单因子完全随机试验设计,Met的添加浓度及培养时间分别为60μg/m L(0.402 mmol/L)、48 h。第1部分,培养液添加8种含Met二肽[蛋氨酸-蛋氨酸(P-Met-Met)、蛋氨酸-赖氨酸(P-Met-Lys)、蛋氨酸-色氨酸(P-Met-Trp)、蛋氨酸-苯丙氨酸(P-Met-Phe)、蛋氨酸-苏氨酸(P-Met-Thr)、蛋氨酸-异亮氨酸(P-Met-Ile)、蛋氨酸-亮氨酸(P-Met-Leu)、蛋氨酸-缬氨酸(P-Met-Val)],以不添加二肽为对照,测定BMECs乳蛋白合成相关基因(αs1-酪蛋白、β-酪蛋白、κ-酪蛋白、β-乳球蛋白、Ⅱ型小肽转运载体和氨肽酶氮)的表达量;第2部分,培养液添加8种与上述二肽对应的游离氨基酸(F-Met-Met、F-Met-Lys、F-MetTrp、F-M et-Phe、F-M et-Thr、F-M et-Ile、F-M et-Leu、F-M et-Val),以不添加游离氨基酸为对照,测定BM ECs乳蛋白合成相关基因的表达量;第3部分,用二肽等物质的量替代相应游离氨基酸,测定BMECs乳蛋白合成相关基因的表达量以及细胞内外氨肽酶含量。结果表明:P-Met-Met和P-M et-Lys组较对照组和其他二肽组上调了αs1-酪蛋白和β-酪蛋白基因的表达量,且P-M et-M et组优于P-Met-Lys组。F-Met-Met和F-Met-Lys组较对照组和其他游离氨基酸组显著提高了αs1-酪蛋白基因的表达量(P0.05)。除P-Met-Val和P-Met-Leu组外,其他二肽替代游离氨基酸后均不同程度地提高了乳蛋白和Ⅱ型小肽转运载体基因的表达量,其中P-Met-Met表现出较好的促进效果。总之,含Met二肽等量替代对应的游离氨基酸能够促进乳蛋白基因的表达,其中尤以P-Met-Met的效果最好。     

Role of extracellular matrix and prolactin in functional differentiation of bovine BME-UV1 mammary epithelial cells

Interactions between extracellular matrix (ECM) and epithelial cells are necessary for proper organisation and function of the epithelium. In the present study we show that bovine mammary epithelial cell line BME-UV1 cultured on ECM components, commercially available as Matrigel, constitutes a good model for studying mechanisms controlling functional differentiation of the bovine mammary gland. In contact with Matrigel BME-UV1 cells induce apicobasal polarity, and within 16 days form three dimensional (3D) acinar structures with a centrally localized hollow lumen, which structurally resemble mammary alveoli present in the functionally active mammary gland. We have shown that the 3D culture system enables a high expression and proper localisation of integrin receptors and tight junction proteins in BME-UV1 cells to be induced. This effect was not obtained in cells grown in the classical 2D culture system on plastic. Moreover, ECM highly stimulated the synthesis of one of the major milk proteins, beta-casein, even in the absence of prolactin. Our results show that contact with ECM plays an important role in the lactogenic activity of bovine MECs, however, prolactin is necessary for the efficient secretion of milk proteins.     

Neutrophil extracellular trap formation by bovine neutrophils is not inhibited by milk

Neutrophils are the first line of defense in a mammary gland infection. However, the process of neutrophil transmigration across a membrane and ingestion of fat and/or casein when incubated in milk have been shown to inhibit bacterial phagocytosis and oxidative burst functions. Recently, a killing mechanism has been described whereby stimulated neutrophils release nuclear and granule material in fibrous webs that physically trap and kill bacteria. We demonstrate that these neutrophil extracellular traps are also produced by bovine blood neutrophils stimulated with PMA/ionomycin. Importantly, neutrophil extracellular traps can be formed when neutrophils have been incubated for up to 6h in milk prior to stimulation. This contrasts milk's rapid inhibition of bacterial phagocytosis and oxidative burst functions in the neutrophil. Furthermore, stimulation of neutrophils with bacteria common to mammary gland infections leads to neutrophil extracellular traps being formed in milk. Some bacteria tested stimulated enhanced formation of neutrophil extracellular traps in milk compared to culture media. Therefore, being unaffected by incubation in milk may indicate an important role for neutrophil extracellular traps in defense against mastitis.     

性腺激素对山羊子宫内膜细胞TNF-α与TGF-β分泌活性的影响

为探讨性腺激素对山羊子宫内膜细胞分泌活性的影响,基于套皿培养技术构建永生化山羊子宫内膜上皮细胞(EEC)与基质细胞(ESC)共培养体外研究模型,通过ELISA检测性腺激素E2和/或P4对单独培养EEC中TNF-α与TGF-β分泌活性的调节作用以及ESC对该培养体系的影响.结果显示:与未加激素对照组相比,单独或混合添加E2和P4均可显著增加单独培养EEC向顶端分泌TNF-α水平(P＜0.05),而对细胞基底端TNF-α分泌活性影响不显著;E2单独作用较对照组显著降低EEC向细胞顶端分泌TGF-β水平(P＜0.05),P4单独或与E2共同作用下则主要对单独培养EEC顶端及基底端分泌TGF-p水平具有显著增强作用(P＜0.05).对于EEC-ESC共培养细胞模式,E2和/或P4显著降低EEC顶端和基底端TNF-α分泌水平(P＜0.05);EEC顶端TGF-β分泌水平在E2和/或P4作用下显著降低(P＜0.05),而EEC基底端TGF-β分泌水平不受激素作用所影响.激素对单独培养及与ESC共培养模式下的极化EEC顶端及基底端TNF-α与TGF-β分泌水平的差异,提示ESC对激素作用下山羊子宫内膜上皮细胞分泌方向及分泌水平的重要调节作用.     

辣木叶多糖对过氧化氢诱导奶牛乳腺上皮细胞氧化损伤的保护作用

奶牛乳腺上皮细胞(BMECs)在奶牛泌乳期代谢旺盛,导致活性氧(ROS)大量产生,从而诱发氧化应激。辣木叶多糖(MLP)能有效清除ROS和自由基,但其是否具有缓解BMECs氧化损伤的潜力尚不清楚。因此,本文以MLP为添加剂,探究其对过氧化氢(H2O2)诱导BMECs氧化损伤的保护作用。本试验首先将分离的BMECs置于含有不同浓度H2O2的培养基中培养2 h建立氧化损伤模型,以确定H2O2的适宜浓度;随后在培养基中加入不同浓度MLP溶液培养BMECs 2 h,以确定MLP适宜浓度;最终选用浓度为500μmol/L的H2O2和4 mg/mL的MLP用于本试验。试验设置4个组,分别为对照组1(BMECs)、对照组2(BMECs+MLP)、损伤组(BMECs+H2O2)、保护组(BMECs+MLP+H2O2),每组3个重复。试验对BMECs中ROS数量、BMECs凋亡以及BMECs中过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量进行检测。结果表明:1)ROS检测结果显示,MLP抑制了细胞内ROS的生成。2)Hochest33258染色结果与透射电镜观察结果显示,MLP降低了BMECs的凋亡率,同时保持了细胞膜和细胞结构完整性。3)试剂盒检测结果显示,MLP提高了BMECs中CAT、GSH-Px和SOD活性,同时降低了MDA含量。综上所述,MLP可有效减缓BMECs凋亡,提高其抗氧化能力。     

Effects of induced energy deficiency on lactoferrin concentration in milk and the lactoferrin reaction of primary bovine mammary epithelial cells in vitro

A dietary energy restriction to 49% of total energy requirements was conducted with Red Holstein cows for three weeks in mid‐lactation. At the last day of the restriction phase, primary bovine mammary epithelial cells (pbMEC) of eight restriction (RF) and seven control‐fed (CF) cows were extracted out of one litre of milk and cultured. In their third passage, an immune challenge with the most prevalent, heat‐inactivated mastitis pathogens Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was conducted. Lactoferrin (LF) was determined on gene expression and protein level. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to determine LF in milk samples taken twice weekly throughout the animal trial, beginning on day 20 pp (post‐partum) until day 150 pp, in cell culture total protein and in cell culture supernatant. Milk LF increased throughout the lactation and decreased significantly during the induced energy deficiency in the RF group. At the beginning of realimentation, LF concentration increased immediately in the RF group and reached higher levels than before the induced deficit following the upward trend seen in the CF group. Cell culture data revealed higher levels (up to sevenfold up‐regulation in gene expression) and significant higher LF protein concentration in the RF compared to the CF group cells. A further emphasized effect was found in E. coli compared to S. aureus exposed cells. The general elevated LF levels in the RF pbMEC group and the further increase owing to the immune challenge indicate an unexpected memory ability of milk‐extracted mammary cells that were transposed into in vitro conditions and even displayed in the third passage of cultivation. The study confirms the suitability of the non‐invasive milk‐extracted pbMEC culture model to monitor the influence of feeding experiments on immunological situations in vivo.