Infant immunity against viral infections is advanced by the placenta-dependent vertical transfer of maternal antibodies.

Infant immunity against viral infections is advanced by the placenta-dependent vertical transfer of maternal antibodies. Vaccine. 2021 Jan 08;: Authors: Albrecht M, Pagenkemper M, Wiessner C, Spohn M, Lütgehetmann M, Jacobsen H, Gabriel G, Zazara DE, Haertel C, Hecher K, Diemert A, Arck PC Abstract Neonatal passive immunity, derived from transplacental transfer of IgG antibodies from mother to fetus during pregnancy, can mitigate the risk for severe infections in the early postnatal period. Understanding the placenta as the gateway organ in this process, we aimed to evaluate the influence of specific factors modulating the transplacental IgG transfer rate (TPTR) in 141 mother/neonate pairs. We further evaluated the potential health advantage elicited by maternal IgG with regard to respiratory tract infections during infancy and early childhood. Data and biological samples collected within the prospective longitudinal pregnancy cohort study PRINCE (Prenatal Identification of Children's Health) were used for these analyses. We tested IgG antibody levels against seven pathogens (measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis and influenza A) by ELISA and detected seropositivity in 72.6-100% of pregnant women and in 76.3-100% of their neonates, respectively. Cord blood IgG levels reached 137-160% of levels detected in maternal blood. Strikingly, assessment of TPTR for all seven antigens highlighted that TPTR strongly depends on...
Source: Vaccine - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Tags: Vaccine Source Type: research