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Publication: Pre-conception maternal helminth infection transfers via nursing long-lasting cellular immunity against helminths to offspring
Darby, M.G Chetty, A Mrjden, D Rolot, M Smith, K Mackowiak, C Sedda, D Nyangahu, D Jaspan, H Toellner, K.M
Darby, M.G
Chetty, A
Mrjden, D
Rolot, M
Smith, K
Mackowiak, C
Sedda, D
Nyangahu, D
Jaspan, H
Toellner, K.M
Abstract
Maternal immune transfer is the most significant source of protection from early-life infection, but whether maternal transfer of immunity by nursing permanently alters offspring immunity is poorly understood. Here, we identify maternal immune imprinting of offspring nursed by mothers who had a pre-conception helminth infection. Nursing of pups by helminth-exposed mothers transferred protective cellular immunity to these offspring against helminth infection. Enhanced control of infection was not dependent on maternal antibody. Protection associated with systemic development of protective type 2 immunity in T helper 2 (TH2) impaired IL-4Rα−/− offspring. This maternally acquired immunity was maintained into maturity and required transfer (via nursing) to the offspring of maternally derived TH2-competent CD4 T cells. Our data therefore reveal that maternal exposure to a globally prevalent source of infection before pregnancy provides long-term nursing-acquired immune benefits to offspring mediated by maternally derived pathogen-experienced lymphocytes.
Description
Date
2019-05
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Collections
Research Projects
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Keywords
Immunology,Maternal immune,Helminths to offspring,Cellular immunity
Citation
Darby MG, Chetty A, Mrjden D, et al. Pre-conception maternal helminth infection transfers via nursing long-lasting cellular immunity against helminths to offspring. Science Advances. 2019 May;5(5):eaav3058. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aav3058