Darby, M.GChetty, AMrjden, DRolot, MSmith, KMackowiak, CSedda, DNyangahu, DJaspan, HToellner, K.MWaisman, AQuesniaux, VRyffel, BCunningham, A.FDewals, B.GBrombacher, FHorsnell, W.C.G2024-10-022024-10-022019-05Darby 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.aav305810.1126/sciadv.aav305810.1126/sciadv.aav3058https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6587632/https://hdl.handle.net/11288/597672Maternal 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.enAttribution 3.0 United Stateshttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/ImmunologyMaternal immuneHelminths to offspringCellular immunityArticleImmunology