Pre-conception maternal helminth infection transfers via nursing long-lasting cellular immunity against helminths to offspring.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 31236458.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/sciadv.aav3058 and PMC identifier 6587632.
- Licence recorded as CC BY-NC.
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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 (T<sub>H</sub>2) impaired IL-4Rα<sup>-/-</sup> offspring. This maternally acquired immunity was maintained into maturity and required transfer (via nursing) to the offspring of maternally derived T<sub>H</sub>2-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.
Medical subject headings
- Animals, Suckling
- Immunity, Cellular
- Immunity, Maternally-Acquired
- Strongylida Infections