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Maternal immune protection against infectious diseases.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Langel, SN; Blasi, M; Permar, SR
Published in: Cell host & microbe
May 2022

The maternal immune system protects developing offspring against pathogens before birth via transplacental transfer and after birth through secreted milk. This transferred maternal immunity influences each generation's susceptibility to infections and responsiveness to immunization. Thus, boosting immunity in the maternal-neonatal dyad is a potentially valuable public health strategy. Additionally, at critical times during fetal and postnatal development, environmental factors and immune stimuli influence immune development. These "windows of opportunity" offer a chance to identify both risk and protective factors that promote long-term health and limit disease. Here, we review pre- and postpartum maternal immune factors that protect against infectious agents in offspring and how they may shape the infant's immune landscape over time. Additionally, we discuss the influence of maternal immunity on the responsiveness to immunization in early life. Lastly, when maternal factors are insufficient to prevent neonatal infectious diseases, we discuss pre- and postnatal therapeutic strategies for the maternal-neonatal dyad.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Cell host & microbe

DOI

EISSN

1934-6069

ISSN

1931-3128

Publication Date

May 2022

Volume

30

Issue

5

Start / End Page

660 / 674

Related Subject Headings

  • Vaccination
  • Milk
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant
  • Immunology
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Immunization
  • Immunity, Maternally-Acquired
  • Humans
  • Female
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Langel, S. N., Blasi, M., & Permar, S. R. (2022). Maternal immune protection against infectious diseases. Cell Host & Microbe, 30(5), 660–674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2022.04.007
Journal cover image

Published In

Cell host & microbe

DOI

EISSN

1934-6069

ISSN

1931-3128

Publication Date

May 2022

Volume

30

Issue

5

Start / End Page

660 / 674

Related Subject Headings

  • Vaccination
  • Milk
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant
  • Immunology
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Immunization
  • Immunity, Maternally-Acquired
  • Humans
  • Female