Pre-conception maternal helminth infection transfers via nursing long-lasting cellular immunity against helminths to offspring

  • Matthew G. Darby
  • , Alisha Chetty
  • , Dunja Mrjden
  • , Marion Rolot
  • , Katherine Smith
  • , Claire MacKowiak
  • , Delphine Sedda
  • , Donald Nyangahu
  • , Heather Jaspan
  • , Kai Michael Toellner
  • , Ari Waisman
  • , Valerie Quesniaux
  • , Bernhard Ryffel
  • , Adam F. Cunningham
  • , Benjamin G. Dewals
  • , Frank Brombacher
  • , William G.C. Horsnell*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)
191 Downloads (Pure)

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.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbereaav3058
JournalScience Advances
Volume5
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 May 2019

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General
  • Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)

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