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Influence of maternal antibodies on neonatal immunization against respiratory viruses
1Departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA. james.crowe@vanderbilt.edu
Insights
Maternal antibodies can impact infant vaccine responses to respiratory and measles viruses. Understanding and overcoming this antibody-mediated immunosuppression is crucial for effective infant immunization strategies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Infants are vulnerable to severe respiratory virus diseases, necessitating early vaccination.
- Maternal IgG antibodies (Abs) transferred across the placenta can influence infant immune responses to vaccines.
- These maternal Abs may offer partial protection but can also suppress or enhance infant immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the current knowledge on the effects of maternal Abs on infant immunization against respiratory and measles viruses.
- To review strategies for overcoming Ab-mediated immunosuppression in infants.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating maternal Ab effects on infant immunity.
- Analysis of mechanisms regulating immune responses influenced by maternal Abs.
Main Results:
- Maternal Abs can significantly modulate infant immune responses to viral vaccines.
- The precise mechanisms of this modulation (suppression or enhancement) are still under investigation.
Conclusions:
- Effective infant vaccination requires understanding and addressing the impact of maternal Abs.
- Developing strategies to overcome Ab-mediated immunosuppression is essential for successful infant immunization programs.
Abstract:
Vaccines that successfully prevent severe infant respiratory virus diseases should induce protection at a very young age because of the low age of patients who are hospitalized owing to these viruses. Candidate respiratory virus vaccines are being tested in infants who are naïve to infection but seropositive to the viral agents because they possess maternal IgG antibodies (Abs). Transplacental maternal Abs may be partially protective against disease caused by respiratory virus infections. Carefully conducted studies have shown that these Abs can also profoundly suppress or enhance infant immune responses to immunization. The mechanisms underlying regulation of immune responses to viruses by maternal Abs are under investigation. This article explores the current knowledge regarding the effect of maternal Abs on respiratory virus and measles virus immunization, and it reviews the current approaches to overcoming Ab-mediated immunosuppression.