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Protection against Pertussis in Humans Correlates to Elevated Serum Antibodies and Memory B Cells

Valentina Marcellini1, Eva Piano Mortari1, Giorgio Fedele2

  • 1B Cell Physiopathology Unit, Immunology Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCSS, Rome, Italy.

Frontiers in Immunology
|October 3, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Maternal immunity to pertussis (whooping cough) is insufficient for newborns. Adult immune memory, particularly memory B cells, is crucial for fighting pertussis and should guide new vaccine development.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Pertussis, caused by Bordetella pertussis, poses a severe risk to unvaccinated infants.
  • Adults with mild pertussis symptoms are primary infection sources for neonates.
  • Maternal antibody transfer does not protect newborns from pertussis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the specific immune responses in mothers of pertussis-diagnosed neonates versus mothers of control infants.
  • To elucidate the role of maternal immune memory in pertussis protection.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of pertussis-specific antibodies (serum IgG, milk IgA) in mothers.
  • Assessment of memory B cell frequency and isotypes in maternal blood.
  • Comparison between mothers of infected neonates and control mothers.

Main Results:

  • Mothers possess pre-existing pertussis-specific antibodies and memory B cells.
  • Pertussis infection elicits a recall immune response, boosting antibody and memory B cell levels.
  • Maternal immune activation effectively prevents pertussis, despite low pre-formed antibodies.

Conclusions:

  • Memory B cells are critical for adult defense against pertussis.
  • Current maternal immunity is insufficient for neonate protection.
  • Future pertussis vaccines should focus on generating long-lived plasma cells and robust antibody responses.

Keywords:
immune systemmemory B cellspertussissIgAvaccination

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