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Maternal antibodies shape infant immune response development in an epitope-specific manner
Helle Sadam1, Regina Maruste1, Annika Rähni2
1Protobios Llc, Tallinn, Estonia.
Ebiomedicine
|December 5, 2025
Summary
Maternal and neonatal antibody levels correlate closely after birth. However, distinct recognition patterns emerge by 6 months, especially for infections like cytomegalovirus (CMV), impacting infant immunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neonatal Health
- Antibody Research
Background:
- The blood antibody repertoire records immunological history, crucial for personalized medicine and vaccinations.
- Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody repertoire formation begins prenatally.
- Understanding maternal antibody transfer is key for infant health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics of maternal antibody transfer to newborns.
- To analyze antibody repertoire changes in infants up to 6 months postpartum.
- To compare maternal and neonatal antibody responses at the epitope level.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mimotope variation analysis (MVA) to study antibody repertoires.
- Analyzed antibody transfer from 25 mothers to their neonates.
- Conducted follow-up analysis at 6 months postpartum.
Main Results:
- Strong correlation observed between maternal and neonatal antibody levels and antigen-specificity post-birth.
- Distinct epitope-level recognition patterns between mothers and infants by 6 months.
- Observed blunting/interference in infant antibody responses, particularly for cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Conclusions:
- Placental transfer of IgG antibodies significantly influences neonatal immunity.
- Understanding these transmission dynamics is vital for enhancing newborn health outcomes.
- Further research can leverage these findings for therapeutic interventions.
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