Tissue-Resident CD8+ T Cells as Mediators of Protective Immunity in Breast Milk Transmission of Human Cytomegalovirus.

ABSTRACT: While the role of breast milk antibodies to protect infants from human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been investigated, the role of T-cells has received little attention. We compared the frequency of memory T-cell populations in breast milk between mothers of infants who acquired breast milk HCMV (transmitters) and those with uninfected infants (nontransmitters). Nontransmitter mothers had an increased frequency of CD8+ effector memory T-cells (Tem) in their breast milk. In addition, we describe tissue-resident memory T cells (Trm) in breast milk and demonstrate most were Tem. We present data that nontransmitter mothers have increased frequency of CD8+ Trm in their breast milk when compared to transmitters and that Trm frequency is inversely correlated with breast milk HCMV viral load. Lastly

SUBMITTER: Legg SB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12128083 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature