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

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 (T_H2) impaired IL-4Rα^-/- offspring. This maternally acquired immunity was maintained into maturity and required transfer (via nursing) to the offspring o

SUBMITTER: Darby MG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6587632 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature