Single-cell immunophenotyping of the fetal immune response to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in late gestation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of pregnant women have been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The implications of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on fetal and childhood well-being need to be characterized. We aimed to characterize the fetal immune response to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods

We performed single-cell RNA-sequencing and T cell receptor sequencing on cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) from newborns of mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the third trimester (cases) or without SARS-CoV-2 infection (controls).

Results

We identified widespread gene expression changes in CBMCs from cases, including upregulation of interferon-stimulated genes and major histocompatibility complex genes in CD14⁺ monocytes, transcriptional changes suggestive of activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and activation and exhaustion of natural killer cells. Lastly, we observed fetal T cell clonal expansion in cases compared to controls.

Conclusions

As none of the infants were infected with SARS-CoV-2, our results suggest that maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection might modulate the fetal immune system in the absence of vertical transmission.

Impact

The implications of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in the absence of vertical transmission on fetal and childhood well-being are poorly understood. Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection might modulate the fetal immune system in the absence of vertical transmission. This study raises important questions about the untoward effects of maternal SARS-CoV-2 on the fetus, even in the absence of vertical transmission.

SUBMITTER: Matute JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8573077 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature