Transfer of Maternal Immunity and Programming of the Newborn Immune System

Overview

Journal Semin Immunopathol

Publisher Springer

Specialties Allergy & Immunology
Pathology

Date 2017 Oct 4

PMID 28971246

Citations 68

Authors

Madeleine F Jennewein

Bahaa Abu-Raya

Yiwei Jiang

Galit Alter

Arnaud Marchant

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

As placental mammals, the pregnant women and the fetus have intense and prolonged interactions during gestation. There is increasing evidence that multiple molecular as well as cellular components originating in pregnant women are transferred to the fetus. The transfer of maternal antibodies has long been recognized as a central component of newborn immunity against pathogens. More recent studies indicate that inflammatory mediators, micronutrients, microbial products and maternal cells are transferred in utero and influence the fetal immune system. Together, these multiple signals are likely to form a complex network of interactions that program the neonatal immune system and tune its homeostatic regulation. Maternal disorders, in particular infectious diseases, modify these signals and may thereby alter immunity in early life. Understanding maternal programming of the newborn immune system could provide a basis for interventions promoting child health.

Citing Articles

Sex-specific association of immunological markers in CS-delivered newborns with pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain of mothers.

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