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Malinská N, Grobárová V, Knížková K, Černý J. Maternal-Fetal Microchimerism: Impacts on Offspring's Immune Development and Transgenerational Immune Memory Transfer. Physiol Res 2024; 73:315-332. [PMID: 39027950 PMCID: PMC11299782 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.935296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Maternal-fetal microchimerism is a fascinating phenomenon in which maternal cells migrate to the tissues of the offspring during both pregnancy and breastfeeding. These cells primarily consist of leukocytes and stem cells. Remarkably, these maternal cells possess functional potential in the offspring and play a significant role in shaping their immune system development. T lymphocytes, a cell population mainly found in various tissues of the offspring, have been identified as the major cell type derived from maternal microchimerism. These T lymphocytes not only exert effector functions but also influence the development of the offspring's T lymphocytes in the thymus and the maturation of B lymphocytes in the lymph nodes. Furthermore, the migration of maternal leukocytes also facilitates the transfer of immune memory across generations. Maternal microchimerism has also been observed to address immunodeficiencies in the offspring. This review article focuses on investigating the impact of maternal cells transported within maternal microchimerism on the immune system development of the offspring, as well as elucidating the effector functions of maternal cells that migrate through the placenta and breast milk to reach the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Malinská
- Laboratory of Cell Immunology, Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
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2
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Yu J, Yan Y, Li S, Xu Y, Parolia A, Rizvi S, Wang W, Zhai Y, Xiao R, Li X, Liao P, Zhou J, Okla K, Lin H, Lin X, Grove S, Wei S, Vatan L, Hu J, Szumilo J, Kotarski J, Freeman ZT, Skala S, Wicha M, Cho KR, Chinnaiyan AM, Schon S, Wen F, Kryczek I, Wang S, Chen L, Zou W. Progestogen-driven B7-H4 contributes to onco-fetal immune tolerance. Cell 2024:S0092-8674(24)00652-4. [PMID: 38968937 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Immune tolerance mechanisms are shared in cancer and pregnancy. Through cross-analyzing single-cell RNA-sequencing data from multiple human cancer types and the maternal-fetal interface, we found B7-H4 (VTCN1) is an onco-fetal immune tolerance checkpoint. We showed that genetic deficiency of B7-H4 resulted in immune activation and fetal resorption in allogeneic pregnancy models. Analogously, B7-H4 contributed to MPA/DMBA-induced breast cancer progression, accompanied by CD8+ T cell exhaustion. Female hormone screening revealed that progesterone stimulated B7-H4 expression in placental and breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, progesterone receptor (PR) bound to a newly identified -58 kb enhancer, thereby mediating B7-H4 transcription via the PR-P300-BRD4 axis. PR antagonist or BRD4 degrader potentiated immunotherapy in a murine B7-H4+ breast cancer model. Thus, our work unravels a mechanistic and biological connection of a female sex hormone (progesterone) to onco-fetal immune tolerance via B7-H4 and suggests that the PR-P300-BRD4 axis is targetable for treating B7-H4+ cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Yu
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yijian Yan
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shasha Li
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ying Xu
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Abhijit Parolia
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Syed Rizvi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan School of Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Weichao Wang
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yiwen Zhai
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rongxin Xiao
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Xiong Li
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Peng Liao
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jiajia Zhou
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Karolina Okla
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Oncological Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Heng Lin
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Xun Lin
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sara Grove
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shuang Wei
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Linda Vatan
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jiantao Hu
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Justyna Szumilo
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jan Kotarski
- Department of Oncological Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Zachary T Freeman
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Stephanie Skala
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Max Wicha
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kathleen R Cho
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Arul M Chinnaiyan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Samantha Schon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Fei Wen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan School of Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ilona Kryczek
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shaomeng Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lieping Chen
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Weiping Zou
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Graduate Program in Cancer Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Benichou G, Lancia HH. Intercellular transfer of MHC molecules in T cell alloimmunity and allotransplantation. Biomed J 2024:100749. [PMID: 38797478 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2024.100749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
After transplantation of allogeneic tissues and organs, recognition by recipient T cells of donor MHC molecules initiates the pro-inflammatory adaptive immune response leading to allograft rejection. T cell allorecognition has long been known to be mediated via two distinct pathways: the direct pathway in which T cells recognize intact allogeneic MHC molecules displayed on donor cells and the indirect pathway whereby T cells recognize donor MHC peptides processed and presented by recipient antigen-presenting cells (APCs). It is believed that direct allorecognition is the driving force behind early acute allograft rejection while indirect allorecognition is involved in chronic allograft rejection, a progressive condition characterized by graft vasculopathy and tissue fibrosis. Recently, we and others have reported that after transplantation of allogeneic skin and organs, donor MHC molecules are transferred from donor cells to the host's APCs via trogocytosis or extracellular vesicles. Recipient APCs having captured donor MHC molecules can either present them to T cells in the intact form on their surface (semi-direct pathway) or the form of peptides bound to self-MHC molecules (indirect pathway). The present article provides an overview of recent studies evaluating the role of intercellular exchange of MHC molecules in T cell alloimmunity and its contribution to allograft rejection and tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Benichou
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
| | - Hyshem H Lancia
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Hemon M, Giassi M, Ghaffar Y, Martin M, Roudier J, Auger I, Lambert NC. Microchimeric cells promote production of rheumatoid arthritis-specific autoantibodies. J Autoimmun 2024; 146:103238. [PMID: 38754239 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2024.103238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women are more likely to develop autoimmune diseases than men. Contribution from microchimerism (Mc) has been proposed, as women naturally acquire Mc from more sources than men because of pregnancy. Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) who lack RA-associated HLA alleles have been found to harbor Mc with RA-associated HLA alleles in higher amounts than healthy women in prior work. However, an immunological impact of Mc remains to be elucidated. OBJECTIVES To test the hypothesis that Mc with RA-risk associated HLA alleles can result in the production of RA-associated autoantibodies, when host genetic risk is absent. METHODS DBA/2 mice are unable to produce RA-specific anti-citrullinated autoantibodies (ACPAs) after immunization with the enzyme peptidyl arginine deiminase (PAD) in a previously developed model. DBA/2 females were mated with C57BL/6 males humanized to express HLA-DR4, which is associated with RA-risk and production of ACPAs, to evaluate DR4+ fetal Mc contribution. Next, DBA/2 females born of heterozygous DR4+/- mothers were evaluated for DR4+ Mc of maternal or littermate origin. Finally, DBA/2 females from DR4+/- mothers were crossed with DR4+ males, to evaluate the contribution of any Mc source to ACPA production. RESULTS After PAD immunization, between 20 % and 43 % of DBA/2 females (otherwise unable to produce ACPAs) had detectable ACPAs (CCP2 kit) after exposure to sources of Mc with RA-associated HLA alleles, compared to 0 % of unmated/unexposed DBA/2 females. Further the microchimeric origin of the autoantibodies was confirmed by detecting a C57BL/6-specific immunoglobulin isotype in the DBA/2 response. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that Mc cells can produce "autoantibodies" and points to a role of Mc in the biology of autoimmune diseases, including RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Hemon
- INSERM UMRs 1097 Arthrites Autoimmunes, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France; Arthritis R&D, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
| | - Mathilde Giassi
- INSERM UMRs 1097 Arthrites Autoimmunes, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Yoan Ghaffar
- INSERM UMRs 1097 Arthrites Autoimmunes, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Marielle Martin
- INSERM UMRs 1097 Arthrites Autoimmunes, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Jean Roudier
- INSERM UMRs 1097 Arthrites Autoimmunes, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France; Rheumatology department, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Marseille France
| | - Isabelle Auger
- INSERM UMRs 1097 Arthrites Autoimmunes, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Nathalie C Lambert
- INSERM UMRs 1097 Arthrites Autoimmunes, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France.
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Fernandes KA, Lim AI. Maternal-driven immune education in offspring. Immunol Rev 2024; 323:288-302. [PMID: 38445769 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Maternal environmental exposures, particularly during gestation and lactation, significantly influence the immunological development and long-term immunity of offspring. Mammalian immune systems develop through crucial inputs from the environment, beginning in utero and continuing after birth. These critical developmental windows are essential for proper immune system development and, once closed, may not be reopened. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which maternal exposures, particularly to pathogens, diet, and microbiota, impact offspring immunity. Mechanisms driving maternal-offspring immune crosstalk include transfer of maternal antibodies, changes in the maternal microbiome and microbiota-derived metabolites, and transfer of immune cells and cytokines via the placenta and breastfeeding. We further discuss the role of transient maternal infections, which are common during pregnancy, in providing tissue-specific immune education to offspring. We propose a "maternal-driven immune education" hypothesis, which suggests that offspring can use maternal encounters that occur during a critical developmental window to develop optimal immune fitness against infection and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ai Ing Lim
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
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Bonney EA, Lintao RCV, Zelop CM, Kammala AK, Menon R. Are fetal microchimerism and circulating fetal extracellular vesicles important links between spontaneous preterm delivery and maternal cardiovascular disease risk? Bioessays 2024; 46:e2300170. [PMID: 38359068 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Trafficking and persistence of fetal microchimeric cells (fMCs) and circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been observed in animals and humans, but their consequences in the maternal body and their mechanistic contributions to maternal physiology and pathophysiology are not yet fully defined. Fetal cells and EVs may help remodel maternal organs after pregnancy-associated changes, but the cell types and EV cargos reaching the mother in preterm pregnancies after exposure to various risk factors can be distinct from term pregnancies. As preterm delivery-associated maternal complications are rising, revisiting this topic and formulating scientific questions for future research to reduce the risk of maternal morbidities are timely. Epidemiological studies report maternal cardiovascular risk as one of the major complications after preterm delivery. This paper suggests a potential link between fMCs and circulating EVs and adverse maternal cardiovascular outcomes post-pregnancies, the underlying mechanisms, consequences, and methods for and how this link might be assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Ryan C V Lintao
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
- College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Carolyn M Zelop
- The Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, Paramus, New Jersey, USA
- Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Ananth Kumar Kammala
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
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Graf I, Urbschat C, Arck PC. The 'communicatome' of pregnancy: spotlight on cellular and extravesicular chimerism. EMBO Mol Med 2024; 16:700-714. [PMID: 38467841 PMCID: PMC11018796 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-024-00045-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Communication via biological mediators between mother and fetus are key to reproductive success and offspring's future health. The repertoire of mediators coding signals between mother and fetus is broad and includes soluble factors, membrane-bound particles and immune as well as non-immune cells. Based on the emergence of technological advancements over the last years, considerable progress has been made toward deciphering the "communicatome" between fetus and mother during pregnancy and even after birth. In this context, pregnancy-associated chimerism has sparked the attention among immunologists, since chimeric cells-although low in number-are maintained in the allogeneic host (mother or fetus) for years after birth. Other non-cellular structures of chimerism, e.g. extracellular vesicles (EVs), are increasingly recognized as modulators of pregnancy outcome and offspring's health. We here discuss the origin, distribution and function of pregnancy-acquired microchimerism and chimeric EVs in mother and offspring. We also highlight the pioneering concept of maternal microchimeric cell-derived EVs in offspring. Such insights expand the understanding of pregnancy-associated health or disease risks in mother and offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Graf
- Division of Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christopher Urbschat
- Division of Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Petra C Arck
- Division of Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
- Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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Sereme Y, Toumi E, Saifi E, Faury H, Skurnik D. Maternal immune factors involved in the prevention or facilitation of neonatal bacterial infections. Cell Immunol 2024; 395-396:104796. [PMID: 38104514 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2023.104796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Newborns, whether born prematurely or at term, have a fully formed but naive immune system that must adapt to the extra-uterine environment to prevent infections. Maternal immunity, transmitted through the placenta and breast milk, protects newborns against infections, primarily via immunoglobulins (IgG and IgA) and certain maternal immune cells also known as microchimeric cells. Recently, it also appeared that the maternal gut microbiota played a vital role in neonatal immune maturation via microbial compounds impacting immune development and the establishment of immune tolerance. In this context, maternal vaccination is a powerful tool to enhance even more maternal and neonatal health. It involves the transfer of vaccine-induced antibodies to protect both mother and child from infectious diseases. In this work we review the state of the art on maternal immune factors involved in the prevention of neonatal bacterial infections, with particular emphasis on the role of maternal vaccination in protecting neonates against bacterial disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssouf Sereme
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Eya Toumi
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Estelle Saifi
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Helène Faury
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, F-75015 Paris, France; Department of Microbiology, Necker Hospital, University de Paris, Paris, France
| | - David Skurnik
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, F-75015 Paris, France; Department of Microbiology, Necker Hospital, University de Paris, Paris, France; FHU PREMA, Paris, France.
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9
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Chen Z, Zhang Y, Kwak-Kim J, Wang W. Memory regulatory T cells in pregnancy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1209706. [PMID: 37954599 PMCID: PMC10637476 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1209706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy requires the process of maternal immune tolerance to semi-allogeneic embryos. In contrast, an overreactive maternal immune system to embryo-specific antigens is likely to result in the rejection of embryos while damaging the invading placenta, such that the likelihood of adverse pregnancy outcomes can be increased. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are capable of suppressing excessive immune responses and regulating immune homeostasis. When stimulating Tregs, specific antigens will differentiate into memory Tregs with long-term survival and rapid and powerful immune regulatory ability. Immunomodulatory effects mediated by memory Tregs at the maternal-fetal interface take on critical significance in a successful pregnancy. The impaired function of memory Tregs shows a correlation with various pregnancy complications (e.g., preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, and recurrent pregnancy losses). However, the differentiation process and characteristics of memory Tregs, especially their role in pregnancy, remain unclear. In this study, a review is presented in terms of memory Tregs differentiation and activation, the characteristics of memory Tregs and their role in pregnancy, and the correlation between memory Tregs and pregnancy complications. Furthermore, several potential therapeutic methods are investigated to restore the function of memory Tregs in accordance with immunopathologies arising from memory Tregs abnormalities and provide novel targets for diagnosing and treating pregnancy-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyang Chen
- School of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Reproduction Medical Center, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanan Zhang
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Joanne Kwak-Kim
- Reproductive Medicine and Immunology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Sciences Department, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Vernon Hills, IL, United States
- Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Wenjuan Wang
- Reproduction Medical Center, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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10
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Yüzen D, Urbschat C, Schepanski S, Thiele K, Arck PC, Mittrücker H. Pregnancy-induced transfer of pathogen-specific T cells from mother to fetus in mice. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e56829. [PMID: 37610043 PMCID: PMC10561172 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202356829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Neonatal health is determined by the transfer of maternal antibodies from the mother to the fetus. Besides antibodies, maternal cells cross the placental barrier and seed into fetal organs. Contrary to maternal antibodies, maternal microchimeric cells (MMc) show a high longevity, as they can persist in the offspring until adulthood. Recent evidence highlights that MMc leukocytes promote neonatal immunity against early-life infections in mice and humans. As shown in mice, this promotion of immunity was attributable to an improved fetal immune development. Besides this indirect effect, MMc may be pathogen-specific and thus, directly clear pathogen threats in the offspring postnatally. By using ovalbumin recombinant Listeria monocytogenes (LmOVA), we here provide evidence that OVA-specific T cells are transferred from the mother to the fetus, which is associated with increased activation of T cells and a milder course of postnatal infection in the offspring. Our data highlight that maternally-derived passive immunity of the neonate is not limited to antibodies, as MMc have the potential to transfer immune memory between generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Yüzen
- Division of Experimental Feto‐Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal MedicineUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
- Institute of ImmunologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | - Christopher Urbschat
- Division of Experimental Feto‐Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal MedicineUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | - Steven Schepanski
- Division of Experimental Feto‐Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal MedicineUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | - Kristin Thiele
- Division of Experimental Feto‐Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal MedicineUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | - Petra C Arck
- Division of Experimental Feto‐Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal MedicineUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
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11
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Porrett PM. How mothers tolerate their children. Science 2023; 381:1286. [PMID: 37733842 DOI: 10.1126/science.adk1218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Shifting pools of antigen can influence pregnancy-induced immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige M Porrett
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
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12
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Shao TY, Kinder JM, Harper G, Pham G, Peng Y, Liu J, Gregory EJ, Sherman BE, Wu Y, Iten AE, Hu YC, Russi AE, Erickson JJ, Miller-Handley H, Way SS. Reproductive outcomes after pregnancy-induced displacement of preexisting microchimeric cells. Science 2023; 381:1324-1330. [PMID: 37733857 PMCID: PMC10877202 DOI: 10.1126/science.adf9325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy confers partner-specific protection against complications in future pregnancy that parallel persistence of fetal microchimeric cells (FMcs) in mothers after parturition. We show that preexisting FMcs become displaced by new FMcs during pregnancy and that FMc tonic stimulation is essential for expansion of protective fetal-specific forkhead box P3 (FOXP3)-positive regulatory T cells (Treg cells). Maternal microchimeric cells and accumulation of Treg cells with noninherited maternal antigen (NIMA) specificity are similarly overturned in daughters after pregnancy, highlighting a fixed microchimeric cell niche. Whereas NIMA-specific tolerance is functionally erased by pregnancy, partner-specific resiliency against pregnancy complications persists in mothers despite paternity changes in intervening pregnancy. Persistent fetal tolerance reflects FOXP3 expression plasticity, which allows mothers to more durably remember their babies, whereas daughters forget their mothers with new pregnancy-imprinted immunological memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Yu Shao
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Jeremy M. Kinder
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Gavin Harper
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Giang Pham
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Yanyan Peng
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - James Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Emily J. Gregory
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Bryan E. Sherman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Yuehong Wu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Alexandra E. Iten
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Yueh-Chiang Hu
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Abigail E. Russi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Advanced Nutrition, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - John J. Erickson
- Division of Neonatology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Hilary Miller-Handley
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Sing Sing Way
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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13
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Tomaszewska A, Jeleniewska A, Porębska K, Królikowska K, Rustecka A, Lipińska-Opałka A, Będzichowska A, Zdanowski R, Aleksandrowicz K, Kloc M, Kalicki B. Immunomodulatory Effect of Infectious Disease of a Breastfed Child on the Cellular Composition of Breast Milk. Nutrients 2023; 15:3844. [PMID: 37686876 PMCID: PMC10490220 DOI: 10.3390/nu15173844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that the content of immune components in milk is influenced by the mother's health and also by the infant she feeds. We aimed to evaluate the effect of a child's respiratory tract infection on the cellular composition of breast milk (neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, lymphocytes, and their subpopulations). Twenty-six breastfeeding mothers whose children were hospitalized for respiratory tract infections were enrolled in the study. The control group consisted of 23 mothers of healthy children. Regarding the children, baseline laboratory blood tests were performed, and nasal swabs were taken for the presence of RS virus. In the next step, milk samples were collected from the mothers to assess the cellular composition of the milk, including neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, lymphocytes, and their subpopulations. Significantly higher percentages of T lymphocytes (helper and cytotoxic lymphocytes) were observed in the milk of the studied mothers. There was a significantly higher percentage of milk lymphocytes in the group of affected children with confirmed RSV etiology than in children with excluded RSV etiology. A significant positive correlation was observed between the duration of infection and the percentage of milk NK cells and between milk CD19 lymphocytes and the child's serum leukocytosis. This study may provide evidence of a link between cells in breast milk and disease in the breastfed infant. The severity of the infection, its duration, and the etiological agent of the infection may affect the cellular composition of milk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Tomaszewska
- Department of Paediatrics, Nephrology and Allergology, Military Institute of Medicine—National Research Institute, Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland; (A.J.); (K.K.); (A.R.); (A.L.-O.); (A.B.); (B.K.)
| | - Alicja Jeleniewska
- Department of Paediatrics, Nephrology and Allergology, Military Institute of Medicine—National Research Institute, Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland; (A.J.); (K.K.); (A.R.); (A.L.-O.); (A.B.); (B.K.)
| | - Klaudia Porębska
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine—National Research Institute, Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland; (K.P.); (R.Z.); (K.A.)
| | - Katarzyna Królikowska
- Department of Paediatrics, Nephrology and Allergology, Military Institute of Medicine—National Research Institute, Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland; (A.J.); (K.K.); (A.R.); (A.L.-O.); (A.B.); (B.K.)
| | - Agnieszka Rustecka
- Department of Paediatrics, Nephrology and Allergology, Military Institute of Medicine—National Research Institute, Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland; (A.J.); (K.K.); (A.R.); (A.L.-O.); (A.B.); (B.K.)
| | - Agnieszka Lipińska-Opałka
- Department of Paediatrics, Nephrology and Allergology, Military Institute of Medicine—National Research Institute, Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland; (A.J.); (K.K.); (A.R.); (A.L.-O.); (A.B.); (B.K.)
| | - Agata Będzichowska
- Department of Paediatrics, Nephrology and Allergology, Military Institute of Medicine—National Research Institute, Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland; (A.J.); (K.K.); (A.R.); (A.L.-O.); (A.B.); (B.K.)
| | - Robert Zdanowski
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine—National Research Institute, Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland; (K.P.); (R.Z.); (K.A.)
| | - Karolina Aleksandrowicz
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine—National Research Institute, Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland; (K.P.); (R.Z.); (K.A.)
| | - Małgorzata Kloc
- Transplant Immunology, The Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- Department of Surgery, The Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Genetics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Bolesław Kalicki
- Department of Paediatrics, Nephrology and Allergology, Military Institute of Medicine—National Research Institute, Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland; (A.J.); (K.K.); (A.R.); (A.L.-O.); (A.B.); (B.K.)
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14
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Dmitrenko B, Gatinois V, D’Ottavi M, El Mouatani A, Bouret P, Debiesse S, Mondain M, Akkari M, Dallemagne M, Pellestor F, Perre PV, Molès JP. Quantification of Female Chimeric Cells in the Tonsils of Male Children and Their Determinants. Cells 2023; 12:2116. [PMID: 37626925 PMCID: PMC10453410 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The factors influencing mother-to-child cell trafficking and persistence over children's lives have yet to be established. The quantification of maternal microchimerism was previously reported through HLA-based approaches, which introduced bias regarding the tolerogenic environment. We aimed to identify cells of maternal origin irrespective of the HLA repertoire and to ascertain the determinants of microchimeric cells. This case-control study enrolled 40 male infants attending pediatric surgery from January 2022 to October 2022. Female cells were quantified in infants' tonsil tissue by using cytogenetic fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) coupled with optimized automated microscopy. Out of the 40 infants, half (47.4%) had been breastfed for more than one month, a quarter for less a month, and 10 children (26.3%) were never breastfed. XX cells were observed in male tonsils in two-thirds of participants at a median density of 5 cells per 100,000 cells. In univariate analyses, child age was negatively associated with a high female cell density. In exploratory multivariate analyses, previous breastfeeding is a likely determinant of the persistence of these cells in the host, as well as the rank among siblings. Part of the benefit of breastmilk for child health may therefore be driven by breastfeeding-related microchimerism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Dmitrenko
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic and Emerging Infections, University of Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, 34394 Montpellier, France; (B.D.); (M.D.); (S.D.); (P.V.P.)
| | - Vincent Gatinois
- Unit of Chromosomal Genetics and Research Plateform Chromostem, Department of Medical Genetics, Arnaud de Villeneuve Hospital, Montpellier CHRU, 34090 Montpellier, France; (V.G.); (A.E.M.); (P.B.); (F.P.)
| | - Morgana D’Ottavi
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic and Emerging Infections, University of Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, 34394 Montpellier, France; (B.D.); (M.D.); (S.D.); (P.V.P.)
| | - Ahmed El Mouatani
- Unit of Chromosomal Genetics and Research Plateform Chromostem, Department of Medical Genetics, Arnaud de Villeneuve Hospital, Montpellier CHRU, 34090 Montpellier, France; (V.G.); (A.E.M.); (P.B.); (F.P.)
| | - Pauline Bouret
- Unit of Chromosomal Genetics and Research Plateform Chromostem, Department of Medical Genetics, Arnaud de Villeneuve Hospital, Montpellier CHRU, 34090 Montpellier, France; (V.G.); (A.E.M.); (P.B.); (F.P.)
| | - Ségolène Debiesse
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic and Emerging Infections, University of Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, 34394 Montpellier, France; (B.D.); (M.D.); (S.D.); (P.V.P.)
| | - Michel Mondain
- Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Gui de Chauliac Hospital, University of Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France; (M.M.); (M.A.); (M.D.)
| | - Mohamed Akkari
- Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Gui de Chauliac Hospital, University of Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France; (M.M.); (M.A.); (M.D.)
| | - Maxime Dallemagne
- Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Gui de Chauliac Hospital, University of Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France; (M.M.); (M.A.); (M.D.)
| | - Franck Pellestor
- Unit of Chromosomal Genetics and Research Plateform Chromostem, Department of Medical Genetics, Arnaud de Villeneuve Hospital, Montpellier CHRU, 34090 Montpellier, France; (V.G.); (A.E.M.); (P.B.); (F.P.)
| | - Philippe Vande Perre
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic and Emerging Infections, University of Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, 34394 Montpellier, France; (B.D.); (M.D.); (S.D.); (P.V.P.)
| | - Jean-Pierre Molès
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic and Emerging Infections, University of Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, 34394 Montpellier, France; (B.D.); (M.D.); (S.D.); (P.V.P.)
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15
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Strobl J, Haniffa M. Functional heterogeneity of human skin-resident memory T cells in health and disease. Immunol Rev 2023; 316:104-119. [PMID: 37144705 PMCID: PMC10952320 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The human skin is populated by a diverse pool of memory T cells, which can act rapidly in response to pathogens and cancer antigens. Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM ) have been implicated in range of allergic, autoimmune and inflammatory skin diseases. Clonal expansion of cells with TRM properties is also known to contribute to cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Here, we review the heterogeneous phenotypes, transcriptional programs, and effector functions of skin TRM . We summarize recent studies on TRM formation, longevity, plasticity, and retrograde migration and contextualize the findings to skin TRM and their role in maintaining skin homeostasis and altered functions in skin disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Strobl
- Department of DermatologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular MedicineViennaAustria
| | - Muzlifah Haniffa
- Wellcome Sanger InstituteCambridgeUK
- Department of Dermatology and NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research CentreNewcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustNewcastle upon TyneUK
- Biosciences InstituteNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
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16
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Kumari P, Raval A, Rana P, Mahto SK. Regenerative Potential of Human Breast Milk: A Natural Reservoir of Nutrients, Bioactive Components and Stem cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023:10.1007/s12015-023-10534-0. [PMID: 37012485 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10534-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Human milk is a complex fluid that contains carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and other bioactive molecules (immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, human milk oligosaccharides, lysozyme, leukocytes, cytokines, hormones, and microbiome) which provide nutritional, immunological, and developmental benefits to the infant. In addition to their involvement in the development, these bioactive compounds have a key role in anti-oncogenicity, neuro-cognitive development, cellular communication, and differentiation. As a result of technological advancements, it has been discovered that human breast milk contains cells that display many of the characteristics of stem cells with multilineage differentiation potentials. Do these cells have any specific properties or roles? Research efforts on breast milk cells have been mainly focused on leukocytes based on their immunological perspective in the early postpartum period. This review summarizes the nutritional components in human milk, i.e., the macro and micronutrients required for the growth and development of infants. Further, it discusses the research work reported concerning the purification, propagation, and differentiation of breast milk progenitor cells and highlights the advancements made in this newly emerging field of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Kumari
- Tissue Engineering and Biomicrofluidics Laboratory, School of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India
| | - Aayushi Raval
- Tissue Engineering and Biomicrofluidics Laboratory, School of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India
| | - Pranav Rana
- Tissue Engineering and Biomicrofluidics Laboratory, School of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India
| | - Sanjeev Kumar Mahto
- Tissue Engineering and Biomicrofluidics Laboratory, School of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India.
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17
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Shree R, McCartney S, Cousin E, Chae A, Gammill HS, Nelson JL, Kanaan SB. Umbilical Cord Maternal Microchimerism in Normal and Preeclampsia Pregnancies. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:1157-1164. [PMID: 36168088 PMCID: PMC10900989 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-01080-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Bidirectional exchange of cells between mother and fetus establishes microchimerism (Mc). Mc can persist for decades and is associated with later-life health and disease. Greater fetal Mc is detected in the maternal compartment in preeclampsia (PE), but whether maternal Mc (MMC) in umbilical cord blood (CB) is altered in PE is unknown. We evaluated MMc in CB from normal and PE pregnancies. DNA from CB mononuclear cells following placental delivery (n = 36 PE, n = 37 controls) and maternal blood was extracted and genotyped. MMc, quantified by qPCR assays targeting maternal-specific nonshared polymorphisms in CB, was compared using logistic and negative binomial regression models. Clinically and statistically relevant confounders were included, and included the total number of cell equivalents tested, gravidity, mode of delivery, birthweight, and fetal sex. PE participants delivered at earlier gestational ages, with higher Cesarean rates, and lower infant birthweights. CB MMc detection was similar between PE and controls (52.8% vs. 51.3%, respectively, p = 0.90) and unchanged after adjustment for confounders. MMc concentration was not different between groups (mean 73.7 gEq/105 gEq in PE vs. mean 22.8 gEq/105 in controls, p = 0.56), including after controlling for confounders (p = 0.64). There was no difference in CB MMc detection or concentration between PE and normal pregnancies, despite previously noted greater fetal Mc in the maternal compartment. This suggests possible differential transfer of cells at the maternal fetal interface in PE. Phenotypic evaluation of Mc cells may uncover underlying mechanisms for differential cellular exchange between mother and fetus in PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Shree
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356460, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Stephen McCartney
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356460, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Emma Cousin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356460, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Angel Chae
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356460, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Hilary S Gammill
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356460, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - J L Nelson
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sami B Kanaan
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
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18
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Fasoulakis Z, Koutras A, Ntounis T, Antsaklis P, Theodora M, Valsamaki A, Daskalakis G, Kontomanolis EN. Inflammatory Molecules Responsible for Length Shortening and Preterm Birth. Cells 2023; 12:cells12020209. [PMID: 36672145 PMCID: PMC9856720 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It is estimated that inflammation at the placental-maternal interface is directly responsible for or contributes to the development of 50% of all premature deliveries. Chorioamnionitis, also known as the premature rupture of the amniotic membrane in the mother, is the root cause of persistent inflammation that preterm newborns experience. Beyond contributing to the onset of early labor, inflammation is a critical element in advancing several conditions in neonates, including necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity and periventricular leukomalacia. Notably, the immune systems of preterm infants are not fully developed; immune defense mechanisms and immunosuppression (tolerance) have a delicate balance that is easily upset in this patient category. As a result, premature infants are exposed to different antigens from elements such as hospital-specific microbes, artificial devices, medications, food antigens and hypoxia/hyperoxia. This has detrimental implications for preterm deliveries of less than 28 weeks because they have not yet evolved the mechanisms to tolerate maternal and self-antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zacharias Fasoulakis
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital Alexandra, 11528 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence:
| | - Antonios Koutras
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital Alexandra, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Thomas Ntounis
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital Alexandra, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Panos Antsaklis
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital Alexandra, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Marianna Theodora
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital Alexandra, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Asimina Valsamaki
- Department of Internal Medicine, Koutlimbaneio and Triantafylleio General Hospital of Larissa, 41221 Larissa, Greece
| | - George Daskalakis
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital Alexandra, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanuel N. Kontomanolis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
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19
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Borges A, Castellan F, Irie N. Emergent roles of maternal microchimerism in postnatal development. Dev Growth Differ 2023; 65:75-81. [PMID: 36519824 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Maternal microchimerism (MMc) is the phenomenon that a low number of cells from the mother persists within her progeny. Despite their regular presence in mammalian pregnancies, the overall cell type repertoire and roles of maternal cells, especially after birth, remain unclear. By using transgenic mouse strains and human umbilical blood samples, recent studies have for the first time characterized and quantified MMc cell type repertoires in offspring, identified the cross-generational influence on fetal immunity, and determined possible factors that affect their presence in offspring. This review summarizes new findings, especially on the maternal cell type repertoires and their potential role in utero, in postnatal life, and long after birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria Borges
- Graduate School of Science, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Flore Castellan
- Graduate School of Science, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoki Irie
- Graduate School of Science, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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20
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Fujimoto K, Nakajima A, Hori S, Tanaka Y, Shirasaki Y, Uemura S, Irie N. Whole-embryonic identification of maternal microchimeric cell types in mouse using single-cell RNA sequencing. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18313. [PMID: 36333354 PMCID: PMC9636240 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20781-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Even though the mother and the fetus of placental mammals are immunologically non-self with respect to one other, mutual exchange of small numbers of cells between them is known to occur. Maternal cells entering the fetus, called maternal microchimeric cells (MMc cells), are thought to be involved in different physiological phenomena, such as establishing immune tolerance, tissue repair, and the pathogenesis or deterioration of some inflammatory diseases and congenital malformations. While specific MMc cell types have been reported as associated with these phenomena, the contribution of MMc cells to these different outcomes remains unknown. As one possibility, we hypothesized that different embryos have differing repertoires of MMc cell types, leading to or biasing embryos toward different fates. To date, no studies have succeeded in identifying the MMc cell type repertoire of a single embryo. Accordingly, here, we isolated MMc cells from whole mouse embryos, determined their types, and analyzed their MMc cell type variability. By combining our previously established, whole-embryonic MMc isolation method with single-cell RNA sequencing, we successfully estimated the cell type repertoires of MMc cells isolated from 26 mouse embryos. The majority of MMc cells were immune-related cells, such as myeloid cells and granulocytes. We also detected stem cell-like MMc cells expressing proliferation marker genes and terminally differentiated cells. As hypothesized, we noted statistically significant inter-individual variation in the proportion of immune-related cells in the different embryos. We here successfully estimated MMc cell types in individual whole mouse embryos. The proportion of immune-related cells significantly differed among the individual embryos, suggesting that the variations are one of the potential mechanisms underlying the differing MMc-related physiological phenomena in offspring. These findings provide insight into cell-level epigenetics by maternal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kana Fujimoto
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033 Japan
| | - Akira Nakajima
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XGraduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shohei Hori
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XGraduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yumiko Tanaka
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033 Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Shirasaki
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XGraduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sotaro Uemura
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033 Japan
| | - Naoki Irie
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033 Japan ,grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XUniversal Biology Institute, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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21
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Castellan FS, Irie N. Postnatal depletion of maternal cells biases T lymphocytes and natural killer cells' profiles toward early activation in the spleen. Biol Open 2022; 11:bio059334. [PMID: 36349799 PMCID: PMC9672855 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The maternal cells transferred into the fetus during gestation persist long after birth in the progeny. These maternal cells have been hypothesized to promote the maturation of the fetal immune system in utero but there are still significant gaps in our knowledge of their potential roles after birth. To provide insights into these maternal cells' postnatal functional roles, we set up a transgenic mouse model to specifically eliminate maternal cells in the neonates by diphtheria toxin injection and confirmed significant depletion in the spleens. We then performed immunophenotyping of the spleens of two-week-old pups by mass cytometry to pinpoint the immune profile differences driven by the depletion of maternal cells in early postnatal life. We observed a heightened expression of markers related to activation and maturation in some natural killer and T cell populations. We hypothesize these results to indicate a potential postnatal regulation of lymphocytic responses by maternal cells. Together, our findings highlight an immunological influence of maternal microchimeric cells postnatally, possibly protecting against adverse hypersensitivity reactions of the neonate at a crucial time of new encounters with self and environmental antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flore S. Castellan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Naoki Irie
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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22
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Narayanaswamy V, Pentecost BT, Telfer JC, Burnside AS, Schneider SS, Alfandari D, Baker RL, Saiju A, Nodiff S, Arcaro KF. Durable antibody and effector memory T cell responses in breastmilk from women with SARS-CoV-2. Front Immunol 2022; 13:985226. [PMID: 36172379 PMCID: PMC9512087 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.985226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Given that only 25% of pregnant women elect to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection remains an important route of conferring protective passive immunity to breastfed infants of mothers who are not vaccinated. Methods We enrolled 30 lactating participants between December 2020 and March 2021 who had a positive PCR-test and their first COVID-19 symptoms within the previous 21 days. Participants were asked to provide serial bilateral milk samples at 12 timepoints (~ every 3 days) over a period of 35 days. A second set of samples was collected at least four months after the beginning of the first set. Participants also were asked to provide their dried blood spots and infant stool samples. All samples were tested for receptor-binding domain (RBD)-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)A, IgG, and IgM. Milk samples were assessed for neutralizing ability against the spike protein and four SARS-CoV-2 variants: D614G, Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), and Gamma (P.1). Permeability of the breast epithelium was assessed by measuring the sodium to potassium ions (Na:K) in milk. Using flow cytometry, memory CD4 and CD8 T cells (CD45RO+ and CCR7+/-) and mucosal-homing CD4 and CD8 T cells (CD103+) were determined in cells from milk expressed at 35 days and at least 4 months after their first milk donation. Results Milk antibodies from SARS-CoV-2 positive participants neutralized the spike complex. Milk from 73, 90, and 53% of participants had binding reactivities to RBD-specific IgA, IgG, and IgM, respectively. In contrast to blood spots, which showed increased levels of IgG, but not IgA or IgM, the COVID-19 response in milk was associated with a robust IgA response. Twenty-seven percent of participants had increased breast-epithelium permeability, as indicated by Na:K ≥ 0.6. The percentage of CD45RO+CCR7- effector-memory T cells in the day ≥120 milk samples was significantly higher than day 35 samples (P< 0.05). Conclusions Antibodies in milk from participants with recent SARS-CoV-2 infection and those who recovered can neutralize the spike complex. For the first time we show that breastmilk T cells are enriched for mucosal memory T cells, further emphasizing the passive protection against SARS-CoV-2 conferred to infants via breastmilk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vignesh Narayanaswamy
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Brian T. Pentecost
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Janice C. Telfer
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Amy S. Burnside
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Sallie S. Schneider
- Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA, United States
| | - Dominique Alfandari
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Ryan L. Baker
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Aman Saiju
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Sam Nodiff
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Kathleen F. Arcaro
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
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23
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Sedov E, McCarthy J, Koren E, Fuchs Y. Fetomaternal microchimerism in tissue repair and tumor development. Dev Cell 2022; 57:1442-1452. [PMID: 35700729 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
In various placental mammals, the bidirectional exchange of cells during pregnancy can lead to the acquisition of genetically unique cells that can persist in both mother and child for decades. Over the years, it has become increasingly clear that this phenomenon, termed fetomaternal microchimerism may play key roles in a number of biological processes. In this perspective, we explore the concept of fetomaternal microchimerism and outline how fetal microchimeric cells are detected and immunologically tolerated within the maternal setting. Moreover, we discuss undertakings in the field that hint at the significant plasticity of fetal microchimeric cells and their potential roles in promoting maternal wound healing. Finally, we explore the multifaceted roles of fetal microchimeric cells in cancer development and progression. A deeper understanding of fetomaternal chimerism in healthy and diseased states will be key toward developing more efficient anti-cancer treatments and regenerative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egor Sedov
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel; Lorry Lokey Interdisciplinary Center for Life Sciences and Engineering, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel; Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Jordan McCarthy
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel; Lorry Lokey Interdisciplinary Center for Life Sciences and Engineering, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel; Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Elle Koren
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel; Lorry Lokey Interdisciplinary Center for Life Sciences and Engineering, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel; Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Yaron Fuchs
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel; Lorry Lokey Interdisciplinary Center for Life Sciences and Engineering, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel; Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel.
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24
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Balle C, Armistead B, Kiravu A, Song X, Happel AU, Hoffmann AA, Kanaan SB, Nelson JL, Gray CM, Jaspan HB, Harrington WE. Factors influencing maternal microchimerism throughout infancy and its impact on infant T cell immunity. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:148826. [PMID: 35550376 PMCID: PMC9246390 DOI: 10.1172/jci148826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Determinants of the acquisition and maintenance of maternal microchimerism (MMc) during infancy and the impact of MMc on infant immune responses are unknown. We examined factors which influence MMc detection and level across infancy and the effect of MMc on T cell responses to BCG vaccination in a cohort of HIV exposed, uninfected and HIV unexposed infants in South Africa. MMc was measured in whole blood from 58 infants using a panel of quantitative PCR assays at day one and 7, 15, and 36 weeks of life. Infants received BCG at birth, and selected whole blood samples from infancy were stimulated in vitro with BCG and assessed for polyfunctional CD4+ T cell responses. MMc was present in most infants across infancy with levels ranging from 0-1,193/100,000 genomic equivalents and was positively impacted by absence of maternal HIV, maternal-infant HLA compatibility, infant female sex, and exclusive breastfeeding. Initiation of maternal antiretroviral therapy prior to pregnancy partially restored MMc levels in HIV exposed, uninfected infants. Birth MMc was associated with an improved polyfunctional CD4+ T cell response to BCG. These data emphasize that both maternal and infant factors influence MMc, which may subsequently impact infant T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Balle
- Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Blair Armistead
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, United States of America
| | - Agano Kiravu
- Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Xiaochang Song
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
| | - Anna-Ursula Happel
- Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Angela A Hoffmann
- Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sami B Kanaan
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States of America
| | - J Lee Nelson
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States of America
| | - Clive M Gray
- Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heather B Jaspan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington and Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, United States of America
| | - Whitney E Harrington
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington and Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, United States of America
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25
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Langel SN, Blasi M, Permar SR. Maternal immune protection against infectious diseases. Cell Host Microbe 2022; 30:660-674. [PMID: 35550669 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2022.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The maternal immune system protects developing offspring against pathogens before birth via transplacental transfer and after birth through secreted milk. This transferred maternal immunity influences each generation's susceptibility to infections and responsiveness to immunization. Thus, boosting immunity in the maternal-neonatal dyad is a potentially valuable public health strategy. Additionally, at critical times during fetal and postnatal development, environmental factors and immune stimuli influence immune development. These "windows of opportunity" offer a chance to identify both risk and protective factors that promote long-term health and limit disease. Here, we review pre- and postpartum maternal immune factors that protect against infectious agents in offspring and how they may shape the infant's immune landscape over time. Additionally, we discuss the influence of maternal immunity on the responsiveness to immunization in early life. Lastly, when maternal factors are insufficient to prevent neonatal infectious diseases, we discuss pre- and postnatal therapeutic strategies for the maternal-neonatal dyad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie N Langel
- Department of Surgery, Duke Center for Human Systems Immunology, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Maria Blasi
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sallie R Permar
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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26
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Durgam SS, Alegre ML, Chong AS. Toward an understanding of allogeneic conflict in pregnancy and transplantation. J Exp Med 2022; 219:213135. [PMID: 35416935 PMCID: PMC9011201 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20211493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is recognized as a spontaneously acquired state of immunological tolerance by the mother to her semi-allogeneic fetus, but it is a major cause of allosensitization in candidates for organ transplantation. This sensitization, assessed by the presence of anti-HLA IgG, contributes to sex disparity in access to transplantation and increases the risk for rejection and graft loss. Understanding this dual tolerance/sensitization conundrum may lead to new strategies for equalizing access to transplantation among sexes and improving transplant outcomes in parous women. Here, we review the clinical evidence that pregnancy results in humoral sensitization and query whether T cell responses are sensitized. Furthermore, we summarize preclinical evidence on the effects of pregnancy on fetus-specific CD4+ conventional, regulatory, and CD8+ T cells, and humoral responses. We end with a discussion on the impact of the divergent effects that pregnancy has upon alloantigen re-encounter in the context of solid organ transplantation, and how these insights point to a therapeutic roadmap for controlling pregnancy-dependent allosensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samarth S Durgam
- Section of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Maria-Luisa Alegre
- Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Anita S Chong
- Section of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
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27
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Lokossou GAG, Kouakanou L, Schumacher A, Zenclussen AC. Human Breast Milk: From Food to Active Immune Response With Disease Protection in Infants and Mothers. Front Immunol 2022; 13:849012. [PMID: 35450064 PMCID: PMC9016618 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.849012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Breastfeeding is associated with long-term wellbeing including low risks of infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases such as asthma, cancer, autoimmune diseases and obesity during childhood. In recent years, important advances have been made in understanding the human breast milk (HBM) composition. Breast milk components such as, non-immune and immune cells and bioactive molecules, namely, cytokines/chemokines, lipids, hormones, and enzymes reportedly play many roles in breastfed newborns and in mothers, by diseases protection and shaping the immune system of the newborn. Bioactive components in HBM are also involved in tolerance and appropriate inflammatory response of breastfed infants if necessary. This review summarizes the current literature on the relationship between mother and her infant through breast milk with regard to disease protection. We will shed some light on the mechanisms underlying the roles of breast milk components in the maintenance of health of both child and mother.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gatien A. G. Lokossou
- Research Unit in Applied Microbiology and Pharmacology of Natural Substances, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, Department Human Biology Engineering, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Léonce Kouakanou
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Anne Schumacher
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research and Perinatal Immunology, Saxonian Incubator for Clinical Translation, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ana C. Zenclussen
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research and Perinatal Immunology, Saxonian Incubator for Clinical Translation, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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28
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Morelli AE, Sadovsky Y. Extracellular vesicles and immune response during pregnancy: A balancing act. Immunol Rev 2022; 308:105-122. [PMID: 35199366 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying maternal tolerance of the semi- or fully-allogeneic fetus are intensely investigated. Across gestation, feto-placental antigens interact with the maternal immune system locally within the trophoblast-decidual interface and distantly through shed cells and soluble molecules that interact with maternal secondary lymphoid tissues. The discovery of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as local or systemic carriers of antigens and immune-regulatory molecules has added a new dimension to our understanding of immune modulation prior to implantation, during trophoblast invasion, and throughout the course of pregnancy. New data on immune-regulatory molecules, located on EVs or within their cargo, suggest a role for EVs in negotiating immune tolerance during gestation. Lessons from the field of transplant immunology also shed light on possible interactions between feto-placentally derived EVs and maternal lymphoid tissues. These insights illuminate a potential role for EVs in major obstetrical disorders. This review provides updated information on intensely studied, pregnancy-related EVs, their cargo molecules, and patterns of fetal-placental-maternal trafficking, highlighting potential immune pathways that might underlie immune suppression or activation in gestational health and disease. Our summary also underscores the likely need to broaden the definition of the maternal-fetal interface to systemic maternal immune tissues that might interact with circulating EVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian E Morelli
- Department of Surgery, Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yoel Sadovsky
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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29
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Feyaerts D, Urbschat C, Gaudillière B, Stelzer IA. Establishment of tissue-resident immune populations in the fetus. Semin Immunopathol 2022; 44:747-766. [PMID: 35508672 PMCID: PMC9067556 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-022-00931-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The immune system establishes during the prenatal period from distinct waves of stem and progenitor cells and continuously adapts to the needs and challenges of early postnatal and adult life. Fetal immune development not only lays the foundation for postnatal immunity but establishes functional populations of tissue-resident immune cells that are instrumental for fetal immune responses amidst organ growth and maturation. This review aims to discuss current knowledge about the development and function of tissue-resident immune populations during fetal life, focusing on the brain, lung, and gastrointestinal tract as sites with distinct developmental trajectories. While recent progress using system-level approaches has shed light on the fetal immune landscape, further work is required to describe precise roles of prenatal immune populations and their migration and adaptation to respective organ environments. Defining points of prenatal susceptibility to environmental challenges will support the search for potential therapeutic targets to positively impact postnatal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorien Feyaerts
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA USA
| | - Christopher Urbschat
- grid.13648.380000 0001 2180 3484Division of Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Brice Gaudillière
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA USA ,grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA USA
| | - Ina A. Stelzer
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA USA
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30
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Fujimoto K, Nakajima A, Hori S, Irie N. Whole embryonic detection of maternal microchimeric cells highlights significant differences in their numbers among individuals. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261357. [PMID: 34941916 PMCID: PMC8699925 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
During pregnancy in placental mammals, small numbers of maternal cells (maternal microchimeric cells, or MMc cells) migrate into the fetus and persist decades, or perhaps for the rest of their lives, and higher frequencies of MMc cells are reported to correlate with variety of phenomena, such as immune tolerance, tissue repair, and autoimmune diseases. While detection of these MMc cells is considered in all pregnancies, their frequency differs largely according to tissue type and disease cases, and it remains unclear whether the number of MMc cells differs significantly among embryos in normal pregnancies. Here, for the first time, we developed a whole embryonic detection method for MMc cells using transgenic mice and counted live MMc cells in each individual embryo. Using this technique, we found that the number of MMc cells was comparable in most of the analyzed embryos; however, around 500 times higher number of MMc cells was detected in one embryo at the latest stage. This result suggests that the number of MMc cells could largely differ in rare cases with unknown underlying mechanisms. Our methodology provides a basis for testing differences in the numbers of MMc cells among individual embryos and for analyzing differences in MMc cell type repertoires in future studies. These data could provide a hint toward understanding the mechanisms underlying the variety of apparently inconsistent MMc-related phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kana Fujimoto
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail: (NI); (KF)
| | - Akira Nakajima
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shohei Hori
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoki Irie
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail: (NI); (KF)
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31
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Gonçalves J, Juliano AM, Charepe N, Alenquer M, Athayde D, Ferreira F, Archer M, Amorim MJ, Serrano F, Soares H. Secretory IgA and T cells targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein are transferred to the breastmilk upon mRNA vaccination. Cell Rep Med 2021; 2:100468. [PMID: 34873588 PMCID: PMC8636305 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In view of the scarcity of data to guide decision making, we evaluated how BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines affect the immune response in lactating women and the protective profile of breastmilk. Compared with controls, lactating women had a higher frequency of circulating RBD memory B cells and higher anti-RBD antibody titers but similar neutralizing capacity. We show that upon vaccination, immune transfer to breastmilk occurs through a combination of anti-spike secretory IgA (SIgA) antibodies and spike-reactive T cells. Although we found that the concentration of anti-spike IgA in breastmilk might not be sufficient to directly neutralize SARS-CoV-2, our data suggest that cumulative transfer of IgA might provide the infant with effective neutralization capacity. Our findings put forward the possibility that breastmilk might convey both immediate (through anti-spike SIgA) and long-lived (via spike-reactive T cells) immune protection to the infant. Further studies are needed to address this possibility and to determine the functional profile of spike T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Gonçalves
- Human Immunobiology and Pathogenesis Group, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- iNOVA4Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A. Margarida Juliano
- Human Immunobiology and Pathogenesis Group, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- iNOVA4Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nádia Charepe
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal
- CHRC, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Alenquer
- Cell Biology of Viral Infection Lab, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Diogo Athayde
- Membrane Protein Crystallography Laboratory, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, ITQB-NOVA, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Filipe Ferreira
- Cell Biology of Viral Infection Lab, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Margarida Archer
- Membrane Protein Crystallography Laboratory, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, ITQB-NOVA, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Maria João Amorim
- Cell Biology of Viral Infection Lab, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Fátima Serrano
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal
- CHRC, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Helena Soares
- Human Immunobiology and Pathogenesis Group, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- iNOVA4Health, Lisbon, Portugal
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32
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Grandmaternal microchimerism: interesting curiosity or clinically relevant phenomenon? EBioMedicine 2021; 74:103743. [PMID: 34896793 PMCID: PMC8668823 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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33
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Hong L, Zhang L, Zhou Q, Li S, Han J, Jiang S, Han X, Yang Y, Hong S, Cao Y. Impacts of Enriched Human Milk Cells on Fecal Metabolome and Gut Microbiome of Premature Infants with Stage I Necrotizing Enterocolitis: A Pilot Study. Mol Nutr Food Res 2021; 66:e2100342. [PMID: 34788490 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202100342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
SCOPE Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants, occurring more often in formula-fed infants than in breastfed infants. Recent animal studies have shown that cells in fresh breast milk survive in the newborns' digestive tract. However, no clinical studies have been conducted on the effects of human milk cells, and their biological roles in the infants' intestines remain unexplored. METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty premature infants are enrolled. Cells from fresh milk of their own mothers are enriched and fed to infants with Bell's Stage I NEC once a day for 7 days since the onset of NEC. Fecal samples are collected at enrollment and 2 weeks later. Fecal sphingolipids are observed to be enriched in NEC patients and positively correlated with calprotectin levels. After intervention with enriched human milk cells, inflammation-associated sphingolipids and microbiome profiles are altered and resembled those of the controls. CONCLUSION These preliminary findings reveal the potential impacts of enriched human milk cells on premature infants with Bell's Stage I NEC and provide insight into the roles of fecal sphingolipid metabolism in the neonates' intestinal inflammation. However, the limited sample size of the study indicates the need for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyang Hong
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shujuan Li
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Junyan Han
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Siyuan Jiang
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiao Han
- NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yi Yang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shangyu Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yun Cao
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
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Murrieta-Coxca JM, Aengenheister L, Schmidt A, Markert UR, Buerki-Thurnherr T, Morales-Prieto DM. Addressing microchimerism in pregnancy by ex vivo human placenta perfusion. Placenta 2021; 117:78-86. [PMID: 34773744 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The physical connection of mother and offspring during pregnancy allows the bi-directional exchange of a small number of cells through the placenta. These cells, which can persist long-term in the recipient individual are genetically foreign to it and therefore fulfill the principle of microchimerism. Over the last years, pioneer research on microchimeric cells revealed their role in immune adaptation during pregnancy and priming of tolerogenic responses in the progeny. However, the mechanisms involved in cell transfer across the placenta barrier remain poorly investigated. In this review, we summarize the evidence of fetomaternal microchimerism, propose a mechanism for cell trafficking through the placenta and discuss the different models and techniques available for its analysis. Likewise, we aim to generate interest in the use of ex vivo placenta perfusion to investigate microchimerism in physiological and pathological settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leonie Aengenheister
- Laboratory for Particles-Biology Interactions, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Astrid Schmidt
- Placenta Lab, Department of Obstetrics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Udo R Markert
- Placenta Lab, Department of Obstetrics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
| | - Tina Buerki-Thurnherr
- Laboratory for Particles-Biology Interactions, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
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35
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Saso A, Kampmann B, Roetynck S. Vaccine-Induced Cellular Immunity against Bordetella pertussis: Harnessing Lessons from Animal and Human Studies to Improve Design and Testing of Novel Pertussis Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:877. [PMID: 34452002 PMCID: PMC8402596 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9080877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pertussis ('whooping cough') is a severe respiratory tract infection that primarily affects young children and unimmunised infants. Despite widespread vaccine coverage, it remains one of the least well-controlled vaccine-preventable diseases, with a recent resurgence even in highly vaccinated populations. Although the exact underlying reasons are still not clear, emerging evidence suggests that a key factor is the replacement of the whole-cell (wP) by the acellular pertussis (aP) vaccine, which is less reactogenic but may induce suboptimal and waning immunity. Differences between vaccines are hypothesised to be cell-mediated, with polarisation of Th1/Th2/Th17 responses determined by the composition of the pertussis vaccine given in infancy. Moreover, aP vaccines elicit strong antibody responses but fail to protect against nasal colonisation and/or transmission, in animal models, thereby potentially leading to inadequate herd immunity. Our review summarises current knowledge on vaccine-induced cellular immune responses, based on mucosal and systemic data collected within experimental animal and human vaccine studies. In addition, we describe key factors that may influence cell-mediated immunity and how antigen-specific responses are measured quantitatively and qualitatively, at both cellular and molecular levels. Finally, we discuss how we can harness this emerging knowledge and novel tools to inform the design and testing of the next generation of improved infant pertussis vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Saso
- The Vaccine Centre, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1 7HT, UK; (B.K.); (S.R.)
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, MRC Unit, The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul P.O. Box 273, The Gambia
| | - Beate Kampmann
- The Vaccine Centre, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1 7HT, UK; (B.K.); (S.R.)
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, MRC Unit, The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul P.O. Box 273, The Gambia
| | - Sophie Roetynck
- The Vaccine Centre, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1 7HT, UK; (B.K.); (S.R.)
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, MRC Unit, The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul P.O. Box 273, The Gambia
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36
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Vertically transferred maternal immune cells promote neonatal immunity against early life infections. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4706. [PMID: 34349112 PMCID: PMC8338998 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24719-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
During mammalian pregnancy, immune cells are vertically transferred from mother to fetus. The functional role of these maternal microchimeric cells (MMc) in the offspring is mostly unknown. Here we show a mouse model in which MMc numbers are either normal or low, which enables functional assessment of MMc. We report a functional role of MMc in promoting fetal immune development. MMc induces preferential differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells in fetal bone marrow towards monocytes within the myeloid compartment. Neonatal mice with higher numbers of MMc and monocytes show enhanced resilience against cytomegalovirus infection. Similarly, higher numbers of MMc in human cord blood are linked to a lower number of respiratory infections during the first year of life. Our data highlight the importance of MMc in promoting fetal immune development, potentially averting the threats caused by early life exposure to pathogens. Maternal immune cells seed into the foetus during mammalian pregnancy, yet the functional role of these cells is unclear. Here the authors show that maternal immune cells in foetal bone marrow stimulate immune development, subsequently reducing the risk or severity of infections in newborns.
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37
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Piccinni MP, Raghupathy R, Saito S, Szekeres-Bartho J. Cytokines, Hormones and Cellular Regulatory Mechanisms Favoring Successful Reproduction. Front Immunol 2021; 12:717808. [PMID: 34394125 PMCID: PMC8355694 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.717808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Its semi-allogeneic nature renders the conceptus vulnerable to attack by the maternal immune system. Several protective mechanisms operate during gestation to correct the harmful effects of anti-fetal immunity and to support a healthy pregnancy outcome. Pregnancy is characterized by gross alterations in endocrine functions. Progesterone is indispensable for pregnancy and humans, and it affects immune functions both directly and via mediators. The progesterone-induced mediator - PIBF - acts in favor of Th2-type immunity, by increasing Th2 type cytokines production. Except for implantation and parturition, pregnancy is characterized by a Th2-dominant cytokine pattern. Progesterone and the orally-administered progestogen dydrogesterone upregulate the production of Th2-type cytokines and suppress the production of Th1 and Th17 cytokine production in vitro. This is particularly relevant to the fact that the Th1-type cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ and the Th17 cytokine IL-17 have embryotoxic and anti-trophoblast activities. These cytokine-modulating effects and the PIBF-inducing capabilities of dydrogesterone may contribute to the demonstrated beneficial effects of dydrogesterone in recurrent spontaneous miscarriage and threatened miscarriage. IL-17 and IL-22 produced by T helper cells are involved in allograft rejection, and therefore could account for the rejection of paternal HLA-C-expressing trophoblast. Th17 cells (producing IL-17 and IL-22) and Th22 cells (producing IL-22) exhibit plasticity and could produce IL-22 and IL-17 in association with Th2-type cytokines or with Th1-type cytokines. IL-17 and IL-22 producing Th cells are not harmful for the conceptus, if they also produce IL-4. Another important protective mechanism is connected with the expansion and action of regulatory T cells, which play a major role in the induction of tolerance both in pregnant women and in tumour-bearing patients. Clonally-expanded Treg cells increase at the feto-maternal interface and in tumour-infiltrating regions. While in cancer patients, clonally-expanded Treg cells are present in peripheral blood, they are scarce in pregnancy blood, suggesting that fetal antigen-specific tolerance is restricted to the foeto-maternal interface. The significance of Treg cells in maintaining a normal materno-foetal interaction is underlined by the fact that miscarriage is characterized by a decreased number of total effector Treg cells, and the number of clonally-expanded effector Treg cells is markedly reduced in preeclampsia. In this review we present an overview of the above mechanisms, attempt to show how they are connected, how they operate during normal gestation and how their failure might lead to pregnancy pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Pierre Piccinni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Raj Raghupathy
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Shigeru Saito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Julia Szekeres-Bartho
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical School, Pecs University, Pecs, Hungary.,János Szentágothai Research Centre, Pecs University, Pecs, Hungary.,Endocrine Studies, Centre of Excellence, Pecs University, Pecs, Hungary.,MTA - PTE Human Reproduction Research Group, Pecs, Hungary.,National Laboratory for Human Reproduction, Pecs University, Pecs, Hungary
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38
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Johnson BN, Peters HE, Lambalk CB, Dolan CV, Willemsen G, Ligthart L, Mijatovic V, Hottenga JJ, Ehli EA, Boomsma DI. Male microchimerism in females: a quantitative study of twin pedigrees to investigate mechanisms. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:2529-2537. [PMID: 34293108 PMCID: PMC8373473 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does having a male co-twin, older brothers, or sons lead to an increased probability of persistent male microchimerism in female members of twin pedigrees? SUMMARY ANSWER The presence of a male co-twin did not increase risk of male microchimerism and the prevalence of male microchimerism was not explained by having male offspring or by having an older brother. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Microchimerism describes the presence of cells within an organism that originate from another zygote and is commonly described as resulting from pregnancy in placental mammals. It is associated with diseases with a female predilection including autoimmune diseases and pregnancy-related complications. However, microchimerism also occurs in nulliparous women; signifying gaps in the understanding of risk factors contributing to persistent microchimerism and the origin of the minor cell population. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This cross-sectional study composed of 446 adult female participants of the Netherlands Twin Register (NTR). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Participants included in the study were female monozygotic (MZ) twins, female dizygotic same-sex twins and females of dizygotic opposite-sex twin pairs, along with the mothers and sisters of these twins. Peripheral blood samples collected from adult female participants underwent DNA extraction and were biobanked prior to the study. To detect the presence of male-origin microchimerism, DNA samples were tested for the relative quantity of male specific Y chromosome gene DYS14 compared to a common β-globin gene using a highly sensitive quantitative PCR assay. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE We observed a large number of women (26.9%) having detectable male microchimerism in their peripheral blood samples. The presence of a male co-twin did not increase risk of male microchimerism (odds ratio (OR) = 1.23: SE 0.40, P = 0.61) and the prevalence of male microchimerism was not explained by having male offspring (OR 0.90: SE 0.19, P = 0.63) or by having an older brother (OR = 1.46: SE 0.32, P = 0.09). The resemblance (correlation) for the presence of microchimerism was similar (P = 0.66) in MZ pairs (0.27; SE 0.37) and in first-degree relatives (0.091; SE 0.092). However, age had a positive relationship with the presence of male microchimerism (P = 0.02). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION After stratifying for variables of interest, some participant groups resulted in a low numbers of subjects. We investigated microchimerism in peripheral blood due to the proposed mechanism of cell acquisition via transplacental blood exchange; however, this does not represent global chimerism in the individual and microchimerism may localize to numerous other tissues. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Immune regulation during pregnancy is known to mitigate allosensitization and support tolerance to non-inherited antigens found on donor cells. While unable to identify a specific source that promotes microchimerism prevalence within pedigrees, this study points to the underlying complexities of natural microchimerism in the general population. These findings support previous studies which have identified the presence of male microchimerism among women with no history of pregnancy, suggesting alternative sources of microchimerism. The association of detectable male microchimerism with age is suggestive of additional factors including time, molecular characteristics and environment playing a critical role in the prevalence of persistent microchimerism. The present study necessitates investigation into the molecular underpinnings of natural chimerism to provide insight into women’s health, transplant medicine and immunology. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work is funded by Royal Netherlands Academy of Science Professor Award (PAH/6635 to D.I.B.); The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw)—Genotype/phenotype database for behavior genetic and genetic epidemiological studies (ZonMw 911-09-032); Biobanking and Biomolecular Research Infrastructure (BBMRI–NL, 184.021.007; 184.033.111); The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)—Netherlands Twin Registry Repository (NWO-Groot 480-15-001/674); the National Institutes of Health—The Rutgers University Cell and DNA Repository cooperative agreement (NIMH U24 MH068457-06), Grand Opportunity grants Integration of genomics and transcriptomics in normal twins and major depression (NIMH 1RC2 MH089951-01), and Developmental trajectories of psychopathology (NIMH 1RC2 MH089995); and European Research Council—Genetics of Mental Illness (ERC 230374). C.B.L. declares a competing interest as editor-in-chief of Human Reproduction and his department receives unrestricted research grants from Ferring, Merck and Guerbet. All remaining authors have no conflict-of-interest to declare in regards to this work. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- B N Johnson
- Avera Institute for Human Genetics, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.,Netherlands Twin Register, Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - H E Peters
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Reproduction and Development (AR&D) Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C B Lambalk
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Reproduction and Development (AR&D) Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C V Dolan
- Netherlands Twin Register, Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - G Willemsen
- Netherlands Twin Register, Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - L Ligthart
- Netherlands Twin Register, Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - V Mijatovic
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J J Hottenga
- Netherlands Twin Register, Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - E A Ehli
- Avera Institute for Human Genetics, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - D I Boomsma
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development (AR&D) Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Twin Register, Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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39
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Gregory EJ, Liu J, Miller-Handley H, Kinder JM, Way SS. Epidemiology of Pregnancy Complications Through the Lens of Immunological Memory. Front Immunol 2021; 12:693189. [PMID: 34248991 PMCID: PMC8267465 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.693189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In the fifteen minutes it takes to read this short commentary, more than 400 babies will have been born too early, another 300 expecting mothers will develop preeclampsia, and 75 unborn third trimester fetuses will have died in utero (stillbirth). Given the lack of meaningful progress in understanding the physiological changes that occur to allow a healthy, full term pregnancy, it is perhaps not surprising that effective therapies against these great obstetrical syndromes that include prematurity, preeclampsia, and stillbirth remain elusive. Meanwhile, pregnancy complications remain the leading cause of infant and childhood mortality under age five. Does it have to be this way? What more can we collectively, as a biomedical community, or individually, as clinicians who care for women and newborn babies at high risk for pregnancy complications, do to protect individuals in these extremely vulnerable developmental windows? The problem of pregnancy complications and neonatal mortality is extraordinarily complex, with multiple unique, but complementary perspectives from scientific, epidemiological and public health viewpoints. Herein, we discuss the epidemiology of pregnancy complications, focusing on how the outcome of prior pregnancy impacts the risk of complication in the next pregnancy — and how the fundamental immunological principle of memory may promote this adaptive response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Gregory
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - James Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Hilary Miller-Handley
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Jeremy M Kinder
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Sing Sing Way
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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40
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Myles IA, Datta SK. Frontline Science: Breast milk confers passive cellular immunity via CD8-dependent mechanisms. J Leukoc Biol 2021; 109:709-715. [PMID: 32881103 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.3hi0820-406rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Most modern research into the immune effects of breast milk has focused on the impacts of immunoglobulin or oligosaccharide content. However, immediately prior to parturition, the cell populations of breast milk become selectively enriched for CD8+ T cells of an effector memory subtype. Despite this observation that the cellular content of breast milk contains a distinct leukocyte population when compared to peripheral blood, the physiologic role of these CD8+ effector memory cells is unknown. Research encompassing animal models and humans has demonstrated that leukocytes are capable of transferring antigen-specific immunity even when lysed, dialyzed to enrich for fractions less than 10 kDa, and orally administered. Our previous work built upon these reports to elucidate several aspects of this dialyzable leukocyte extract (DLE) activity: only DLE from T effector memory CD8+ cells was capable of transferring antigen-specific immunity; the DLE activity was TCRβ dependent; dendritic cells (DCs) were the cellular target of DLE; and DLE enhanced immune activity in epithelial challenge models via induction of IL-6 from DCs. Herein, we reveal that breast milk dialysate activates similar cytokine and genetic pathways as DLE taken from peripheral blood and murine spleens through TCRβ- and CD8-dependent mechanisms. These findings suggest that the CD8+ memory T cells enriched in breast milk, even after potential lysis in the infant gut, may represent a mechanism for passive transfer of cellular immunity from mother to child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian A Myles
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sandip K Datta
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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41
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The Gut‒Breast Axis: Programming Health for Life. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13020606. [PMID: 33673254 PMCID: PMC7917897 DOI: 10.3390/nu13020606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut is a pivotal organ in health and disease. The events that take place in the gut during early life contribute to the programming, shaping and tuning of distant organs, having lifelong consequences. In this context, the maternal gut plays a quintessence in programming the mammary gland to face the nutritional, microbiological, immunological, and neuroendocrine requirements of the growing infant. Subsequently, human colostrum and milk provides the infant with an impressive array of nutrients and bioactive components, including microbes, immune cells, and stem cells. Therefore, the axis linking the maternal gut, the breast, and the infant gut seems crucial for a correct infant growth and development. The aim of this article is not to perform a systematic review of the human milk components but to provide an insight of their extremely complex interactions, which render human milk a unique functional food and explain why this biological fluid still truly remains as a scientific enigma.
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42
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Iwai S, Okada A, Sasano K, Endo M, Yamazaki S, Wang X, Shimbo T, Tomimatsu T, Kimura T, Tamai K. Controlled induction of immune tolerance by mesenchymal stem cells transferred by maternal microchimerism. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 539:83-88. [PMID: 33461067 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Feto-maternal immune tolerance is established during pregnancy; however, its mechanism and maintenance remain underexplored. Here, we investigated whether mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) as non-inherited maternal antigens (NIMAs) transferred by maternal microchimerism could induce immune tolerance. We showed that MSCs had a potential equivalent to hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) to induce immune tolerance and that MSCs were essential to induce tolerance to MSC-specific antigens. Furthermore, we demonstrated that MSCs as NIMAs transferred by maternal microchimerism could induce robust immune tolerance that can be further enhanced using a drug. Our data shed light on induction of immune tolerance and serve as a foundation to develop new therapies using maternally derived cells for autoimmune or genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayuri Iwai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Aiko Okada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kei Sasano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masayuki Endo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan; StemRIM Institute of Regeneration-Inducing Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan; Department of Children's and Women's Health, Division of Health Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Sho Yamazaki
- Department of Stem Cell Therapy Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan; StemRIM Inc, Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Stem Cell Therapy Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan; StemRIM Inc, Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takashi Shimbo
- Department of Stem Cell Therapy Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan; StemRIM Institute of Regeneration-Inducing Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Takuji Tomimatsu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tadashi Kimura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Katsuto Tamai
- Department of Stem Cell Therapy Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.
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Bianchi DW, Khosrotehrani K, Way SS, MacKenzie TC, Bajema I, O'Donoghue K. Forever Connected: The Lifelong Biological Consequences of Fetomaternal and Maternofetal Microchimerism. Clin Chem 2020; 67:351-362. [PMID: 33417673 PMCID: PMC10072000 DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/hvaa304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Originally studied as a mechanism to understand eclampsia-related deaths during pregnancy, fetal cells in maternal blood have more recently garnered attention as a noninvasive source of fetal material for prenatal testing. In the 21st century, however, intact fetal cells have been largely supplanted by circulating cell-free placental DNA for aneuploidy screening. Instead, interest has pivoted to the ways in which fetal cells influence maternal biology. In parallel, an increasing appreciation of the consequences of maternal cells in the developing fetus has occurred. CONTENT In this review, we highlight the potential clinical applications and functional consequences of the bidirectional trafficking of intact cells between a pregnant woman and her fetus. Fetal cells play a potential role in the pathogenesis of maternal disease and tissue repair. Maternal cells play an essential role in educating the fetal immune system and as a factor in transplant acceptance. Naturally occurring maternal microchimerism is also being explored as a source of hematopoietic stem cells for transplant in fetal hematopoietic disorders. SUMMARY Future investigations in humans need to include complete pregnancy histories to understand maternal health and transplant success or failure. Animal models are useful to understand the mechanisms underlying fetal wound healing and/or repair associated with maternal injury and inflammation. The lifelong consequences of the exchange of cells between a mother and her child are profound and have many applications in development, health, and disease. This intricate exchange of genetically foreign cells creates a permanent connection that contributes to the survival of both individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana W Bianchi
- National Human Genome Research Institute and Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kiarash Khosrotehrani
- Experimental Dermatology Group, The University of Queensland, UQ Diamantina Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sing Sing Way
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Tippi C MacKenzie
- Center for Maternal-Fetal Precision Medicine and the Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ingeborg Bajema
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Keelin O'Donoghue
- Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health (INFANT), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Green ES, Arck PC. Pathogenesis of preterm birth: bidirectional inflammation in mother and fetus. Semin Immunopathol 2020; 42:413-429. [PMID: 32894326 PMCID: PMC7508962 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-020-00807-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Preterm birth (PTB) complicates 5–18% of pregnancies globally and is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Most PTB is spontaneous and idiopathic, with largely undefined causes. To increase understanding of PTB, much research in recent years has focused on using animal models to recapitulate the pathophysiology of PTB. Dysfunctions of maternal immune adaptations have been implicated in a range of pregnancy pathologies, including PTB. A wealth of evidence arising from mouse models as well as human studies is now available to support that PTB results from a breakdown in fetal-maternal tolerance, along with excessive, premature inflammation. In this review, we examine the current knowledge of the bidirectional communication between fetal and maternal systems and its role in the immunopathogenesis of PTB. These recent insights significantly advance our understanding of the pathogenesis of PTB, which is essential to ultimately designing more effective strategies for early prediction and subsequent prevention of PTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella Shana Green
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Laboratory for Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Petra Clara Arck
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Laboratory for Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20251, Hamburg, Germany.
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El-Ansary M, Saadi G, Hassaballa M, Zidan M, Abdel Fattah W, Kelany AK, Hanna MOF. Donor cell microchimerism in kidney transplantation: Implications for graft function. Int J Immunogenet 2020; 47:494-500. [PMID: 32881306 DOI: 10.1111/iji.12492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Given the uncertainty regarding the relationship between donor cells at microchimeric levels and its influence on graft function and clinical outcome, we explored the extent and importance of donor microchimerism in kidney transplantation. Twenty patients with chronic kidney disease who had received allografts from living donors were studied. We examined peripheral whole blood samples from the recipients one month after the transplant, applying mitochondrial DNA variant-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify and quantify donor cells in relation to allograft function and survival during three years of follow-up. Higher quantities of donor-derived cell microchimerism in the peripheral blood correlated with better graft function in the early postoperative period at 1 month (R2 = .536, p = .001) and predicted improved graft function 1 year following the transplant (R2 = .430, p = .008). Furthermore, early post-transplant quantities of donor cell microchimerism were an important predictor of improved kidney function 3 years after transplantation (R2 = .397, p = .021). However, donor cell microchimerism failed to predict patient and graft survival after 3 years (odds ratio = 0.536, p = .860). Our findings suggest that donor cell microchimerism plays an immunoregulatory role in kidney transplantation and contributes to donor-specific immune hypo-responsiveness and graft acceptance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mervat El-Ansary
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Gamal Saadi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - May Hassaballa
- Department of Internal Medicine and Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Zidan
- Department of Internal Medicine and Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Walaa Abdel Fattah
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ayda K Kelany
- Genome Unit, Kasr El-Aini, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mariam Onsy F Hanna
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES During pregnancy, small quantities of maternal cells are naturally transmitted to the fetus. This transmission, termed maternal microchimerism (MMc), has been implicated in autoimmune diseases but its potential role is unclear. We aimed to investigate if MMc at birth predicted childhood celiac disease (CD) risk, a common immune-mediated enteropathy often presenting in childhood. METHODS We designed a case-control study, nested in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort. Participants were HLA class II typed to determine noninherited, nonshared maternal alleles (NIMA). Droplet digital (dd) PCR assays specific for common HLA class II NIMAs (HLA-DQB103:01, 04:02 and 06:02/03) were used to estimate the quantity of maternal DNA, as a marker of maternal cells, in cord blood DNA from 124 children who later developed clinically diagnosed CD (median age at end of study 7.4 years, range 3.6-12.9) and 124 random controls. We tested whether presence of MMc was associated with CD using logistic regression, and compared ranks between cases and controls. RESULTS MMc, for example, maternal HLA antigens not inherited by the child, was found in 42% of cases and 43% of controls, and not associated with CD (odds ratio [OR] 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58-1.60). The ranks of MMc quantities in cases and controls were also similar (Mann-Whitney U-test, P = 0.71). The subgroup with HLA-DQB1:03*01 as their NIMA had a potential association with MMc, where levels greater than median was associated with CD (OR 3.78, 95% CI 1.28-11.18). CONCLUSION MMc measured in cord blood was not associated with later risk of CD.
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47
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Saso A, Kampmann B. Maternal Immunization: Nature Meets Nurture. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1499. [PMID: 32849319 PMCID: PMC7396522 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccinating women in pregnancy (i.e., maternal immunization) has emerged as a promising tool to tackle infant morbidity and mortality worldwide. This approach nurtures a 'gift of nature,' whereby antibody is transferred from mother to fetus transplacentally during pregnancy, or postnatally in breast milk, thereby providing passive, antigen-specific protection against infections in the first few months of life, a period of increased immune vulnerability for the infant. In this review, we briefly summarize the rationale for maternal immunization programs and the landscape of vaccines currently in use or in the pipeline. We then direct the focus to the underlying biological phenomena, including the main mechanisms by which maternally derived antibody is transferred efficiently to the infant, at the placental interface or in breast milk; important research models and methodological approaches to interrogate these processes, particularly in the context of recent advances in systems vaccinology; the potential biological and clinical impact of high maternal antibody titres on neonatal ontogeny and subsequent infant vaccine responses; and key vaccine- and host-related factors influencing the maternal-infant dyad across different environments. Finally, we outline important gaps in knowledge and suggest future avenues of research on this topic, proposing potential strategies to ensure optimal testing, delivery and implementation of maternal vaccination programs worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Saso
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM, Banjul, Gambia
| | - Beate Kampmann
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM, Banjul, Gambia
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Peters HE, Johnson BN, Ehli EA, Micha D, Verhoeven MO, Davies GE, Dekker JJML, Overbeek A, Berg MHVD, Dulmen-den Broeder EV, Leeuwen FEV, Mijatovic V, Boomsma DI, Lambalk CB. Low prevalence of male microchimerism in women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome. Hum Reprod 2020; 34:1117-1125. [PMID: 31111890 PMCID: PMC6554047 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is there an increased prevalence of male microchimerism in women with Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, as evidence of fetal exposure to blood and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) from a (vanished) male co-twin resulting in regression of the Müllerian duct derivatives? SUMMARY ANSWER Predominant absence of male microchimerism in adult women with MRKH syndrome does not support our hypothesis that intrauterine blood exchange with a (vanished) male co-twin is the pathophysiological mechanism. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The etiology of MRKH is unclear. Research on the phenotype analogous condition in cattle (freemartinism) has yielded the hypothesis that Müllerian duct development is inhibited by exposure to AMH in utero. In cattle, the male co-twin has been identified as the source for AMH, which is transferred via placental blood exchange. In human twins, a similar exchange of cellular material has been documented by detection of chimerism, but it is unknown whether this has clinical consequences. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION An observational case–control study was performed to compare the presence of male microchimerism in women with MRKH syndrome and control women. Through recruitment via the Dutch patients’ association of women with MRKH (comprising 300 members who were informed by email or regular mail), we enrolled 96 patients between January 2017 and July 2017. The control group consisted of 100 women who reported never having been pregnant. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS After written informed consent, peripheral blood samples were obtained by venipuncture, and genomic DNA was extracted. Male microchimerism was detected by Y-chromosome–specific real-time quantitative PCR, with use of DYS14 marker. Possible other sources for microchimerism, for example older brothers, were evaluated using questionnaire data. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The final analysis included 194 women: 95 women with MRKH syndrome with a mean age of 40.9 years and 99 control women with a mean age of 30.2 years. In total, 54 women (56.8%) were identified as having typical MRKH syndrome, and 41 women (43.2%) were identified as having atypical MRKH syndrome (when extra-genital malformations were present). The prevalence of male microchimerism was significantly higher in the control group than in the MRKH group (17.2% versus 5.3%, P = 0.009). After correcting for age, women in the control group were 5.8 times more likely to have male microchimerism (odds ratio 5.84 (CI 1.59–21.47), P = 0.008). The mean concentration of male microchimerism in the positive samples was 56.0 male genome equivalent per 1 000 000 cells. The prevalence of male microchimerism was similar in women with typical MRKH syndrome and atypical MRKH syndrome (5.6% versus 4.9%, P = 0.884). There were no differences between women with or without microchimerism in occurrence of alternative sources of XY cells, such as older brothers, previous blood transfusion, or history of sexual intercourse. LIMITATIONS, REASON FOR CAUTION We are not able to draw definitive conclusions regarding the occurrence of AMH exchange during embryologic development in women with MRKH syndrome. Our subject population includes all adult women and therefore is reliant on long-term prevalence of microchimerism. Moreover, we have only tested blood, and, theoretically, the cells may have grafted anywhere in the body during development. It must also be considered that the exchange of AMH may occur without the transfusion of XY cells and therefore cannot be discovered by chimerism detection. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This is the first study to test the theory that freemartinism causes the MRKH syndrome in humans. The study aimed to test the presence of male microchimerism in women with MRKH syndrome as a reflection of early fetal exposure to blood and AMH from a male (vanished) co-twin. We found that male microchimerism was only present in 5.3% of the women with MRKH syndrome, a significantly lower percentage than in the control group (17.2%). Our results do not provide evidence for an increased male microchimerism in adult women with MRKH as a product of intrauterine blood exchange. However, the significant difference in favor of the control group is of interest to the ongoing discussion on microchimeric cell transfer and the possible sources of XY cells. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) None. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Dutch trial register, NTR5961.
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Affiliation(s)
- H E Peters
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - B N Johnson
- Avera Institute for Human Genetics, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - E A Ehli
- Avera Institute for Human Genetics, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - D Micha
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M O Verhoeven
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - G E Davies
- Avera Institute for Human Genetics, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - J J M L Dekker
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - A Overbeek
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M H van den Berg
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology/Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - E van Dulmen-den Broeder
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology/Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - F E van Leeuwen
- Department of Epidemiology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - V Mijatovic
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - D I Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - C B Lambalk
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Maternal microchimerism protects hemophilia A patients from inhibitor development. Blood Adv 2020; 4:1867-1869. [PMID: 32374877 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020001832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Key Points
Deleterious F8 mutations do not necessarily lead to the incidence of inhibitors in hemophilia A patients receiving replacement therapy. Maternal chimeric cells migrated into a fetus with hemophilia A during pregnancy could induce tolerance toward FVIII.
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50
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Laouar A. Maternal Leukocytes and Infant Immune Programming during Breastfeeding. Trends Immunol 2020; 41:225-239. [PMID: 32057705 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2020.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The fetal immune system develops in a rather sterile environment relative to the outside world and, therefore, lacks antigenic education. Soon after birth, the newborn is exposed to the hostile environment of pathogens. Recently, animal- and limited human-based studies have indicated that help from the mother, upon transfer of leukocytes and their products via breast milk feeding, greatly assists the newborn's immune system. Here, I discuss the newest advances on how milk leukocytes impact early life immunity, with an emphasis on the development of the infant T cell repertoire and early immune responses in the periphery and gut-associated lymphoid tissue. A deeper understanding of these novel mechanistic insights may inform potential translational approaches to improving immunity in infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amale Laouar
- Surgery Department and the Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School-Rutgers University, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
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