From Womb to World: Exploring the Immunological Connections between Mother and Child

Abstract

Mother and child are immunologically interconnected by mechanisms that we are only beginning to understand. During pregnancy, multiple molecular and cellular factors of maternal origin are transferred across the placenta and influence the development and function of the fetal and newborn immune system. Altered maternal immune states arising from pregnancy-associated infections or immunizations have the potential to program offspring immune function in ways that may have long-term health consequences. In this study, we review current literature on the impact of prenatal infection and vaccination on the developing immune system, highlight knowledge gaps, and look to the horizon to envision maternal interventions that could benefit both the mother and her child.

FIGURE 1.

The mother–infant dyad: vertically transferred immunity. Offspring immunity is influenced by several vertically transferred maternal factors, including Ab, cytokines, Ag, microbes, and cells. Maternal immune states arising from pregnancy-associated infections and immunizations can impact these pathways and have long-term consequences on offspring health, including susceptibility to infections and immune-mediated diseases as well as neurodevelopment. The figure was created using BioRender.com.