Malaria is a significant cause of global morbidity and mortality. The Plasmodium parasite has a complex life cycle with mosquito, liver, and blood stages. The blood stages can preferentially affect ...organs such as the brain and placenta. In each of these stages and organs, the parasite will encounter monocytes and tissue-specific macrophages—key cell types in the innate immune response. Interactions between the Plasmodium parasite and monocytes/macrophages lead to several changes at both cellular and molecular levels, such as cytokine release and receptor expression. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the relationship between malaria and blood intervillous monocytes and tissue-specific macrophages of the liver (Kupffer cells), central nervous system (microglia), and placenta (maternal intervillous monocytes and fetal Hofbauer cells). We describe their potential roles in modulating outcomes from infection and areas for future investigation.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Introduction Maternal intervillous monocytes (MIMs) and fetal Hofbauer cells (HBCs) are myeloid-derived immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface. Maternal reproductive history is associated with ...differential risk of pregnancy complications. The molecular phenotypes and roles of these distinct monocyte/macrophage populations and the influence of gravidity on these phenotypes has not been systematically investigated. Methods Here, we used RNA sequencing to study the transcriptional profiles of MIMs and HBCs in normal term pregnancies. Results Our analyses revealed distinct transcriptomes of MIMs and HBCs. Genes involved in differentiation and cell organization pathways were more highly expressed in MIMs vs. HBCs. In contrast, HBCs had higher expression of genes involved in inflammatory responses and cell surface receptor signaling. Maternal gravidity influenced monocyte programming, as expression of pro-inflammatory molecules was significantly higher in MIMs from multigravidae compared to primigravidae. In HBCs, multigravidae displayed enrichment of gene pathways involved in cell-cell signaling and differentiation. Discussion Our results demonstrated that MIMs and HBCs have highly divergent transcriptional signatures, reflecting their distinct origins, locations, functions, and roles in inflammatory responses. Furthermore, maternal gravidity influences the gene signatures of MIMs and HBCs, potentially modulating the interplay between tolerance and trained immunity. The phenomenon of reproductive immune memory may play a novel role in the differential susceptibility of primigravidae to pregnancy complications.
Little is known about the persistence of human milk anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after 2nd and 3rd vaccine doses and infection following 3rd dose. In this study, human milk, saliva, and blood samples ...were collected from 33 lactating individuals before and after vaccination and infection. Antibody levels were measured using ELISA and symptoms were assessed using questionnaires. We found that after vaccination, milk anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies persisted for up to 8 months. In addition, distinct patterns of human milk IgA and IgG production and higher milk RBD-blocking activity was observed after infection compared to 3-dose vaccination. Infected mothers reported more symptoms than vaccinated mothers. We examined the persistence of milk antibodies in infant saliva after breastfeeding and found that IgA was more abundant compared to IgG. Our results emphasize the importance of improving the secretion of IgA antibodies to human milk after vaccination to improve the protection of breastfeeding infants.
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•Milk anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies persist 6–8 months following vaccination•Distinct patterns of milk IgA and IgG are produced after infection versus vaccination•Infant saliva IgA is more abundant and persists compared to IgG after breastfeeding
Health sciences; Pediatrics; Immunology; Virology
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
To examine the relationship between maternal sepsis, type of infection, and short-term neonatal outcomes.
We conducted a retrospective cohort study investigating pregnancies between 2005 and 2008 in ...California with antepartum maternal sepsis diagnosis. Comparisons were made between sepsis cases and controls, using chi-squared or Fisher's exact test. Multivariable logistic regression was performed, adjusting for maternal characteristics.
Several maternal characteristics were associated with increased odds of maternal sepsis. Both obstetric and non-obstetric infections were associated with maternal sepsis (p < 0.001). The positive predictive value of maternal sepsis for preterm delivery was 55.03%. Neonates born to maternal sepsis patients had a higher risk of developing neonatal complications including neonatal shock.
Maternal sepsis was associated with neonatal complications. Efforts to reduce maternal sepsis may improve neonatal outcomes. Further studies are required for a better understanding of these associations and whether prevention or more rapid diagnosis and treatment can lower these risks.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Placental Malaria Zakama, Arthurine K.; Ozarslan, Nida; Gaw, Stephanie L.
Current tropical medicine reports,
12/2020, Volume:
7, Issue:
4
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Purpose of Review
Placental malaria is the primary mechanism through which malaria in pregnancy causes adverse perinatal outcomes. This review summarizes recent work on the significance, ...pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prevention of placental malaria.
Recent Findings
Placental malaria, characterized by the accumulation of
Plasmodium
-infected red blood cells in the placental intervillous space, leads to adverse perinatal outcomes such as stillbirth, low birth weight, preterm birth, and small-for-gestational-age neonates. Placental inflammatory responses may be primary drivers of these complications. Associated factors contributing to adverse outcomes include maternal gravidity, timing of perinatal infection, and parasite burden.
Summary
Placental malaria is an important cause of adverse birth outcomes in endemic regions. The main strategy to combat this is intermittent preventative treatment in pregnancy; however, increasing drug resistance threatens the efficacy of this approach. There are studies dissecting the inflammatory response to placental malaria, alternative preventative treatments, and in developing a vaccine for placental malaria.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
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