iScience
. 2022 Mar 16;25(4):104088.
doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104088. eCollection 2022 Apr 15.
Functional and structural modifications of influenza antibodies during pregnancy
Madeleine F Jennewein 1 , Martina Kosikova 2 , Francesca J Noelette 1 , Peter Radvak 2 , Carolyn M Boudreau 1 , James D Campbell 3 , Wilbur H Chen 3 , Hang Xie 2 , Galit Alter 1 , Marcela F Pasetti 3
Affiliations
- PMID: 35402869
- PMCID: PMC8991102
- DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104088
Abstract
Pregnancy represents a unique tolerogenic immune state which may alter susceptibility to infection and vaccine response. Here, we characterized humoral immunity to seasonal influenza vaccine strains in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Although serological responses to influenza remained largely intact during late pregnancy, distinct modifications were observed. Pregnant women had reduced hemagglutinin subtype-1 (H1)- IgG, IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3, hemagglutination inhibition, and group 1 and 2 stem IgG titers. Intriguingly, H1-specific avidity and FcγR1 binding increased, and influenza antibodies had distinct Fc and Fab glycans characterized by increased di-galactosylation and di-sialylation. H1-specific Fc-functionality (i.e. monocyte phagocytosis and complement deposition) was moderately reduced in pregnancy. Multivariate antibody analysis revealed two distinct populations (pregnant vs. non-pregnant) segregated by H1 FcγR1 binding, H1-IgG levels, and Fab and Fc glycosylation. Our results demonstrated a structural and functional modulation of influenza humoral immunity during pregnancy that was antigen-specific and consistent with reduced inflammation and efficient placental transport.
Keywords: Pregnancy; Virology.