Single-cell analysis of immune cells during the construction of the neonatal immune system by maternal immunization

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20976
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0906:Surgery related to the biological and sensory functions and related fields
• Research Institution: Wakayama Medical University
• Principal Investigator: IYO TAKURO 和歌山県立医科大学, 医学部, 準客員研究員 (70895820)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 母体免疫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Although the current pneumococcal vaccines have various benefits, the inability to vaccinate infants demands the development of new strategies. Maternal immunization enables to protect infants, although its mechanism is still not fully understood. The current study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of maternal immunization with pneumococcal common antigen PspA. 4w-old female mice were immunized with recombinant PspA intranasally, then mated with males after immunization. 1w-old offspring derived from and fostered by immunized mothers had more anti-PspA-specific antibody producing cells in the spleen than those derived from sham-immunized mothers. The 6w-old offspring were subcutaneously stimulated with rPspA. The levels of anti-PspA antibodies in sera after stimulation were significantly higher in the offspring derived from the immunized mothers and showed protective efficacy against systemic infection. Maternal immunization would be able to provide a sustained immunity to offspring.

Free Research Field

耳鼻咽喉科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

申請者は母体からの免疫移行による乳幼児の免疫賦活法に着目した。先行研究において、母乳および経胎盤より移行した抗肺炎球菌特異的抗体が仔マウスにおいて肺炎球菌の鼻腔保菌、肺感染、全身感染を抑制することが知られているが、移行抗体以外の因子については十分な検討がなされていない。本研究は、母体免疫が児の免疫機構構築に及ぼす影響を明らかにするとともに、肺炎球菌感染症を抑制する機序を解明し、新規ワクチン戦略に貢献することを目的とする。すなわち、肺炎球菌共通抗原による経鼻免疫を受けた母マウス由来の仔マウスにおける免疫機構の賦活と免疫学的記憶の獲得について、調査する。