SARS-CoV-2 anti-RBD and anti-N protein responses are differentially regulated between mother-child pairs:insight from a national study cohort at the Faroe Islands

• Published in: Frontiers in Immunology
• Main Authors: Jarlhelt, Ida, Hansen, Cecilie Bo, Pérez-Alós, Laura, Weihe, Pál, Petersen, Maria Skaalum, Garred, Peter
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2024
• Subjects: antibody duration; maternal immunization; nucleocapsid protein; SARS-CoV-2; spike protein; Faroe Islands; The Spike
• Online Access: https://curis.ku.dk/portal/da/publications/sarscov2-antirbd-and-antin-protein-responses-are-differentially-regulated-between-motherchild-pairs(4de00862-99bc-41b8-ae83-777ddb2476e5).html; https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1418678; https://curis.ku.dk/ws/files/399165718/fimmu_15_1418678.pdf

Background: Knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 antibody dynamics in neonates and direct comparisons with maternal antibody responses are not well established. This study aimed to characterize and directly compare the maternal and infant antibody response in a national birth cohort from the Faroe Islands. Methods: The levels of immunoglobulins (Ig) targeting the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein and the nucleocapsid protein (N protein) of SARS-CoV-2 were investigated in maternal blood and umbilical cord blood from neonates. The study included 537 neonates and 565 mothers from the Faroe Islands, and follow-up samples were collected 12 months after birth. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess associations of maternal parameters with maternal and neonatal Ig levels and pregnancy outcomes. Results: The finding showed that neonates acquired varying levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies through transplacental transfer, and the levels were significantly influenced by the mother’s vaccination and infection status. The study also found that maternal vaccination and the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies targeting spike RBD were associated with gestational age and APGAR scores. Furthermore, the anti-RBD and -N protein-specific antibody response dynamics during 12 months after birth exhibited differences between mothers and children. RBD and N protein responses were maintained at follow-up in the mother’s cohort, while only the N protein response was maintained at follow-up in the children’s cohort. Conclusion: In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses in newborns rely on maternal immunity, while the persistence of SARS-CoV-2-specific Igs appears to be differently regulated between mothers and children. The study provides new insights into the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses in newborns and underscores the nuanced relationship between maternal factors and neonatal humoral responses. Background: Knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 antibody dynamics in neonates and direct comparisons with ...