title: Cord blood Vγ2Vδ2 T cells provide a molecular marker for the influence of pregnancy-associated malaria on neonatal immunity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Plasmodium falciparum placental infection primes the fetal immune system and alters infant immunity. Mechanisms leading to these outcomes are not completely understood. We focused on Vγ2Vδ2 cells, which are part of the immune response against many pathogens, including P. falciparum. These unconventional lymphocytes respond directly to small, nonpeptidic antigens, independent of major histocompatibility complex presentation. We wondered whether placental malaria, which may increase fetal exposure to P. falciparum metabolites, triggers a response by neonatal Vγ2Vδ2 lymphocytes that can be a marker for the extent of fetal exposure to malarial antigens.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cord blood mononuclear cells were collected from 15 neonates born to mothers with P. falciparum infection during pregnancy (8 with placental malaria) and 25 unexposed neonates. Vγ2Vδ2 cell phenotype, repertoire, and proliferative responses were compared between newborns exposed and those unexposed to P. falciparum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Placental malaria-exposed neonates had increased proportions of central memory Vγ2Vδ2 cells in cord blood, with an altered Vγ2 chain repertoire ex vivo and after stimulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that placental malaria affects the phenotype and repertoire of neonatal Vγ2Vδ2 lymphocytes. Placental malaria may lower the capacity for subsequent Vγ2Vδ2 cell responses and impair the natural resistance to infectious diseases or the response to pediatric vaccination.
authors: Institute of Human Virology.
authors: Cristiana
authors: C
authors: Cairo
authors: Nyaradzo
authors: N
authors: Longinaker
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Cappelli
authors: Rose G F
authors: RG
authors: Leke
authors: Manuel Mve
authors: MM
authors: Ondo
authors: Rosine
authors: R
authors: Djokam
authors: Josephine
authors: J
authors: Fogako
authors: Robert J
authors: RJ
authors: Leke
authors: Bertrand
authors: B
authors: Sagnia
authors: Samuel
authors: S
authors: Sosso
authors: Vittorio
authors: V
authors: Colizzi
authors: C David
authors: CD
authors: Pauza
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D007142:Immunoglobulin gamma-Chains / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007142:Immunoglobulin gamma-Chains
keywords: Plasmodium; aminobisphosphonate; cord blood; gammadelta; innate; neonatal; phosphoantigen; placental malaria; repertoire