tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Birth
. 2022 Jul 8.
doi: 10.1111/birt.12667. Online ahead of print.
Antibody levels to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in mothers and children from delivery to six months later
María Martin-Vicente[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Itziar Carrasco[SUP] 2 [/SUP], María José Muñoz-Gomez[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Alicia Hernanz Lobo[SUP] 2 3 [/SUP], Vicente Mas[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Sara Vigil-Vázquez[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Mónica Vázquez[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Angela Manzanares[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Olga Cano[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Roberto Alonso[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Daniel Sepúlveda-Crespo[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Laura Tarancón-Díez[SUP] 7 [/SUP], María Ángeles Muñoz-Fernández[SUP] 7 8 [/SUP], Mar Muñoz-Chapuli[SUP] 9 [/SUP], Salvador Resino[SUP] 1 10 [/SUP], Maria Luisa Navarro[SUP] 2 3 10 [/SUP], Isidoro Martinez[SUP] 1 10 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Introduction: Pregnant women are vulnerable to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Neutralizing antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein protect from severe disease. This study analyzes the antibody titers to SARS-CoV-2 S protein in pregnant women and their newborns at delivery, and six months later.
Methods: We conducted a prospective study on pregnant women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and newborns. Antibody (IgG, IgM, and IgA) titers were determined using immunoassays in serum and milk samples. An angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor-binding inhibition assay to the S protein was performed on the same serum and milk samples.
Results: At birth, antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were detected in 81.9% of mothers' sera, 78.9% of cord blood samples, and 63.2% of milk samples. Symptomatic women had higher antibody titers (IgG, IgM, and IgA) than the asymptomatic ones (P < 0.05). At six months postpartum, IgG levels decreased drastically in children's serum (P < 0.001) but remained high in mothers' serum. Antibody titers correlated positively with its capacity to inhibit the ACE2-spike protein interaction at baseline in maternal sera (R[SUP]2[/SUP] = 0.203; P < 0.001), cord sera (R[SUP]2[/SUP] = 0.378; P < 0.001), and milk (R[SUP]2[/SUP] = 0.564; P < 0.001), and at six months in maternal sera (R[SUP]2[/SUP] = 0.600; P < 0.001).
Conclusions: High antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were found in most pregnant women. Due to the efficient transfer of IgG to cord blood and high IgA titers in breast milk, neonates may be passively immunized to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our findings could guide newborn management and maternal vaccination policies.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; antibody; breast milk; cord blood; newborn; pregnant; spike glycoprotein.
. 2022 Jul 8.
doi: 10.1111/birt.12667. Online ahead of print.
Antibody levels to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in mothers and children from delivery to six months later
María Martin-Vicente[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Itziar Carrasco[SUP] 2 [/SUP], María José Muñoz-Gomez[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Alicia Hernanz Lobo[SUP] 2 3 [/SUP], Vicente Mas[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Sara Vigil-Vázquez[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Mónica Vázquez[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Angela Manzanares[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Olga Cano[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Roberto Alonso[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Daniel Sepúlveda-Crespo[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Laura Tarancón-Díez[SUP] 7 [/SUP], María Ángeles Muñoz-Fernández[SUP] 7 8 [/SUP], Mar Muñoz-Chapuli[SUP] 9 [/SUP], Salvador Resino[SUP] 1 10 [/SUP], Maria Luisa Navarro[SUP] 2 3 10 [/SUP], Isidoro Martinez[SUP] 1 10 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 35802776
- DOI: 10.1111/birt.12667
Abstract
Introduction: Pregnant women are vulnerable to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Neutralizing antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein protect from severe disease. This study analyzes the antibody titers to SARS-CoV-2 S protein in pregnant women and their newborns at delivery, and six months later.
Methods: We conducted a prospective study on pregnant women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and newborns. Antibody (IgG, IgM, and IgA) titers were determined using immunoassays in serum and milk samples. An angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor-binding inhibition assay to the S protein was performed on the same serum and milk samples.
Results: At birth, antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were detected in 81.9% of mothers' sera, 78.9% of cord blood samples, and 63.2% of milk samples. Symptomatic women had higher antibody titers (IgG, IgM, and IgA) than the asymptomatic ones (P < 0.05). At six months postpartum, IgG levels decreased drastically in children's serum (P < 0.001) but remained high in mothers' serum. Antibody titers correlated positively with its capacity to inhibit the ACE2-spike protein interaction at baseline in maternal sera (R[SUP]2[/SUP] = 0.203; P < 0.001), cord sera (R[SUP]2[/SUP] = 0.378; P < 0.001), and milk (R[SUP]2[/SUP] = 0.564; P < 0.001), and at six months in maternal sera (R[SUP]2[/SUP] = 0.600; P < 0.001).
Conclusions: High antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were found in most pregnant women. Due to the efficient transfer of IgG to cord blood and high IgA titers in breast milk, neonates may be passively immunized to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our findings could guide newborn management and maternal vaccination policies.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; antibody; breast milk; cord blood; newborn; pregnant; spike glycoprotein.