Dynamic γδ T-cell Receptor remodeling and antigen-induced T-cell IFN-γ responses after SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy: insights for γδ T-cell immunotherapy.
Pregnancy requires coordinated immune adaptation to maintain fetal tolerance while preserving antiviral defense. However, the temporal dynamics of maternal cellular immunity and maternal-fetal antibody transfer after SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy remain incompletely defined.
We enrolled 52 pregnant women with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and stratified them by infection-to-delivery interval: <90 days, 90-120 days, and >120 days. Maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed by multiparametric flow cytometry. Basal and Omicron BA.5.2 antigen-induced IFN-γ production by CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells were assessed, and SARS-CoV-2-specific S1/RBD IgM and IgG levels were measured in paired maternal and cord blood by ELISA.
Baseline characteristics and major perinatal outcomes were broadly comparable among groups. Maternal T cells retained antigen-inducible IFN-γ responses, with the strongest responses observed in the 90-120-day group. Immune phenotyping revealed interval-associated remodeling of adaptive T-cell subsets, γδ T-cell receptor phenotypes, NK-cell subsets, and selected B-cell compartments. Cord blood IgM remained consistently low, providing no immunological evidence of intrauterine SARS-CoV-2 infection. In contrast, maternal and cord blood IgG levels were positively correlated, indicating preserved transplacental IgG transfer without clear time-dependent changes in transfer efficiency.
These results extend current understanding of post-infection immune adaptation during pregnancy and provide an immunological basis for future longitudinal studies aimed at defining the timing and durability of maternal and neonatal immune protection.
We enrolled 52 pregnant women with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and stratified them by infection-to-delivery interval: <90 days, 90-120 days, and >120 days. Maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed by multiparametric flow cytometry. Basal and Omicron BA.5.2 antigen-induced IFN-γ production by CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells were assessed, and SARS-CoV-2-specific S1/RBD IgM and IgG levels were measured in paired maternal and cord blood by ELISA.
Baseline characteristics and major perinatal outcomes were broadly comparable among groups. Maternal T cells retained antigen-inducible IFN-γ responses, with the strongest responses observed in the 90-120-day group. Immune phenotyping revealed interval-associated remodeling of adaptive T-cell subsets, γδ T-cell receptor phenotypes, NK-cell subsets, and selected B-cell compartments. Cord blood IgM remained consistently low, providing no immunological evidence of intrauterine SARS-CoV-2 infection. In contrast, maternal and cord blood IgG levels were positively correlated, indicating preserved transplacental IgG transfer without clear time-dependent changes in transfer efficiency.
These results extend current understanding of post-infection immune adaptation during pregnancy and provide an immunological basis for future longitudinal studies aimed at defining the timing and durability of maternal and neonatal immune protection.
Authors
Ke Ke, Pan Pan, Li Li, He He, Li Li, Chen Chen, Liu Liu, Li Li, Luo Luo, Guo Guo, Chen Chen, Chen Chen, Xu Xu
View on Pubmed