Maternal antiviral history synergizes with pregnancy and lactation to transfer intergenerational systemic immunity through IgG in milk

Abstract

Maternal immune transfer is essential for early-life health, yet whether immune experiences before pregnancy shape maternal physiology to optimize immunity in subsequent offspring is unclear. Here, we show that respiratory viral infection before pregnancy confers robust protection against lethal neonatal influenza through antibodies transferred postpartum in milk. Despite the predominance of IgA in milk, antiviral IgG is indispensable for protection. Pregnancy amplifies pre-existing antiviral B cell responses, while prior infection durably reprograms the mammary gland to promote transfer of circulating antiviral IgG into milk. These antibodies retain their epitope specificity, are enriched for broadly protective influenza epitopes, remain functional after passage through the neonatal intestine, and enter offspring circulation through FcRn to provide protection beyond weaning. Natural transmission of virus from infected offspring to mothers establishes maternal immunity that protects future offspring, revealing a coordinated adaptive program that links maternal immune history, pregnancy, and lactation to optimize intergenerational immunity. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=178 SRC="FIGDIR/small/744935v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (66K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1f82cbeorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@41ac81org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a4538aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@168bc21_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG O_FLOATNOGRAPHICAL ABSTRACTC_FLOATNO C_FIG HIGHLIGHTSO_LIPreconceptual maternal intranasal influenza infection confers complete neonatal B cell mediated protection against lethal neonatal influenza infection that persists beyond weaning into early adulthood. C_LIO_LIProtection can be transmitted postnatally through milk and is fully dependent on maternal IgG. C_LIO_LIPregnancy enhances rather than suppresses antiviral B cell programs in the mother. C_LIO_LIMilk IgG targets a restricted set of conserved influenza Hemagglutinin epitopes, suggesting selective transfer of broadly protective antibody populations. C_LIO_LIProtective IgG in milk derives from maternal circulation, not from local B cell mammary gland production. C_LIO_LIRespiratory infection before pregnancy induces long-lived vascular, stromal, and epithelial transcriptional remodeling of the mammary gland. C_LIO_LINeonatal Fc Receptor (FcRn) mediated transport of milk IgG into circulation is required for protection. C_LIO_LIInfected neonates transmit virus back to mothers, extending protection to subsequent litters for multi-generation protection. C_LI