Evaluation of transplacental transfer of mRNA vaccine products and functional antibodies during pregnancy and infancy

• Published in: Nature communications Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 4422 - 12
• Main Authors: Prahl, Mary, Golan, Yarden, Cassidy, Arianna G., Matsui, Yusuke, Li, Lin, Alvarenga, Bonny, Chen, Hao, Jigmeddagva, Unurzul, Lin, Christine Y., Gonzalez, Veronica J., Chidboy, Megan A., Warrier, Lakshmi, Buarpung, Sirirak, Murtha, Amy P., Flaherman, Valerie J., Greene, Warner C., Wu, Alan H. B., Lynch, Kara L., Rajan, Jayant, Gaw, Stephanie L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 30-07-2022; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 38/88; 38/90; 45/77; 631/250/255; 631/250/590; 631/326/596/4130; 692/308/3187; 692/308/575; 82/1; 82/75; 82/79; 82/81; 82/83; Antibodies; Antibodies, Neutralizing; Antibodies, Viral; Blood; Cord blood; COVID-19 - prevention & control; COVID-19 Vaccines; Epitopes; Female; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Immunization; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoprecipitation; Infant, Newborn; Morbidity; mRNA; mRNA Vaccines; multidisciplinary; Neonates; Phages; Placenta; Placental transfer; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; RNA, Messenger; Safety; SARS-CoV-2 - genetics; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; Spike protein; Vaccination; Vaccines; Vaccines, Synthetic
• ISSN: 2041-1723; 2041-1723
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32188-1

Studies are needed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination during pregnancy, and the levels of protection provided to their newborns through placental transfer of antibodies. Here, we evaluate the transplacental transfer of mRNA vaccine products and functional anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies during pregnancy and early infancy in a cohort of 20 individuals vaccinated during late pregnancy. We find no evidence of mRNA vaccine products in maternal blood, placenta tissue, or cord blood at delivery. However, we find time-dependent efficient transfer of IgG and neutralizing antibodies to the neonate that persists during early infancy. Additionally, using phage immunoprecipitation sequencing, we find a vaccine-specific signature of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein epitope binding that is transplacentally transferred during pregnancy. Timing of vaccination during pregnancy is critical to ensure transplacental transfer of protective antibodies during early infancy.
Pregnant individuals are at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2-related morbidity and mortality, yet more studies are needed to evaluate safety and efficacy of vaccination during pregnancy, and also the level of protection provided to the newborn. Here, the authors evaluate transplacental transfer of mRNA vaccine products and functional SARS-CoV-2 antibodies during pregnancy and early infancy.