Spike-specific T cells are enriched in breastmilk following SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination.
Mucosal Immunol
; 16(1): 39-49, 2023 02.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2181753
ABSTRACT
Human breastmilk is rich in T cells; however, their specificity and function are largely unknown. We compared the phenotype, diversity, and antigen specificity of T cells in breastmilk and peripheral blood of lactating individuals who received SARS-CoV-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccination. Relative to blood, breastmilk contained higher frequencies of T effector and central memory populations that expressed mucosal-homing markers. T cell receptor sequence overlap was limited between blood and breastmilk. Overabundant breastmilk clones were observed in all individuals, were diverse, and contained complementarity-determining regions in three sequences with known epitope specificity, including to SARS-CoV-2 spike. SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific T cell receptors were more frequent in breastmilk compared to blood and expanded in breastmilk following a 3rd mRNA vaccine dose. Our observations indicate that the lactating breast contains a distinct T cell population that can be modulated by maternal vaccination with potential implications for passive infant protection.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
/
Milk, Human
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Vaccines
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
Language:
English
Journal:
Mucosal Immunol
Journal subject:
Allergy and Immunology
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.mucimm.2023.01.003
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