Impact of In Utero Exposure to Malaria on Fetal T Cell Immunity

• Published in: Trends in molecular medicine Vol. 22; no. 10; pp. 877 - 888
• Main Authors: Odorizzi, Pamela M, Feeney, Margaret E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2016
• Subjects: Female; fetal immune system; fetal tolerance; Fetus - cytology; Fetus - immunology; Fetus - pathology; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Immunity; Immunity, Cellular; Immunity, Innate; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Malaria - complications; Malaria - epidemiology; Malaria - immunology; Malaria - pathology; Pathology; placental malaria; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic - epidemiology; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic - immunology; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic - pathology; pregnancy-associated malaria; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - epidemiology; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - immunology; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - pathology; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; fetal immune system; fetal tolerance; placental malaria; pregnancy-associated malaria
• ISSN: 1471-4914; 1471-499X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2016.08.005

Pregnancy-associated malaria, including placental malaria, causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recently, it has been suggested that in utero exposure of the fetus to malaria antigens may negatively impact the developing immune system and result in tolerance to malaria. Here, we review our current knowledge of fetal immunity to malaria, focusing on the dynamic interactions between maternal malaria infection, placental development, and the fetal immune system. A better understanding of the long-term impact of in utero malaria exposure on the development of natural immunity to malaria, immune responses to other childhood pathogens, and vaccine immunogenicity is urgently needed. This may guide the implementation of novel chemoprevention strategies during pregnancy and facilitate the push toward malaria vaccines.