Neutralizing and binding antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 with hybrid immunity in pregnancy.

Hybrid immunity against SARS-CoV-2 has not been well studied in pregnancy. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of neutralizing antibodies (nAb) and binding antibodies in pregnant individuals who received mRNA vaccination, natural infection, or both. A third vaccine dose augmented nAb levels compared to the two-dose regimen or natural infection alone; this effect was more pronounced in hybrid immunity.

Gravidity influences distinct transcriptional profiles of maternal and fetal placental macrophages at term.

Introduction: Maternal intervillous monocytes (MIMs) and fetal Hofbauer cells (HBCs) are myeloid-derived immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface. Maternal reproductive history is associated with differential risk of pregnancy complications. The molecular phenotypes and roles of these distinct monocyte/macrophage populations and the influence of gravidity on these phenotypes has not been systematically investigated.

Placental Malaria Induces a Unique Methylation Profile Associated with Fetal Growth Restriction.

Background: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with perinatal death and adverse birth outcomes, as well as long-term complications, including increased childhood morbidity, abnormal neurodevelopment, and cardio-metabolic diseases in adulthood. Placental epigenetic reprogramming associated with FGR may mediate these long-term outcomes. Placental malaria (PM), characterized by sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes in placental intervillous space, is the leading global cause of FGR, but its impact on placental epigenetics is unknown.

Distinct transcriptional profiles of maternal and fetal placental macrophages at term are associated with gravidity.

Maternal intervillous monocytes (MIMs) and fetal Hofbauer cells (HBCs) are myeloid-derived immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface. Little is known regarding the molecular phenotypes and roles of these distinct monocyte/macrophage populations. Here, we used RNA sequencing to investigate the transcriptional profiles of MIMs and HBCs in six normal term pregnancies.

Minimal mRNA uptake and inflammatory response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccine exposure in human placental explants.

Despite universal recommendations for COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in pregnancy, uptake has been lower than desired. There have been limited studies of the direct impact of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine exposure in human placental tissue. Using a primary human placental explants model, we investigated the uptake of two common mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2 Pfizer-BioNTech or mRNA-1273 Moderna), and whether exposure altered villous cytokine responses.

Assessment of Adverse Reactions, Antibody Patterns, and 12-month Outcomes in the Mother-Infant Dyad After COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination in Pregnancy.

Importance: Longitudinal data on COVID-19 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine reactogenicity and immunogenicity in pregnancy and for the mother-infant dyad are needed.

Objective: To examine COVID-19 mRNA vaccine reactogenicity and immunogenicity in pregnancy and observe longitudinal maternal and infant outcomes.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This prospective cohort study of pregnant individuals enrolled in the COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy and Lactation study from December 1, 2020, through December 31, 2021, with follow-up through March 31, 2022, was conducted at a large academic medical center in an urban metropolitan area in California.

Minimal mRNA uptake and inflammatory response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccine exposure in human placental explants.

Despite universal recommendations for COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in pregnancy, uptake has been lower than desired. There have been limited studies of the direct impact of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine exposure in human placental tissue. Using a primary human villous explant model, we investigated the uptake of two common mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2 Pfizer-BioNTech or mRNA-1273 Moderna), and whether exposure altered villous cytokine responses.

Gestational age-dependent decrease in fetal Hofbauer cells in placentas from pregnancies exposed to wildfire smoke in California.

Objective: Wildfires are more common over the last decade and the frequency of wildfire events has been accelerated by climate change. The existing body of literature suggests that exposure to wildfire smoke during pregnancy contributes to adverse perinatal outcomes such as preterm birth and fetal growth restriction. We hypothesize that exposures to wildfire smoke and its constituents triggers a fetal inflammatory response which contributes to pathological changes that underlie these adverse pregnancy outcomes.

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

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. We evaluated 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 pregnancy. We found no evidence of mRNA vaccine products in maternal blood, placenta tissue, or cord blood at delivery.

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

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. We evaluated 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 pregnancy. We found no evidence of mRNA vaccine products in maternal blood, placenta tissue, or cord blood at delivery.

COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination in Lactation: Assessment of Adverse Events and Vaccine Related Antibodies in Mother-Infant Dyads.

Background: Data regarding symptoms in the lactating mother-infant dyad and their immune response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccination during lactation are needed to inform vaccination guidelines.

Methods: From a prospective cohort of 50 lactating individuals who received mRNA-based vaccines for COVID-19 (mRNA-1273 and BNT162b2), blood and milk samples were collected prior to first vaccination dose, immediately prior to 2nd dose, and 4-10 weeks after 2nd dose. Symptoms in mother and infant were assessed by detailed questionnaires.

COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination in Lactation: Assessment of adverse events and vaccine related antibodies in mother-infant dyads.

Background: Data regarding adverse events observed in the lactating mother-infant dyad and their immune response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccination during lactation are needed to inform vaccination guidelines.

Methods: From a prospective cohort of 50 lactating individuals who received mRNA-based vaccines for COVID-19 (mRNA-1273 and BNT162b2), blood and milk samples were collected prior to first vaccination dose, immediately prior to 2nd dose, and 4-10 weeks after 2nd dose. Symptoms in mother and infant were assessed by detailed questionnaires.

Organophosphate Flame Retardants, Highly Fluorinated Chemicals, and Biomarkers of Placental Development and Disease During Mid-Gestation.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are chemicals that may contribute to placenta-mediated complications and adverse maternal-fetal health risks. Few studies have investigated these chemicals in relation to biomarkers of effect during pregnancy. We measured 12 PFASs and four urinary OPFR metabolites in 132 healthy pregnant women during mid-gestation and examined a subset with biomarkers of placental development and disease (n = 62).

Differential Activation of Fetal Hofbauer Cells in Primigravidas Is Associated with Decreased Birth Weight in Symptomatic Placental Malaria.

Background: Placental malaria is a leading global cause of low birth weight neonates, especially in first-time mothers. To better understand the role of innate immunity in placental malaria, we investigated the relationships between histopathological markers of placental malaria, fetal and maternal macrophage responses, and perinatal outcomes in a cross-sectional case control study of pregnant women presenting with symptomatic malaria at the time of delivery.

Results: Primigravidas showed increased hemozoin deposition in placental villi (=0.

Epidermal growth factor improves developmental competence and embryonic quality of singly cultured domestic cat embryos.

This study examined the influence of EGF on the expression of EGF receptors (EGFR) and developmental competence of embryos cultured individually versus those cultured in groups. Cat oocytes were in vitro matured and fertilized (IVM/IVF), and cleaved embryos were randomly assigned to one of seven culture conditions: one group each in which embryos were subjected to group culture supplemented with or without 5 ng/ml EGF and five groups in which embryos were subjected to single-embryo culture supplemented with EGF (0, 5, 25, 50 or 100 ng/ml). Morulae, blastocysts and hatching blastocysts were assessed at days 5 and 7; post IVF, respectively, and total blastocyst cell numbers were assessed at day 7.

Spermatozoa isolated from cat testes retain their structural integrity as well as a developmental potential after refrigeration for up to 7 days.

The objective of this study was to compare the efficiency of preservation media for isolated feline testicular spermatozoa as well as the concentrations of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on: (1) the membrane (sperm membrane integrity (SMI)) and DNA integrity of spermatozoa; and (2) the developmental potential of spermatozoa after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Isolated cat spermatozoa were stored in HEPES-M199 medium (HM) or Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (DPBS) at 4°C for up to 7 days. Results indicated that HM maintained a better SMI than DPBS throughout the storage periods (P > 0.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) enhances developmental competence of cat embryos cultured singly by modulating the expression of its receptor (IGF-1R) and reducing developmental block.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and the mRNA expression of IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) during the in vitro development of cat embryos cultured in groups versus singly.

Methods: Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured and fertilized in vitro with frozen-thawed semen. Cleaved embryos (48h post-fertilization) were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: 1) group embryo culture without IGF-1 (10 embryos per 50μl droplet), 2) single-embryo culture without IGF-1, and 3) to 6) single-embryo culture (50μl droplet per embryo) supplemented with different concentrations of IGF-1 (5, 25, 50 and 100ng/ml, respectively).

Effects of cold storage on plasma membrane, DNA integrity and fertilizing ability of feline testicular spermatozoa.

This study examined the effects of cold storage on plasma membrane, DNA integrity, and fertilizing ability of domestic cat spermatozoa. Intact cat testes were stored at 4°C in Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline (DPBS) for 7 days. Membrane integrity (experiment 1) and DNA integrity (experiment 2) of extracted spermatozoa were assessed over time during storage.

Successful pregnancy following transfer of feline embryos derived from vitrified immature cat oocytes using 'stepwise' cryoprotectant exposure technique.

Oocyte cryopreservation is the desired tool for the 'long-term' storage of female genetic potential especially for endangered/valuable species. This study aims at examining the ability of different cryoprotectant (CPA) and CPA exposure techniques to protect immature feline oocytes against cryoinjury during vitrification. Immature oocytes were submitted to different CPA exposure techniques: 1) 2-step DMSO, 2) 4-step DMSO, 3) 2-step EG, 4) 4-step EG, 5) 2-step EG plus DMSO and 6) 4-step EG plus DMSO.