During pregnancy, patients would have enhanced natural immunity against influenza A.
- During their work, scientists therefore discovered a natural defense mechanism against influenza A which is only present in pregnant women.
- During pregnancy in mice examined during the study, a certain type of immune cell was activated in the nasal cavity.
- This phenomenon led to the production of a molecule that strengthens the body’s antiviral defenses, particularly in the nose and upper respiratory tract, and thus prevented the influenza A virus from spreading to the lungs.
Faced with the risk of disease, pregnant women are often considered fragile. This is why they are encouraged to be vaccinated against several conditions. But a new study, published in the journal Science Advancescalls into question this fragility on a pathology. Researchers have indeed discovered that pregnant women have enhanced natural immunity against the influenza A virus. As a reminder, the flu is an acute respiratory infection caused by an influenza virus. There are 3 types that can affect humans: A, B and C. Depending on thePasteur Institutetype A viruses are very dangerous for humans, because they can be fatal and cause pandemics.
In pregnant women, a type of immune cell activates in the nasal cavity
“The influenza A virus remains one of the deadliest threats to humanity, corroborates Julia Chronopoulos, another author, in a press release. This natural immunity during pregnancy could change the way we think about protection against the flu for pregnant women”. During their work, scientists discovered a natural defense mechanism against influenza A which is only present in pregnant mice. Specifically, during rodent pregnancy, they found that a certain type of immune cell became activated in the nasal cavity. This phenomenon led to the production of a molecule that strengthens the body’s antiviral defenses, particularly in the nose and upper respiratory tract, and thus prevented the influenza A virus from spreading to the lungs.
Flu: natural immunity to protect the baby
“Our results are surprising (…) but they are logical from an evolutionary point of viewexplains Dr. Maziar Divangahi, co-senior author of the study. A mother must stay healthy to protect her developing baby, so the immune system adapts to strengthen its defenses. This fascinating response in the nasal cavity is the body’s way of adding an extra layer of protection, which is activated during pregnancy”. Ultimately, this discovery could allow the development of new vaccines for the general population. “Our results suggest that the immune response we observed could be reproduced beyond pregnancy, says Dr. James Martin, who participated in the research.
