Interactions Between Specific Immune Status of Pregnant Women and SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the pathogen responsible for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic. Because it is a new and highly contagious coronavirus, most people, especially pregnant women, lack immunity. It is therefore important to understand the interaction between why pregnant women are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and the specific immune systems of pregnant women. Here, we provide an overview of the changes that occur in the immune system during pregnancy, the activation and response of the immune system in pregnant women with COVID-19, adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with COVID-19, and the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 in this population.

Transgenerational epigenetic impacts of parental infection on offspring health and disease susceptibility

“…This is supported by the lack of IgM antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 in the cord plasma and SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the placenta of pregnant women with a recent or ongoing infection [ 116 , 117 ]. However, there are some reports of adverse foetal outcomes following maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection, including preterm birth and intrauterine growth retardation [ 114 , 118 ]. Additionally, pregnant women with a SARS-CoV-2 infection appear to be at higher risk of severe illness, since hospitalisation rates and intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates are higher in this population group [ 119 ].…”

Transmitted Fetal Immune Response in Cases of SARS-CoV-2 Infections during Pregnancy

“…During pregnancy, many physiological changes occur, which have a significant impact on the immune, respiratory, cardiovascular, and blood clotting systems. The immune system adapts during pregnancy [ 17 ] to allow the growth of a semi-allogenic fetus, resulting in a probably altered immune response to infections. Pregnancy involves two immune challenges: establishing and maintaining tolerance to the fetus and, on the other hand, maintaining the ability to protect against microorganisms.…”

Role of hormones in the pregnancy and sex‐specific outcomes to infections with respiratory viruses*

“…284 The cytokine storm characteristic of COVID-19 disease is partially produced through the broad antibody and cytokine release by activated B cells; this cascade of immune activation appears to be attenuated during pregnancy. 285,286…”

“…Correlational analysis of differentially expressed genes representing cellular activity identified diminished expression of IL‐6 and elevations in gene expression among naive B cell or memory B cell populations for IL‐1β among pregnant women compared with non‐pregnant women 284 . The cytokine storm characteristic of COVID‐19 disease is partially produced through the broad antibody and cytokine release by activated B cells; this cascade of immune activation appears to be attenuated during pregnancy 285,286 …”