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Montreal, Canada – December 3, 2024
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers from McGill University have identified a natural immune defense mechanism in the nasal cavity that is activated during pregnancy, offering enhanced protection against severe influenza infections. The study, published in Science Advances, challenges the prevailing notion that pregnancy makes individuals more susceptible to infections.
Using a mouse model, the scientists observed that during pregnancy, specific immune cells in the nasal cavity produce a potent antiviral molecule, bolstering the body’s defenses, particularly in the nose and upper airways. This natural immunity effectively blocks the Influenza A virus from spreading to the lungs, where it can cause severe complications.
“Our results are surprising because of the current dogma, but it makes sense from an evolutionary perspective,” said Dr. Maziar Divangahi, co-lead author of the study and a professor in McGill’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. “A healthy mother is crucial for the survival of her developing baby, so the immune system adapts to offer stronger protection.”
A Potential Paradigm Shift in Flu Protection
The discovery could reshape how flu prevention strategies are approached for pregnant individuals. While the Public Health Agency of Canada currently recommends flu vaccinations during pregnancy due to the higher risk of severe illness and complications, this research suggests that natural immune mechanisms may play a more significant role than previously understood.
“This natural immunity in pregnancy could change the way we think about flu protection for expectant mothers,” noted Julia Chronopoulos, the study’s first author and a recent Ph.D. graduate from McGill.
Broader Implications Beyond Pregnancy
Co-lead author Dr. James Martin highlighted the potential for broader applications of the findings. “The immune response we observed during pregnancy could be harnessed to develop new nasal vaccines or treatments that replicate this protective mechanism,” he explained. This approach may involve leveraging Interleukin-17, the molecule identified as key to the antiviral defense.
Future Directions in Viral Infection Research
The research team is now turning its attention to reducing lung damage caused by viral infections such as influenza and COVID-19. Their innovative approach focuses on preventing the immune system from overreacting, a common cause of severe complications, rather than targeting the virus directly.
A Promising Path Forward
This discovery could pave the way for new vaccines and treatments designed to enhance natural immune defenses, potentially benefiting not only pregnant individuals but the general population as well.
For more information, see the full study: Julia Chronopoulos et al., Pregnancy enhances antiviral immunity independent of type I IFN but dependent on IL-17–producing γδ + T cells in the nasal mucosa, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado7087.
