About this Research Topic
Early in life the immune system undergoes dramatic developmental changes with age that are influenced by a number of factors that include maternal factors, breastfeeding, the microbiome, pathogen exposures, vaccinations, and host genetics. Pregnancy is a specially-adapted immune state to support tolerance of the fetal allograft and to protect intrauterine fetal development. Transplacental passage of antibody and breastfeeding are examples of the complex interplay between the maternal and infant immune systems to protect health of the infant. Events occurring during critical periods in early life, in turn, have consequences for disease susceptibility in childhood and later life. Better understanding of the multi-dimensional maternal-infant interactions in host immunity to virus exposure/infection is critical for vaccine and therapeutic strategies for viral infections in pregnant individuals, neonates, infants and children.
In this research topic, we aim to bring together researchers from the pediatric and maternal-fetal medicine fields, to submit studies addressing the unique aspects of host-virus interactions in the context of pregnancy and early life, especially considering aspects related to the interactions between maternal and infant immunity.
We welcome the submission of all article types – Review, Original Research, Perspective, Commentary and Case Report – which cover, but are not limited to, the following sub-topics:
1- Mother-to-child transmission of viruses
2- Placental factors in host-virus immunity
3- Role of breastfeeding in supporting maternal and infant immunity
4- Maternal factors and immune development
5- Maternal, neonatal and infant vaccination strategies
6- Developmental changes during infancy and early childhood in viral immunity
7- Effects of the microbiome on immunity in health and viral disease
8- Consequences of maternal factors for viral detection and variation such as immune escape
9- Effects on viral immunity of intrauterine exposures
10- Effects of shared genetic factors between mothers and their offspring
11- Critical periods in early life for laying the foundations for future response to viral infections
12- Animal models addressing any of the above.
In this research topic, we aim to bring together researchers from the pediatric and maternal-fetal medicine fields, to submit studies addressing the unique aspects of host-virus interactions in the context of pregnancy and early life, especially considering aspects related to the interactions between maternal and infant immunity.
We welcome the submission of all article types – Review, Original Research, Perspective, Commentary and Case Report – which cover, but are not limited to, the following sub-topics:
1- Mother-to-child transmission of viruses
2- Placental factors in host-virus immunity
3- Role of breastfeeding in supporting maternal and infant immunity
4- Maternal factors and immune development
5- Maternal, neonatal and infant vaccination strategies
6- Developmental changes during infancy and early childhood in viral immunity
7- Effects of the microbiome on immunity in health and viral disease
8- Consequences of maternal factors for viral detection and variation such as immune escape
9- Effects on viral immunity of intrauterine exposures
10- Effects of shared genetic factors between mothers and their offspring
11- Critical periods in early life for laying the foundations for future response to viral infections
12- Animal models addressing any of the above.
Keywords: neonates, infants, children, viral infections, viral vaccines, microbiome, mother-to-child transmission, pregnancy, placenta, breastfeeding
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
