Development of a ferret model of maternal antibody passive transfer to suckling neonates

Abstract Neonates and infants are at increased risk of severe disease from influenza. While placentally-transferred IgG reduces the influenza in neonates, maternal antibodies (matAbs) can also impact ability to mount an immune response post immunization, referred as matAb interference. It is not fully understood how interference impacts protection against once matAbs have waned if these effects lineage-dependent. Understanding preexisting immunity may allow for development strategies overcome antibody neonatal adult vaccination. To study this, we developed a ferret model anti-influenza passive transfer suckling kits. Pregnant lactating ferrets were orally intranasally immunized 2 weeks prepartum postpartum with H1N1 hemagglutinin (HA) adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) vaccine. Serum breast milk dams serum kits assessed via ELISA. We performed regression analysis identified positive relationship between peak levels HA-specific dam kit 5–6 age (P = 0.0001, R 2= 0.47). Additionally, concentrations correlated same time point 0.0012, 0.89). Our data suggest traffic blood milk, ingested by translocate through intestine into serum. will use this role lineage-specific offspring their de novo responses Supported Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grant (INV-22595D).