Breast milk antibody Fc signatures track with HIV transmission during breastfeeding in ART-naïve mothers
Year: 2026
Type: dataset
Abstract: Breastfeeding shapes early life immunity but, without antiretroviral therapy (ART), poses a risk of HIV transmission. The contribution of breast milk antibodies to this risk remains unclear. Using systems serology, we profiled milk antibodies from transmitting and non-transmitting mothers in the ART naïve Zambia Exclusive Breastfeeding Study. Transmission was associated with elevated gp41-specific IgG1 and enhanced effector functions—including complement deposition and neutrophil phagocytosis—likely driven by higher milk viral loads. In contrast, non-transmitting mothers exhibited functional p24-specific antibody responses that correlated with lower milk viral loads, suggesting improved viral control. Fc glycosylation analysis showed that transmitting mothers had higher levels of digalactosylated IgG, a profile linked to increased neutrophil inflammatory cytokine release. Overall, these data indicate that milk antibodies have multifaceted roles in postnatal HIV transmission and identify immune signatures associated with increased risk or protection, providing mechanistic insights relevant for vaccine development and Fc engineered antibody-based prevention strategies.
Source: Harvard Dataverse
DOI: 10.7910/dvn/zyhqrl
Author: Juelg, Boris
Institution: Mass General Brigham
Language: English
Topic: HIV Research and Treatment
Subfield: Virology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7138099296