Plasmodium falciparum VAR2CSA-specific IgG subclass responses reflect protection against low birth weight and pregnancy-associated malaria Tornyigah, B. d'Almeida, T. Escriou, G. Viwami, F. /Fievet, Nadine /Luty, Adrian Massougbodji, A. Nielsen, M. A. /Deloron, Philippe /Tuikue Ndam, Nicaise pregnancy malaria VAR2CSA IgG subclasses IgG3 IgG4 Sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes expressing the VAR2CSA antigen in the placenta results in poor pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight and maternal anemia. Antigen-specific antibody-mediated immunity is acquired during successive pregnancies. Thus, evaluating VAR2CSA-specific IgG profiles among pregnant women will increase knowledge on the immunological mechanisms associated with protection, and help in the development of VAR2CSA-based placental malaria vaccines. Using the PAMVAC candidate vaccine antigen, we assessed anti-VAR2CSA IgG subclass responses of a cohort of pregnant Beninese, and analyzed their relationships with pregnancy outcomes. Cytophilic IgG1 and IgG3 responses were the most frequent, with prevalences ranging from 28% (IgG3) up to 50% (IgG1). Elevated levels of VAR2CSA-specific total IgG and cytophilic IgG3 during pregnancy were consistently associated with higher birth weights, whilst high levels of IgG4 were associated with a reduced risk of placental infections. This suggests that protective anti-VAR2CSA IgG responses are coordinated between both cytophilic and non-cytophilic antibodies. 2021 text https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010081425 fdi:010081425 Tornyigah B., d'Almeida T., Escriou G., Viwami F., Fievet Nadine, Luty Adrian, Massougbodji A., Nielsen M. A., Deloron Philippe, Tuikue Ndam Nicaise. Plasmodium falciparum VAR2CSA-specific IgG subclass responses reflect protection against low birth weight and pregnancy-associated malaria. 2021, 12, 610305 [8 p.] EN