Lael M. Yonker
A5019729863- Cystic Fibrosis Research Advances
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- COVID-19 Impact on Reproduction
- Kawasaki Disease and Coronary Complications
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Neonatal Respiratory Health Research
- Reproductive System and Pregnancy
- Inflammasome and immune disorders
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Studies
- COVID-19 and healthcare impacts
- Pregnancy and Medication Impact
- Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues
- Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare
- Tracheal and airway disorders
- Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Viral Infections and Immunology Research
- Immunodeficiency and Autoimmune Disorders
- Medical Imaging and Pathology Studies
- Infection Control and Ventilation
- Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
- Optical Coherence Tomography Applications
- Parvovirus B19 Infection Studies
Massachusetts General Hospital
2016-2025
Harvard University
2015-2025
Pulmonary Associates
2019-2025
Boston Children's Hospital
2019-2024
MaineGeneral Medical Center
2018-2023
Boston University
2023
Health and Human Development (2HD) Research Network
2022
Center of Molecular Immunology (Cuba)
2020-2021
Lemuel Shattuck Hospital
2020
Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry
2018
Biological data are lacking with respect to risk of vertical transmission and mechanisms fetoplacental protection in maternal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.To quantify SARS-CoV-2 viral load neonatal biofluids, transplacental passage anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody, incidence infection.This cohort study was conducted among pregnant women presenting for care at 3 tertiary centers Boston, Massachusetts. Women reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction...
BACKGROUND. Weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection or exposure, some children develop a severe, life-threatening illness called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in (MIS-C). Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common patients with MIS-C, and severe hyperinflammatory response ensues potential for cardiac complications. The cause of MIS-C has not been identified to date.
SARS-CoV-2 infection causes more severe disease in pregnant women compared to age-matched non-pregnant women. Whether maternal changes the transfer of immunity infants remains unclear. Maternal infections have previously been associated with compromised placental antibody transfer, but mechanism underlying this is not established. Here, we used systems serology characterize Fc profile influenza-, pertussis-, and SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies transferred across placenta. Influenza-...
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a hyperinflammatory associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, shares clinical features toxic shock syndrome, which is triggered by bacterial superantigens. Superantigen specificity for different Vβ chains results skewing, whereby T cells specific and diverse antigen are overrepresented the cell receptor (TCR) repertoire. Here, we characterized TCR repertoire of MIS-C patients found profound expansion TCRβ variable gene 11-2 (TRBV11-2), up to...
Cases of adolescents and young adults developing myocarditis after vaccination with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-targeted mRNA vaccines have been reported globally, but the underlying immunoprofiles these individuals not described in detail.
ABSTRACT Background Pregnant and lactating women were excluded from initial COVID-19 vaccine trials; thus, data to guide decision-making are lacking. We sought evaluate the immunogenicity reactogenicity of mRNA vaccination in pregnant women. Methods 131 reproductive-age recipients (84 pregnant, 31 lactating, 16 non-pregnant) enrolled a prospective cohort study at two academic medical centers. Titers SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD IgG, IgA IgM quantified participant sera (N=131), umbilical cord (N=10),...
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) manifests as a severe and uncontrolled response with multiorgan involvement, occurring weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, we utilized proteomics, RNA sequencing, autoantibody arrays, B cell receptor (BCR) repertoire analysis to characterize MIS-C immunopathogenesis identify factors contributing manifestations intensive care unit admission. Inflammation markers, humoral immune responses, neutrophil activation, complement coagulation...
Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection drives sexually dimorphic placental immune responses and reduces SARS-CoV-2–specific antibody transfer to male fetuses.
Substantial immunological changes occur throughout pregnancy to render the mother immunologically tolerant fetus and allow fetal growth. However, additional local systemic adaptations also occur, allowing maternal immune system continue protect dyad against pathogens both during after birth through lactation. This fine balance of tolerance immunity, along with physiological hormonal changes, contributes increased susceptibility particular infections in pregnancy, including more severe...
The availability of three COVID-19 vaccines in the United States provides an unprecedented opportunity to examine how vaccine platforms and timing vaccination pregnancy impact maternal neonatal immunity. Here, we characterize antibody profile after Ad26.COV2.S, mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2 158 pregnant individuals evaluate transplacental transfer by profiling umbilical cord blood 175 maternal-neonatal dyads. These analyses reveal lower vaccine-induced functions Fc receptor-binding Ad26.COV2.S...
SummaryBackgroundThe goal of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators is to reach normal CFTR function in people with fibrosis. Vanzacaftor–tezacaftor–deutivacaftor restored vitro and phase 2 trials participants aged 18 years older resulting improvements function, as measured by sweat chloride concentrations lung spirometry. We aimed evaluate the efficacy safety vanzacaftor–tezacaftor–deutivacaftor compared standard care elexacaftor–tezacaftor–ivacaftor...
Abstract Background Data on pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has lagged behind adults throughout the pandemic. An understanding of severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral dynamics in children would enable data-driven public health guidance. Methods Respiratory swabs were collected from with COVID-19. Viral load was quantified by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); culture assessed direct observation cytopathic effects and semiquantitative...
Risk of severe COVID-19 increases with age, is greater in males, and associated lymphopenia, but not higher burden SARS-CoV-2. It unknown whether effects age sex on abundance specific lymphoid subsets explain these correlations.
Although children have been largely spared from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants concern (VOCs) with increased transmissibility, combined fluctuating mask mandates and school reopenings, has led to infections among children. Thus, there is an urgent need roll out COVID-19 vaccines all ages. However, whether respond equivalently adults mRNA dosing will elicit optimal immunity remain unclear. Here, we aimed deeply...
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a delayed-onset, COVID-19-related hyperinflammatory illness characterized by severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigenemia, cytokine storm, and immune dysregulation. In COVID-19, neutrophil activation central to complications, yet the role of neutrophils MIS-C undefined. Here, we collect blood from 152 children: 31 cases MIS-C, 43 pediatric 78 controls. We find that display granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cell...
Completion of a COVID-19 vaccination series during pregnancy effectively reduces hospitalization among infants less than 6 months age. The dynamics transplacental transfer maternal vaccine-induced antibodies, and their persistence in at 2, 6, 9, 12 months, have implications for new vaccine development optimal timing administration pregnancy. We evaluated anti-COVID antibody IgG subclass, Fc-receptor binding profile, activity against wild-type Spike RBD plus five variants concern (VOCs) 153...