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Hoo R, Ruiz-Morales ER, Kelava I, Rawat M, Mazzeo CI, Tuck E, Sancho-Serra C, Chelaghma S, Predeus AV, Murray S, Fernandez-Antoran D, Waller RF, Álvarez-Errico D, Lee MCS, Vento-Tormo R. Acute response to pathogens in the early human placenta at single-cell resolution. Cell Syst 2024; 15:425-444.e9. [PMID: 38703772 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The placenta is a selective maternal-fetal barrier that provides nourishment and protection from infections. However, certain pathogens can attach to and even cross the placenta, causing pregnancy complications with potential lifelong impacts on the child's health. Here, we profiled at the single-cell level the placental responses to three pathogens associated with intrauterine complications-Plasmodium falciparum, Listeria monocytogenes, and Toxoplasma gondii. We found that upon exposure to the pathogens, all placental lineages trigger inflammatory responses that may compromise placental function. Additionally, we characterized the responses of fetal macrophages known as Hofbauer cells (HBCs) to each pathogen and propose that they are the probable niche for T. gondii. Finally, we revealed how P. falciparum adapts to the placental microenvironment by modulating protein export into the host erythrocyte and nutrient uptake pathways. Altogether, we have defined the cellular networks and signaling pathways mediating acute placental inflammatory responses that could contribute to pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Hoo
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Iva Kelava
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mukul Rawat
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | | | | | - Sara Chelaghma
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - David Fernandez-Antoran
- Wellcome/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ross F Waller
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Marcus C S Lee
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| | - Roser Vento-Tormo
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Shook LL, Castro VM, Herzberg EM, Fourman LT, Kaimal AJ, Perlis RH, Edlow AG. Offspring cardiometabolic outcomes and postnatal growth trajectories after exposure to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2024; 32:969-978. [PMID: 38351665 PMCID: PMC11039385 DOI: 10.1002/oby.23998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to determine whether in utero exposure to SARS-CoV-2 is associated with increased risk for a cardiometabolic diagnosis by 18 months of age. METHODS This retrospective electronic health record (EHR)-based cohort study included the live-born offspring of all individuals who delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic (April 1, 2020-December 31, 2021) at eight hospitals in Massachusetts. Offspring exposure was defined as a positive maternal SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test during pregnancy. The primary outcome was presence of an ICD-10 code for a cardiometabolic disorder in offspring EHR by 18 months. Weight-, length-, and BMI-for-age z scores were calculated and compared at 6-month intervals from birth to 18 months. RESULTS A total of 29,510 offspring (1599 exposed and 27,911 unexposed) were included. By 18 months, 6.7% of exposed and 4.4% of unexposed offspring had received a cardiometabolic diagnosis (crude odds ratio [OR] 1.47 [95% CI: 1.10 to 1.94], p = 0.007; adjusted OR 1.38 [1.06 to 1.77], p = 0.01). Exposed offspring had a significantly greater mean BMI-for-age z score versus unexposed offspring at 6 months (z score difference 0.19 [95% CI: 0.10 to 0.29], p < 0.001; adjusted difference 0.04 [-0.06 to 0.13], p = 0.4). CONCLUSIONS Exposure to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with an increased risk of receiving a cardiometabolic diagnosis by 18 months preceded by greater BMI-for-age at 6 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia L. Shook
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Victor M. Castro
- Center for Quantitative Health and Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Research Information Science and Computing, Mass General Brigham, Somerville, MA
| | - Emily M. Herzberg
- Division of Neonatology and Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
| | - Lindsay T. Fourman
- Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Anjali J. Kaimal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL
| | - Roy H. Perlis
- Center for Quantitative Health and Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Andrea G. Edlow
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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3
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Zeng X, Fan L, Li M, Qin Q, Pang X, Shi S, Zheng D, Jiang Y, Wang H, Wu L, Liang S. Resveratrol regulates Thoc5 to improve maternal immune activation-induced autism-like behaviors in adult mouse offspring. J Nutr Biochem 2024; 129:109638. [PMID: 38583499 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2024.109638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Maternal infection during pregnancy is an important cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring, and inflammatory infiltration caused by maternal immune activation (MIA) can cause neurodevelopmental disorders in the fetus. Medicine food homologous (MFH) refers to a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) concept, which effectively combines food functions and medicinal effects. However, no previous study has screened, predicted, and validated the potential targets of MFH herbs for treating ASD. Therefore, in this study, we used comprehensive bioinformatics methods to screen and analyze MFH herbs and drug targets on a large scale, and identified resveratrol and Thoc5 as the best small molecular ingredient and drug target, respectively, for the treatment of MIA-induced ASD. Additionally, the results of in vitro experiments revealed that resveratrol increased the expression of Thoc5 and effectively inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory factor production by BV2 cells. Moreover, in vivo, resveratrol increased the expression of Thoc5 and effectively inhibited placental and fetal brain inflammation in MIA pregnancy mice, and improved ASD-like behaviors in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zeng
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Linlin Fan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Mengyue Li
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Qian Qin
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Xiuming Pang
- Outpatient Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Shanyi Shi
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Danyang Zheng
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yutong Jiang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Lijie Wu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
| | - Shuang Liang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
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Wardhana MP, Kuntaman K, Utomo B, Aryananda RA, Rifdah SN, Wafa IA, Shahnaz AA, Ningrum D, Cininta NI, Ariani G, Van Lith JM, Dachlan EG. Evidence of Placental Villous Inflammation and Apoptosis in Third-Trimester Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Maternal Infection. Yonsei Med J 2024; 65:202-209. [PMID: 38515357 PMCID: PMC10973560 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2023.0309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE In view of conflicting reports on the ability of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) to infect placental tissue, this study aimed to further evaluate the impact of inflammation and placental damage from symptomatic third-trimester maternal COVID-19 infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS This case-control study included 32 placenta samples each from symptomatic COVID-19 pregnancy and normal non-COVID-19 pregnancy. The villous placental area's inflammatory expression [angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2), transmembrane protease serine-2 (TMPRSS2), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein] and apoptotic rate were examined using immunohistochemistry and Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) assay. Comparison and correlation analysis were used based on COVID-19 infection, placental SARS-CoV-2 spike protein evidence, and maternal severity status. RESULTS Higher expressions of TMPRSS2, IFN-γ, and trophoblast apoptotic rate were observed in the COVID-19 group (p<0.001), whereas ACE-2 and IL-6 expressions were not significantly different from the control group (p>0.05). Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was detected in 8 (25%) placental samples of COVID-19 pregnancy. COVID-19 subgroup analysis revealed increased IFN-γ, trophoblast, and stromal apoptosis (p<0.01). Moreover, the results of the current study revealed no correlation between maternal COVID-19 severity and placental inflammation as well as the apoptotic process. CONCLUSION The presence of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as well as altered inflammatory and apoptotic processes may indicate the presence of placental disturbance in third-trimester maternal COVID-19 infection. The lack of correlation between placental disruption and maternal severity status suggests the need for more research to understand the infection process and any potential long-term impacts on all offsprings born to COVID-19-infected pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manggala Pasca Wardhana
- Doctoral Program of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Dr. Soetomo Academic General Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Kuntaman Kuntaman
- Doctoral Program of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Budi Utomo
- Doctoral Program of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Rozi Aditya Aryananda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Dr. Soetomo Academic General Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | | | - Ifan Ali Wafa
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Almira Aulia Shahnaz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Dr. Soetomo Academic General Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Dahlia Ningrum
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Dr. Soetomo Academic General Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Nareswari Imanadha Cininta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Dr. Soetomo Academic General Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Grace Ariani
- Anatomical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Dr. Soetomo Academic General Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Jan Mm Van Lith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Dr. Soetomo Academic General Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Erry Gumilar Dachlan
- Doctoral Program of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Dr. Soetomo Academic General Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia.
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5
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Merriel A, Fitzgerald B, O'Donoghue K. SARS-CoV-2-Placental effects and association with stillbirth. BJOG 2024; 131:385-400. [PMID: 37984971 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has had a significant impact on pregnancy outcomes due to the effects of the virus and the altered healthcare environment. Stillbirth has been relatively hidden during the COVID-19 pandemic, but a clear link between SARS-CoV-2 and poor fetal outcome emerged in the Alpha and Delta waves. A small minority of women/birthing people who contracted COVID-19 developed SARS-CoV-2 placentitis. In many reported cases this was linked to intrauterine fetal death, although there are cases of delivery just before imminent fetal demise and we shall discuss how some cases are sub-clinical. What is surprising, is that SARS-CoV-2 placentitis is often not associated with severe maternal COVID-19 infection and this makes it difficult to predict. The worst outcomes seem to be with diffuse placental disease which occurs within 21 days of COVID-19 diagnosis. Poor outcomes are often pre-dated by reduced fetal movements but are not associated with ultrasound changes. In some cases, there has also been maternal thrombocytopenia, or coagulation abnormalities, which may provide a clue as to which pregnancies are at risk of fetal demise if a further variant of concern is to emerge. In future, multidisciplinary collaboration and cross-boundary working must be prioritised, to identify quickly such a phenomenon and provide clinicians with clear guidance for reducing fetal death and associated poor outcomes. While we wait to see if COVID-19 brings a future variant of concern, we must focus on appropriate future management of women who have had SARS-CoV-2 placentitis. As a placental condition with an infectious aetiology, SARS-CoV-placentitis is unlikely to recur in a subsequent pregnancy and thus a measured approach to subsequent pregnancy management is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abi Merriel
- Centre for Women's Health Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Liverpool Women's Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Keelin O'Donoghue
- Pregnancy Loss Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland
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6
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Vacharasin JM, Ward JA, McCord MM, Cox K, Imitola J, Lizarraga SB. Neuroimmune mechanisms in autism etiology - untangling a complex problem using human cellular models. OXFORD OPEN NEUROSCIENCE 2024; 3:kvae003. [PMID: 38665176 PMCID: PMC11044813 DOI: 10.1093/oons/kvae003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects 1 in 36 people and is more often diagnosed in males than in females. Core features of ASD are impaired social interactions, repetitive behaviors and deficits in verbal communication. ASD is a highly heterogeneous and heritable disorder, yet its underlying genetic causes account only for up to 80% of the cases. Hence, a subset of ASD cases could be influenced by environmental risk factors. Maternal immune activation (MIA) is a response to inflammation during pregnancy, which can lead to increased inflammatory signals to the fetus. Inflammatory signals can cross the placenta and blood brain barriers affecting fetal brain development. Epidemiological and animal studies suggest that MIA could contribute to ASD etiology. However, human mechanistic studies have been hindered by a lack of experimental systems that could replicate the impact of MIA during fetal development. Therefore, mechanisms altered by inflammation during human pre-natal brain development, and that could underlie ASD pathogenesis have been largely understudied. The advent of human cellular models with induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) and organoid technology is closing this gap in knowledge by providing both access to molecular manipulations and culturing capability of tissue that would be otherwise inaccessible. We present an overview of multiple levels of evidence from clinical, epidemiological, and cellular studies that provide a potential link between higher ASD risk and inflammation. More importantly, we discuss how stem cell-derived models may constitute an ideal experimental system to mechanistically interrogate the effect of inflammation during the early stages of brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janay M Vacharasin
- Department of Biological Sciences, and Center for Childhood Neurotherapeutics, Univ. of South Carolina, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Francis Marion University, 4822 East Palmetto Street, Florence, S.C. 29506, USA
| | - Joseph A Ward
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, & Biochemistry, Brown University, 185 Meeting Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA
- Center for Translational Neuroscience, Carney Institute of Brain Science, Brown University, 70 Ship Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Mikayla M McCord
- Department of Biological Sciences, and Center for Childhood Neurotherapeutics, Univ. of South Carolina, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Kaitlin Cox
- Department of Biological Sciences, and Center for Childhood Neurotherapeutics, Univ. of South Carolina, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Jaime Imitola
- Laboratory of Neural Stem Cells and Functional Neurogenetics, UConn Health, Departments of Neuroscience, Neurology, Genetics and Genome Sciences, UConn Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-5357, USA
| | - Sofia B Lizarraga
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, & Biochemistry, Brown University, 185 Meeting Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA
- Center for Translational Neuroscience, Carney Institute of Brain Science, Brown University, 70 Ship Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA
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7
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Popescu DE, Roșca I, Jura AMC, Cioca A, Pop O, Lungu N, Popa ZL, Rațiu A, Boia M. Prompt Placental Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Assessment after SARS-CoV-2 Infection during Pregnancy-Our Perspective of a Small Group. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1836. [PMID: 38339114 PMCID: PMC10855253 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Research indicates compelling evidence of SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission as a result of placental pathology. This study offers an approach to histopathological and immunohistochemical placental observations from SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers compared to negative ones. Out of the 44 examined placentas, 24 were collected from patients with a SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and 20 were collected from patients without infection. The disease group showed strong SARS-CoV-2 positivity of the membranes, trophoblasts, and fetal villous macrophages. Most infections occurred during the third trimester of pregnancy (66.6%). Pathology revealed areas consistent with avascular villi (AV) and thrombi in the chorionic vessels and umbilical cord in the positive group, suggesting fetal vascular malperfusion (FVM). This study shows SARS-CoV-2 has an impact on coagulation, demonstrated by fetal thrombotic vasculopathy (p = 0.01) and fibrin deposition (p = 0.01). Other observed features included infarction (17%), perivillous fibrin deposition (29%), intervillous fibrin (25%), delayed placental maturation (8.3%), chorangiosis (13%), chorioamnionitis (8.3%), and meconium (21%). The negative control group revealed only one case of placental infarction (5%), intervillous fibrin (5%), delayed placental maturation (5%), and chorioamnionitis (5%) and two cases of meconium (19%). Our study sheds light on the changes and differences that occurred in placentas from SARS-CoV-2-infected mothers and the control group. Further research is necessary to definitively establish whether SARS-CoV-2 is the primary culprit behind these intricate complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Eugenia Popescu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
- Department of Neonatology, Premiere Hospital, Regina Maria Health Network, Calea Aradului, No. 113, 300645 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Ioana Roșca
- Faculty of Midwifery and Nursery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ana Maria Cristina Jura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Andreea Cioca
- Department of Pathology, Premiere Hospital, Regina Maria Health Network, Calea Aradului, No. 113, 300645 Timişoara, Romania;
| | - Ovidiu Pop
- Department of Morphological Sciences, University of Oradea, Universității Street, No. 1, 410087 Oradea, Romania
| | - Nicoleta Lungu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Zoran-Laurențiu Popa
- Department XII Obstetrics and Gynecology—Obstetrics and Gynecology III, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Adrian Rațiu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Mărioara Boia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
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8
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Enninga EAL, Quach HQ, Jang JS, de Araujo Correia MCM, Fedyshyn Y, Fedyshyn B, Lemens M, Littlefield D, Behl S, Sintim-Aboagye E, Mejia Plazas MC, Cardenas MC, Chakraborty S, Yamaoka S, Ebihara H, Pandey A, Li H, Badley AD, Johnson EL, Sun J, Norgan AP, Theiler RN, Chakraborty R. Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy disrupts gene expression in Hofbauer cells with limited impact on cytotrophoblasts. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011990. [PMID: 38324589 PMCID: PMC10878512 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hofbauer cells (HBCs) and cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) are major cell populations in placenta. The indirect impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 disease on these cells that are not directly infected has not been extensively studied. Herein, we profiled gene expression in HBCs and CTBs isolated from placentae of recovered pregnant subjects infected with SARS-CoV-2 during all trimesters of pregnancy, placentae from subjects with active infection, SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated subjects, and those who were unexposed to the virus. METHODS Placentae were collected within 4 h post-delivery and membrane-free tissues were enzymatically digested for the isolation of HBCs and CTBs. RNA extracted from HBCs and CTBs were sequenced using 150bp paired-end reads. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by DESeq2 package in R and enriched in GO Biological Processes, KEGG Pathway, Reactome Gene Sets, Hallmark Gene Sets, and Canonical Pathways. Protein-protein interactions among the DEGs were modelled using STRING and BioGrid. RESULTS Pregnant subjects (n = 30) were recruited and categorized into six groups: infected with SARS-CoV-2 in i) the first (1T, n = 4), ii) second (2T, n = 5), iii) third (3T, n = 5) trimester, iv) tested positive at delivery (Delivery, n = 5), v) never infected (Control, n = 6), and vi) fully mRNA-vaccinated by delivery (Vaccinated, n = 5). Compared to the Control group, gene expression analysis showed that HBCs from infected subjects had significantly altered gene expression profiles, with the 2T group having the highest number of DEGs (1,696), followed by 3T and 1T groups (1,656 and 958 DEGs, respectively). These DEGs were enriched for pathways involved in immune regulation for host defense, including production of cytokines, chemokines, antimicrobial proteins, ribosomal assembly, neutrophil degranulation inflammation, morphogenesis, and cell migration/adhesion. Protein-protein interaction analysis mapped these DEGs with oxidative phosphorylation, translation, extracellular matrix organization, and type I interferon signaling. Only 95, 23, and 8 DEGs were identified in CTBs of 1T, 2T, and 3T groups, respectively. Similarly, 11 and 3 DEGs were identified in CTBs and HBCs of vaccinated subjects, respectively. Reassuringly, mRNA vaccination did not induce an inflammatory response in placental cells. CONCLUSIONS Our studies demonstrate a significant impact of indirect SARS-CoV-2 infection on gene expression of inner mesenchymal HBCs, with limited effect on lining CTB cells isolated from pregnant subjects infected and recovered from SARS-CoV-2. The pathways associated with these DEGs identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Ann L. Enninga
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Huy Quang Quach
- Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Jin Sung Jang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | | | - Yaroslav Fedyshyn
- Children Research Center, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Bohdana Fedyshyn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Maureen Lemens
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Dawn Littlefield
- Children Research Center, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Supriya Behl
- Children Research Center, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Elise Sintim-Aboagye
- Children Research Center, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Maria C. Mejia Plazas
- Children Research Center, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Maria C. Cardenas
- Children Research Center, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Shree Chakraborty
- Children Research Center, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Satoko Yamaoka
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Hideki Ebihara
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Akhilesh Pandey
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Division of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
- Center for Molecular Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Hu Li
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Andrew D. Badley
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Erica L. Johnson
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jie Sun
- Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
- Carter Immunology Center University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Andrew P. Norgan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Regan N. Theiler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Rana Chakraborty
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
- Children Research Center, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
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9
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Man OM, Azamor T, Cambou MC, Fuller TL, Kerin T, Paiola SG, Cranston JS, Mok T, Rao R, Chen W, Jung JU, Martinez VF, Foo SS, Nielsen-Saines K. Respiratory distress in SARS-CoV-2 exposed uninfected neonates followed in the COVID Outcomes in Mother-Infant Pairs (COMP) Study. Nat Commun 2024; 15:399. [PMID: 38267411 PMCID: PMC10808093 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44549-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Respiratory distress (RD) has been reported in SARS-CoV-2 exposed uninfected (SEU) term neonates. Prior studies suggest that prenatal exposure to Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) may activate an inflammatory cascade in the newborn airway. In this study, we examine the relationship between maternal COVID-19 vaccination and neonatal RD using a longitudinal cohort of mother-infant pairs in Los Angeles, CA. Two-hundred and twenty-one mothers with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy and 227 exposed fetuses are enrolled in our study. Maternal disease severity and neonatal RD variables were defined based on current accepted clinical criteria. To explore the multifactorial associations between maternal COVID-19 parameters and infant RD, we utilize a multivariable logistic regression model and a proteomic sub-analysis to propose a pathway for the development of RD following in utero exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Unusually high rates of RD are observed in SEU infants (17%). The odds ratio of RD is 3.06 (95% CI:1.08-10.21) in term neonates born to unvaccinated individuals versus those born to individuals vaccinated prior to maternal infection. Proteomic analysis reveals a robust inflammatory response associated with ciliary dysregulation and enhanced IgE production among SEU neonates with RD. Maternal vaccination against COVID-19 reduces the frequency of neonatal RD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia M Man
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Tamiris Azamor
- Department of Cancer Biology, Infection Biology Program, Global Center for Pathogen Research and Human Health, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Mary Catherine Cambou
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Trevon L Fuller
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Tara Kerin
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Sophia G Paiola
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jessica S Cranston
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Thalia Mok
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Rashmi Rao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Weiqiang Chen
- Department of Cancer Biology, Infection Biology Program, Global Center for Pathogen Research and Human Health, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Jae U Jung
- Department of Cancer Biology, Infection Biology Program, Global Center for Pathogen Research and Human Health, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Viviana Fajardo Martinez
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Suan-Sin Foo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Infection Biology Program, Global Center for Pathogen Research and Human Health, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Karin Nielsen-Saines
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
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10
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Gostomczyk K, Borowczak J, Siekielska-Domanowska M, Szczerbowski K, Maniewski M, Dubiel M, Szylberg Ł, Bodnar M. Mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 Placental Transmission. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2024; 72:aite-2024-0001. [PMID: 38299561 DOI: 10.2478/aite-2024-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
The widespread occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infections and the diverse range of symptoms have placed significant strain on healthcare systems worldwide. Pregnancy has also been affected by COVID-19, with an increased risk of complications and unfavorable outcomes for expectant mothers. Multiple studies indicate that SARS-CoV-2 can infiltrate the placenta, breach its protective barrier, and infect the fetus. Although the precise mechanisms of intrauterine transmission remain unclear, factors such as perinatal infection, macrophages, sexual intercourse, and the virus' interaction with host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) proteins appear to play a role in this process. The integrity of the placental barrier fluctuates throughout pregnancy and appears to influence the likelihood of fetal transmission. The expression of placental cell receptors, like ACE2, changes during pregnancy and in response to placental damage. However, due to the consistent presence of others, such as NRP-1, SARS-CoV-2 may potentially enter the fetus at different stages of pregnancy. NRP-1 is also found in macrophages, implicating maternal macrophages and Hofbauer cells as potential routes for viral transmission. Our current understanding of SARS-CoV-2's vertical transmission pathways remains limited. Some researchers question the ACE2-associated transmission model due to the relatively low expression of ACE2 in the placenta. Existing studies investigating perinatal transmission and the impact of sexual intercourse have either involved small sample sizes or lacked statistical significance. This review aims to explore the current state of knowledge regarding the potential mechanisms of COVID-19 vertical transmission, identifying areas where further research is needed to fill the gaps in our understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Gostomczyk
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Oncology, Chair of Pathomorphology and Clinical Placentology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
- Department of Tumor Pathology and Pathomorphology, Oncology Centre - Prof. Franciszek Łukaszczyk Memorial Hospital, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Jędrzej Borowczak
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Oncology, Chair of Pathomorphology and Clinical Placentology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
| | - Marta Siekielska-Domanowska
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Oncology, Chair of Pathomorphology and Clinical Placentology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Szczerbowski
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Oncology, Chair of Pathomorphology and Clinical Placentology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
| | - Mateusz Maniewski
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Oncology, Chair of Pathomorphology and Clinical Placentology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
| | - Mariusz Dubiel
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Oncology, Chair of Pathomorphology and Clinical Placentology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
| | - Łukasz Szylberg
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Oncology, Chair of Pathomorphology and Clinical Placentology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
- Department of Tumor Pathology and Pathomorphology, Oncology Centre - Prof. Franciszek Łukaszczyk Memorial Hospital, Bydgoszcz, Poland
- Chair of Pathology, Dr. Jan Biziel Memorial University Hospital No. 2, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Magdalena Bodnar
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Oncology, Chair of Pathomorphology and Clinical Placentology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
- Chair of Pathology, Dr. Jan Biziel Memorial University Hospital No. 2, Bydgoszcz, Poland
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11
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Shah NM, Charani E, Ming D, Cheah FC, Johnson MR. Antimicrobial stewardship and targeted therapies in the changing landscape of maternal sepsis. JOURNAL OF INTENSIVE MEDICINE 2024; 4:46-61. [PMID: 38263965 PMCID: PMC10800776 DOI: 10.1016/j.jointm.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Pregnant and postnatal women are a high-risk population particularly prone to rapid progression to sepsis with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Moreover, severe maternal infections can have a serious detrimental impact on neonates with almost 1 million neonatal deaths annually attributed to maternal infection or sepsis. In this review we discuss the susceptibility of pregnant women and their specific physiological and immunological adaptations that contribute to their vulnerability to sepsis, the implications for the neonate, as well as the issues with antimicrobial stewardship and the challenges this poses when attempting to reach a balance between clinical care and urgent treatment. Finally, we review advancements in the development of pregnancy-specific diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and how these can be used to optimize the care of pregnant women and neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishel M Shah
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK
| | - Esmita Charani
- Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Damien Ming
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK
| | - Fook-Choe Cheah
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mark R Johnson
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK
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12
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Shook LL, Batorsky RA, De Guzman RM, McCrea LT, Brigida SM, Horng JE, Sheridan SD, Kholod O, Cook AM, Li JZ, Goods BA, Perlis RH, Edlow AG. Maternal SARS-CoV-2 impacts fetal placental macrophage programs and placenta-derived microglial models of neurodevelopment. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.12.29.23300544. [PMID: 38234776 PMCID: PMC10793528 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.29.23300544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus activates maternal and placental immune responses, which in the setting of other infections occurring during pregnancy are known to impact fetal brain development. The effects of maternal immune activation on neurodevelopment are mediated at least in part by fetal brain microglia. However, microglia are inaccessible for direct analysis, and there are no validated non-invasive surrogate models to evaluate in utero microglial priming and function. We have previously demonstrated shared transcriptional programs between microglia and Hofbauer cells (HBCs, or fetal placental macrophages) in mouse models. Here, we assessed the impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 on HBCs isolated from term placentas using single-cell RNA-sequencing. We demonstrated that HBC subpopulations exhibit distinct cellular programs, with specific subpopulations differentially impacted by SARS-CoV-2. Assessment of differentially expressed genes implied impaired phagocytosis, a key function of both HBCs and microglia, in some subclusters. Leveraging previously validated models of microglial synaptic pruning, we showed that HBCs isolated from placentas of SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnancies can be transdifferentiated into microglia-like cells, with altered morphology and impaired synaptic pruning behavior compared to HBC models from negative controls. These findings suggest that HBCs isolated at birth can be used to create personalized cellular models of offspring microglial programming.
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13
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Jo S, Alejandro EU. RISING STARS: Mechanistic insights into maternal-fetal cross talk and islet beta-cell development. J Endocrinol 2023; 259:e230069. [PMID: 37855321 PMCID: PMC10692651 DOI: 10.1530/joe-23-0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The metabolic health trajectory of an individual is shaped as early as prepregnancy, during pregnancy, and lactation period. Both maternal nutrition and metabolic health status are critical factors in the programming of offspring toward an increased propensity to developing type 2 diabetes in adulthood. Pancreatic beta-cells, part of the endocrine islets, which are nutrient-sensitive tissues important for glucose metabolism, are primed early in life (the first 1000 days in humans) with limited plasticity later in life. This suggests the high importance of the developmental window of programming in utero and early in life. This review will focus on how changes to the maternal milieu increase offspring's susceptibility to diabetes through changes in pancreatic beta-cell mass and function and discuss potential mechanisms by which placental-driven nutrient availability, hormones, exosomes, and immune alterations that may impact beta-cell development in utero, thereby affecting susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokwon Jo
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Emilyn U Alejandro
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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14
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Magawa S, Nii M, Enomoto N, Tamaishi Y, Takakura S, Maki S, Ishida M, Osato K, Kondo E, Sakuma H, Ikeda T. COVID-19 during pregnancy could potentially affect placental function. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2023; 36:2265021. [PMID: 37806776 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2265021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE COVID-19 is an ongoing pandemic and has been extensively studied. However, the effects of COVID-19 during pregnancy, particularly on placental function, have not been verified. In this study, we used blood oxygen level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-MRI) to evaluate whether COVID-19 incidence during pregnancy has any lasting effects with respect to placental oxygenation. METHODS This is a case-control study, in which eight cases of singleton pregnancies before 30 weeks gestation with COVID-19 mothers were included. Placental oxygenation was evaluated using BOLD-MRI after 32 weeks of gestation. BOLD-MRI was consecutively performed under normoxia (21% O2), hyperoxia (100% O2), and normoxia for 4 min each. Individual placental time-activity curves were evaluated to calculate the peak score (peakΔR2*) and the time from the start of maternal oxygen administration to the time of peakΔR2* (time to peakΔR2*). Eighteen COVID-19-free normal pregnancies from a previous study were used as the control group. RESULTS No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding maternal background, number of days of delivery, birth weight, and placental weight. The parameter peakΔR2* was significantly decreased in the COVID-19 group (8 ± 3 vs. 5 ± 1, p < .001); however, there was no significant difference in time to peakΔR2* (458 ± 74 s vs. 471 ± 33 s, p = .644). CONCLUSIONS In this study, BOLD-MRI was used to evaluate placental oxygenation during pregnancy in COVID-19-affected patients. COVID-19 during pregnancy decreased placental oxygenation even post-illness, but had no effect on fetal growth; further investigation of the possible effects of COVID-19 on the fetus and mother is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoichi Magawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University Faculty of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Masafumi Nii
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University Faculty of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Naosuke Enomoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University Faculty of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Yuya Tamaishi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University Faculty of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Sho Takakura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University Faculty of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Shintaro Maki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University Faculty of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Masaki Ishida
- Department of Radiology, Mie University Faculty of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Osato
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie Prefectural General Medical Center, Yokkaichi, Japan
| | - Eiji Kondo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University Faculty of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Hajime Sakuma
- Department of Radiology, Mie University Faculty of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Ikeda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University Faculty of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
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15
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Turdybekova YG, Kopobayeva IL, Kamyshanskiy YK, Turmukhambetova AA. Comparative clinical and placental pathologic characteristics in pregnancies with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection. J Perinat Med 2023; 51:1179-1188. [PMID: 37475693 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2022-0371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare the clinical and morphological characteristics of the "mother-placenta-fetus" system in high risk pregnant women of three groups: no SARS-CoV-2 infection, mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS A case-control study was performed for all deliveries, at 28 weeks' gestation or greater, who had standard indications for placental pathologic examination. Three groups were formed: (1) control group (no SARS-CoV-2 infection), (2) mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, (3) severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. High-risk pregnancies were registered in all cases in the study groups. The examination of the placenta and the selection of fragments of placental tissue were carried out in accordance with the consensus recommendations of the Amsterdam Placental Workshop Group. The sections were subjected to standard processing and stained with hematoxylin and eosin according to the standard protocol. All cases were reviewed by two pathologists, which did not know any information on pregnancy outcome and clinical data. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Women with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection had an increased rate of multimorbidity including diabetes, chronic hypertension and obesity (p<0.01) compared with the other groups. Placentas at severe COVID-19 course were damaged by both chronic and acute injuries, in comparison to the mild and control groups (p<0.001). Also an important finding in severe COVID-19 was diffuse necrosis of the villous trophoblast - homogenization, diffuse circular eosinophilic masses surrounding the chorionic villi. CONCLUSIONS Women with multimorbidity are an "at-risk" subgroup for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and greater likelihood of both placental damage and perinatal hypoxic-ischemic events. These results suggest that patient education, SARS-CoV-2 disease monitoring and preventive measures would be of benefit to this group.
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16
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Creisher PS, Perry JL, Zhong W, Lei J, Mulka KR, Ryan WH, Zhou R, Akin EH, Liu A, Mitzner W, Burd I, Pekosz A, Klein SL. Adverse outcomes in SARS-CoV-2-infected pregnant mice are gestational age-dependent and resolve with antiviral treatment. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e170687. [PMID: 37581940 PMCID: PMC10575736 DOI: 10.1172/jci170687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy is associated with severe COVID-19 and adverse fetal outcomes, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Moreover, clinical studies assessing therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy are limited. To address these gaps, we developed a mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. Outbred CD1 mice were infected at E6, E10, or E16 with a mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 (maSCV2) virus. Outcomes were gestational age-dependent, with greater morbidity, reduced antiviral immunity, greater viral titers, and impaired fetal growth and neurodevelopment occurring with infection at E16 (third trimester equivalent) than with infection at either E6 (first trimester equivalent) or E10 (second trimester equivalent). To assess the efficacy of ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir, which is recommended for individuals who are pregnant with COVID-19, we treated E16-infected dams with mouse-equivalent doses of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. Treatment reduced pulmonary viral titers, decreased maternal morbidity, and prevented offspring growth restriction and neurodevelopmental impairments. Our results highlight that severe COVID-19 during pregnancy and fetal growth restriction is associated with heightened virus replication in maternal lungs. Ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir mitigated maternal morbidity along with fetal growth and neurodevelopment restriction after SARS-CoV-2 infection. These findings prompt the need for further consideration of pregnancy in preclinical and clinical studies of therapeutics against viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick S. Creisher
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jamie L. Perry
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Weizhi Zhong
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jun Lei
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kathleen R. Mulka
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - W. Hurley Ryan
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ruifeng Zhou
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Elgin H. Akin
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Anguo Liu
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Wayne Mitzner
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Irina Burd
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrew Pekosz
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sabra L. Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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17
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Naidoo N, Abel T, Moodley J, Naicker T. Immunoexpression of neuropilin-1 in the chorionic villi of HIV-infected preeclamptic South African women of African ancestry. Histochem Cell Biol 2023; 160:307-319. [PMID: 37302087 PMCID: PMC10257896 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-023-02213-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is an essential regulator of maternal immune tolerance, placentation, and angiogenesis. Its dysregulation in preeclampsia (PE) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection implicates NRP-1 in disease susceptibility and progression. Therefore, this study investigates placental NRP-1 immunoexpression in HIV-complicated preeclamptic pregnancies in South African women of African ancestry receiving antiretroviral therapy. Immunohistochemistry of recombinant anti-neuropilin-1 antibody was performed on placental tissue from 30 normotensive and 60 early onset (EOPE) and late-onset (LOPE) preeclamptic women stratified by HIV status. Qualitative analysis of NRP-1 immunostaining within the chorionic villi revealed a predominant localization in trophoblasts and syncytial knots as well as endothelial, fibroblast-like, and Hofbauer cells. Following morphometric evaluation, we report that PE and HIV infection and/or antiretroviral usage independently downregulate placental NRP-1 immunoexpression; however, as a comorbidity, this decline is further augmented within the conducting and exchange villi. Furthermore, reduced immunoexpression of NRP-1 in EOPE compared with LOPE villi may be due to maternal-fetal maladaptation. It is plausible that the decreased NRP-1 immunoexpression in PE placentae facilitates syncytiotrophoblast apoptosis and subsequent deportation of NRP-1 into the maternal circulation, contributing to the anti-angiogenic milieu of PE. We hypothesize that the intense NRP-1 immunoreactivity observed in Hofbauer cells at the maternal-fetal interface may contribute to the natural prevention mechanism of HIV vertical transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitalia Naidoo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Clinical Medicine, Women's Health and HIV Research Group, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa.
| | - Tashlen Abel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Clinical Medicine, Women's Health and HIV Research Group, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa
| | - Jagidesa Moodley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Clinical Medicine, Women's Health and HIV Research Group, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa
| | - Thajasvarie Naicker
- Optics & Imaging Centre, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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18
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Ockene MW, Russo SC, Lee H, Monthé-Drèze C, Stanley TL, Ma IL, Toribio M, Shook LL, Grinspoon SK, Edlow AG, Fourman LT. Accelerated Longitudinal Weight Gain Among Infants With In Utero COVID-19 Exposure. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:2579-2588. [PMID: 36988326 PMCID: PMC10505544 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Since the initial outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel population of children with in utero exposure to maternal infection has emerged whose health outcomes are largely unknown. OBJECTIVE To compare longitudinal growth trajectories among infants with vs without in utero COVID-19 exposure. METHODS We conducted a longitudinal cohort study leveraging a prospectively enrolled perinatal biorepository among 149 infants with in utero COVID-19 exposure and 127 unexposed controls. Weight, length, and body mass index (BMI) were abstracted from health records at 0, 2, 6, and 12 months and standardized using World Health Organization growth charts. Analyses were adjusted for maternal age, ethnicity, parity, insurance, and BMI as well as infant sex, birthdate, and breastfeeding. RESULTS Infants with in utero COVID-19 exposure vs controls exhibited differential trajectories of weight and BMI, but not length, z-score over the first year of life (study group × time interaction, P < .0001 for weight and BMI). Infants born to mothers with prenatal COVID-19 had lower BMI z-score at birth (effect size: -0.35, 95% CI -0.66 to -0.03) and greater gain in BMI z-score from birth to 12 months (effect size: 0.53, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.99). Birth weight z-score mediated a significant proportion of the relationship between COVID-19 exposure and postnatal growth (estimate ± SE, 32 ± 14%, P = .02). CONCLUSION Infants with in utero COVID-19 exposure exhibited lower birth weight and accelerated weight gain in the first year of life, which may be harbingers of downstream cardiometabolic pathology. Further studies are needed to delineate cardiometabolic sequelae among this emerging global population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mollie W Ockene
- Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Samuel C Russo
- Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Hang Lee
- Biostatistics Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Carmen Monthé-Drèze
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Takara L Stanley
- Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ingrid L Ma
- Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Mabel Toribio
- Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Lydia L Shook
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Steven K Grinspoon
- Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Andrea G Edlow
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Lindsay T Fourman
- Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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19
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Medel-Martinez A, Paules C, Peran M, Calvo P, Ruiz-Martinez S, Ormazabal Cundin M, Cebollada-Solanas A, Strunk M, Schoorlemmer J, Oros D, Fabre M. Placental Infection Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Wildtype Variant and Variants of Concern. Viruses 2023; 15:1918. [PMID: 37766324 PMCID: PMC10536606 DOI: 10.3390/v15091918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The original SARS-CoV-2 lineages have been replaced by successive variants of concern (VOCs) over time. The aim of this study was to perform an assessment of the placental infection by SARS-CoV-2 according to the predominant variant at the moment of COVID-19 diagnosis. This was a prospective study of SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant women between March 2020 and March 2022. The population was divided into pregnancies affected by COVID-19 disease during 2020 (Pre-VOC group) and pregnancies affected after December 2020 by SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC group). The presence of virus was assessed by RT-PCR, and the viral variant was determined by whole genome sequencing. A total of 104 placentas were examined, among which 54 cases belonged to the Pre-VOC group and 50 cases belonged to the VOC group. Sixteen positive placental RT-PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 were reported. The NGS analysis confirmed the SARS-CoV-2 lineage in placenta tissue. All samples corresponded to the Pre-VOC group, whereas no placental presence of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in the VOC group (16, 29.6% vs. 0, 0.0% p = 0.000). Preterm birth (9, 16.7% vs. 2, 4%; p = 0.036) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (14, 25.9% vs. 3, 6%; p = 0.003) were more frequent in the Pre-VOC group than in the VOC group. Finally, the VOC group was composed of 23 unvaccinated and 27 vaccinated pregnant women; no differences were observed in the sub-analysis focused on vaccination status. In summary, SARS-CoV-2-positive placentas were observed only in pregnancies infected by SARS-CoV-2 wildtype. Thus, placental SARS-CoV-2 presence could be influenced by SARS-CoV-2 variants, infection timing, or vaccination status. According to our data, the current risk of SARS-CoV-2 placental infection after maternal COVID disease during pregnancy should be updated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Medel-Martinez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitario de Aragón (IIS Aragon), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (A.M.-M.); (C.P.); (M.P.); (P.C.); (S.R.-M.); (D.O.); (M.F.)
- Placental Pathophysiology & Fetal Programming Research Group, B46_20R & GIIS-028 del IISA, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Cristina Paules
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitario de Aragón (IIS Aragon), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (A.M.-M.); (C.P.); (M.P.); (P.C.); (S.R.-M.); (D.O.); (M.F.)
- Placental Pathophysiology & Fetal Programming Research Group, B46_20R & GIIS-028 del IISA, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Obstetrics Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Red RICORS “Primary Care Interventions to Prevent Maternal and Child Chronic Diseases of Perinatal and Developmental Origin”, RD21/0012/0001, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Peran
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitario de Aragón (IIS Aragon), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (A.M.-M.); (C.P.); (M.P.); (P.C.); (S.R.-M.); (D.O.); (M.F.)
- Placental Pathophysiology & Fetal Programming Research Group, B46_20R & GIIS-028 del IISA, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Biochemistry Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Pilar Calvo
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitario de Aragón (IIS Aragon), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (A.M.-M.); (C.P.); (M.P.); (P.C.); (S.R.-M.); (D.O.); (M.F.)
- Placental Pathophysiology & Fetal Programming Research Group, B46_20R & GIIS-028 del IISA, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Obstetrics Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sara Ruiz-Martinez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitario de Aragón (IIS Aragon), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (A.M.-M.); (C.P.); (M.P.); (P.C.); (S.R.-M.); (D.O.); (M.F.)
- Placental Pathophysiology & Fetal Programming Research Group, B46_20R & GIIS-028 del IISA, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Obstetrics Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Red RICORS “Primary Care Interventions to Prevent Maternal and Child Chronic Diseases of Perinatal and Developmental Origin”, RD21/0012/0001, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Ormazabal Cundin
- Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Aragón (CIBA), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.O.C.); (A.C.-S.); (M.S.)
| | - Alberto Cebollada-Solanas
- Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Aragón (CIBA), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.O.C.); (A.C.-S.); (M.S.)
| | - Mark Strunk
- Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Aragón (CIBA), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.O.C.); (A.C.-S.); (M.S.)
| | - Jon Schoorlemmer
- Placental Pathophysiology & Fetal Programming Research Group, B46_20R & GIIS-028 del IISA, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Aragón (CIBA), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.O.C.); (A.C.-S.); (M.S.)
- ARAID Foundation, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Daniel Oros
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitario de Aragón (IIS Aragon), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (A.M.-M.); (C.P.); (M.P.); (P.C.); (S.R.-M.); (D.O.); (M.F.)
- Placental Pathophysiology & Fetal Programming Research Group, B46_20R & GIIS-028 del IISA, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Obstetrics Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Red RICORS “Primary Care Interventions to Prevent Maternal and Child Chronic Diseases of Perinatal and Developmental Origin”, RD21/0012/0001, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Fabre
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitario de Aragón (IIS Aragon), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (A.M.-M.); (C.P.); (M.P.); (P.C.); (S.R.-M.); (D.O.); (M.F.)
- Placental Pathophysiology & Fetal Programming Research Group, B46_20R & GIIS-028 del IISA, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Red RICORS “Primary Care Interventions to Prevent Maternal and Child Chronic Diseases of Perinatal and Developmental Origin”, RD21/0012/0001, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Biochemistry Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
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20
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Doratt BM, Sureshchandra S, True H, Rincon M, Marshall NE, Messaoudi I. Mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 in unvaccinated pregnant mothers impairs neonatal immune responses. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e172658. [PMID: 37698937 PMCID: PMC10629812 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.172658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers placental inflammation and alters cord blood immune cell composition. However, most studies focus on outcomes of severe maternal infection. Therefore, we analyzed cord blood and chorionic villi from newborns of unvaccinated mothers who experienced mild/asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. We investigated immune cell rewiring using flow cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing, and functional readouts using ex vivo stimulation with TLR agonists and pathogens. Maternal infection was associated with increased frequency of memory T and B cells and nonclassical monocytes in cord blood. Ex vivo T and B cell responses to stimulation were attenuated, suggesting a tolerogenic state. Maladaptive responses were also observed in cord blood monocytes, where antiviral responses were dampened but responses to bacterial TLRs were increased. Maternal infection was also associated with expansion and activation of placental Hofbauer cells, secreting elevated levels of myeloid cell-recruiting chemokines. Moreover, we reported increased activation of maternally derived monocytes/macrophages in the fetal placenta that were transcriptionally primed for antiviral responses. Our data indicate that even in the absence of vertical transmission or symptoms in the neonate, mild/asymptomatic maternal COVID-19 altered the transcriptional and functional state in fetal immune cells in circulation and in the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna M. Doratt
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Suhas Sureshchandra
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Heather True
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Monica Rincon
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Nicole E. Marshall
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Ilhem Messaoudi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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21
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Barrozo ER, Seferovic MD, Castro ECC, Major AM, Moorshead DN, Jochum MD, Rojas RF, Shope CD, Aagaard KM. SARS-CoV-2 niches in human placenta revealed by spatial transcriptomics. MED 2023; 4:612-634.e4. [PMID: 37423216 PMCID: PMC10527005 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2023.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional placental niches are presumed to spatially separate maternal-fetal antigens and restrict the vertical transmission of pathogens. We hypothesized a high-resolution map of placental transcription could provide direct evidence for niche microenvironments with unique functions and transcription profiles. METHODS We utilized Visium Spatial Transcriptomics paired with H&E staining to generate 17,927 spatial transcriptomes. By integrating these spatial transcriptomes with 273,944 placental single-cell and single-nuclei transcriptomes, we generated an atlas composed of at least 22 subpopulations in the maternal decidua, fetal chorionic villi, and chorioamniotic membranes. FINDINGS Comparisons of placentae from uninfected healthy controls (n = 4) with COVID-19 asymptomatic (n = 4) and symptomatic (n = 5) infected participants demonstrated that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection in syncytiotrophoblasts occurred in both the presence and the absence of maternal clinical disease. With spatial transcriptomics, we found that the limit of detection for SARS-CoV-2 was 1/7,000 cells, and placental niches without detectable viral transcripts were unperturbed. In contrast, niches with high SARS-CoV-2 transcript levels were associated with significant upregulation in pro-inflammatory cytokines and interferon-stimulated genes, altered metallopeptidase signaling (TIMP1), with coordinated shifts in macrophage polarization, histiocytic intervillositis, and perivillous fibrin deposition. Fetal sex differences in gene expression responses to SARS-CoV-2 were limited, with confirmed mapping limited to the maternal decidua in males. CONCLUSIONS High-resolution placental transcriptomics with spatial resolution revealed dynamic responses to SARS-CoV-2 in coordinate microenvironments in the absence and presence of clinically evident disease. FUNDING This work was supported by the NIH (R01HD091731 and T32-HD098069), NSF (2208903), the Burroughs Welcome Fund and the March of Dimes Preterm Birth Research Initiatives, and a Career Development Award from the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico R Barrozo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maxim D Seferovic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eumenia C C Castro
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Angela M Major
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David N Moorshead
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Immunology and Microbiology Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael D Jochum
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ricardo Ferral Rojas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Cynthia D Shope
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kjersti M Aagaard
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
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22
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Chen J, Neil JA, Tan JP, Rudraraju R, Mohenska M, Sun YBY, Walters E, Bediaga NG, Sun G, Zhou Y, Li Y, Drew D, Pymm P, Tham WH, Wang Y, Rossello FJ, Nie G, Liu X, Subbarao K, Polo JM. A placental model of SARS-CoV-2 infection reveals ACE2-dependent susceptibility and differentiation impairment in syncytiotrophoblasts. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:1223-1234. [PMID: 37443288 PMCID: PMC10415184 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01182-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection causes COVID-19. Several clinical reports have linked COVID-19 during pregnancy to negative birth outcomes and placentitis. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning SARS-CoV-2 infection during placentation and early pregnancy are not clear. Here, to shed light on this, we used induced trophoblast stem cells to generate an in vitro early placenta infection model. We identified that syncytiotrophoblasts could be infected through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Using a co-culture model of vertical transmission, we confirmed the ability of the virus to infect syncytiotrophoblasts through a previous endometrial cell infection. We further demonstrated transcriptional changes in infected syncytiotrophoblasts that led to impairment of cellular processes, reduced secretion of HCG hormone and morphological changes vital for syncytiotrophoblast function. Furthermore, different antibody strategies and antiviral drugs restore these impairments. In summary, we have established a scalable and tractable platform to study early placental cell types and highlighted its use in studying strategies to protect the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Chen
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - J A Neil
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - J P Tan
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - R Rudraraju
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - M Mohenska
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Y B Y Sun
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - E Walters
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - N G Bediaga
- Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - G Sun
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Y Zhou
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Y Li
- Implantation and Pregnancy Research Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - D Drew
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - P Pymm
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - W H Tham
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Y Wang
- Implantation and Pregnancy Research Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - F J Rossello
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - G Nie
- Implantation and Pregnancy Research Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - X Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, China
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, China
| | - K Subbarao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - J M Polo
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
- South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
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23
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Bernad ES, Duica F, Antoniadis P, Moza A, Lungeanu D, Craina M, Bernad BC, Maghet E, Vasilache IA, Maghiari AL, Arnautu DA, Iacob D. Maternal Fever and Reduced Fetal Movement as Predictive Risk Factors for Adverse Neonatal Outcome in Cases of Congenital SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Meta-Analysis of Individual Participant Data from Case Reports and Case Series. Viruses 2023; 15:1615. [PMID: 37515301 PMCID: PMC10384546 DOI: 10.3390/v15071615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine risk factors for primary and secondary adverse neonatal outcomes in newborns with congenital SARS-CoV-2 infection. DATA SOURCES PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar from January 2020 to January 2022. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA newborns delivered after 24 weeks of gestation with confirmed/possible congenital SARS-CoV-2 infection, according to standard classification criteria. METHODS Execution of the IPD analyses followed the PRISMA-IPD statement. Univariate non-parametric tests compared numerical data distributions. Fisher's exact or Chi-square test determined categorical variables' statistical significance. Multivariate logistic regression revealed risk factors for adverse neonatal outcome. RESULTS Maternal fever was associated with symptomatic congenital infection (OR: 4.55, 95% CI: 1.33-15.57). Two-thirds of women that reported decreased fetal movements were diagnosed with IUFD (p-value = 0.001). Reduced fetal movement increased the risk of intrauterine fetal death by 7.84 times (p-value = 0.016, 95% CI: 2.23-27.5). The risk of stillbirth decreased with gestational age at the time of maternal infection (p-value < 0.05, OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.79-0.97). CONCLUSIONS Maternal fever and perception of reduced fetal movement may be predictive risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcome in cases with congenital SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena S Bernad
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Pius Brinzeu" County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Laparoscopy, Laparoscopic Surgery and In Vitro Fertilization, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Florentina Duica
- Bucharest Emergency Clinical Hospital, 014461 Bucharest, Romania
- Alessandrescu-Rusescu National Institute for Mother and Child Health, Fetal Medicine Excellence Research Center, 020395 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Panagiotis Antoniadis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Andreea Moza
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Pius Brinzeu" County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Diana Lungeanu
- Center for Modeling Biological Systems and Data Analysis, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Marius Craina
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Pius Brinzeu" County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Laparoscopy, Laparoscopic Surgery and In Vitro Fertilization, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Brenda C Bernad
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Neuropsychology and Behavioral Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Edida Maghet
- 1st Department, Faculty of Dental Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300070 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ingrid-Andrada Vasilache
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Anca Laura Maghiari
- 1st Department, Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Diana-Aurora Arnautu
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Daniela Iacob
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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24
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Woods R, Lorusso J, Fletcher J, ElTaher H, McEwan F, Harris I, Kowash H, D'Souza SW, Harte M, Hager R, Glazier JD. Maternal immune activation and role of placenta in the prenatal programming of neurodevelopmental disorders. Neuronal Signal 2023; 7:NS20220064. [PMID: 37332846 PMCID: PMC10273029 DOI: 10.1042/ns20220064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal infection during pregnancy, leading to maternal immune activation (mIA) and cytokine release, increases the offspring risk of developing a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including schizophrenia. Animal models have provided evidence to support these mechanistic links, with placental inflammatory responses and dysregulation of placental function implicated. This leads to changes in fetal brain cytokine balance and altered epigenetic regulation of key neurodevelopmental pathways. The prenatal timing of such mIA-evoked changes, and the accompanying fetal developmental responses to an altered in utero environment, will determine the scope of the impacts on neurodevelopmental processes. Such dysregulation can impart enduring neuropathological changes, which manifest subsequently in the postnatal period as altered neurodevelopmental behaviours in the offspring. Hence, elucidation of the functional changes that occur at the molecular level in the placenta is vital in improving our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis of NDDs. This has notable relevance to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, where inflammatory responses in the placenta to SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and NDDs in early childhood have been reported. This review presents an integrated overview of these collective topics and describes the possible contribution of prenatal programming through placental effects as an underlying mechanism that links to NDD risk, underpinned by altered epigenetic regulation of neurodevelopmental pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M. Woods
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Jarred M. Lorusso
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Jennifer Fletcher
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Biology and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Heidi ElTaher
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Biology and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt
| | - Francesca McEwan
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Isabella Harris
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Hager M. Kowash
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9WL, U.K
| | - Stephen W. D'Souza
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9WL, U.K
| | - Michael Harte
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Biology and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Reinmar Hager
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Jocelyn D. Glazier
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
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25
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Creisher PS, Perry JL, Zhong W, Lei J, Mulka KR, Ryan H, Zhou R, Akin EH, Liu A, Mitzner W, Burd I, Pekosz A, Klein SL. Adverse outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 infected pregnant mice are gestational age-dependent and resolve with antiviral treatment. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.23.533961. [PMID: 36993658 PMCID: PMC10055386 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.23.533961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy is associated with severe COVID-19 and adverse fetal outcomes, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Moreover, clinical studies assessing therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy are limited. To address these gaps, we developed a mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. Outbred CD1 mice were infected at embryonic day (E) 6, E10, or E16 with a mouse adapted SARS-CoV-2 (maSCV2) virus. Outcomes were gestational age-dependent, with greater morbidity, reduced anti-viral immunity, greater viral titers, and more adverse fetal outcomes occurring with infection at E16 (3rd trimester-equivalent) than with infection at either E6 (1st trimester-equivalent) or E10 (2nd trimester-equivalent). To assess the efficacy of ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir (recommended for pregnant individuals with COVID-19), we treated E16-infected dams with mouse equivalent doses of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. Treatment reduced pulmonary viral titers, decreased maternal morbidity, and prevented adverse offspring outcomes. Our results highlight that severe COVID-19 during pregnancy and adverse fetal outcomes are associated with heightened virus replication in maternal lungs. Ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir mitigated adverse maternal and fetal outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection. These findings prompt the need for further consideration of pregnancy in preclinical and clinical studies of therapeutics against viral infections.
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Doratt BM, Sureshchandra S, True H, Rincon M, Marshall N, Messaoudi I. Mild/Asymptomatic Maternal SARS-CoV-2 Infection Leads to Immune Paralysis in Fetal Circulation and Immune Dysregulation in Fetal-Placental Tissues. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.10.540233. [PMID: 37214938 PMCID: PMC10197637 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.10.540233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have addressed the impact of maternal mild/asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection on the developing neonatal immune system. In this study, we analyzed umbilical cord blood and placental chorionic villi from newborns of unvaccinated mothers with mild/asymptomatic SARSCoV-2 infection during pregnancy using flow cytometry, single-cell transcriptomics, and functional assays. Despite the lack of vertical transmission, levels of inflammatory mediators were altered in cord blood. Maternal infection was also associated with increased memory T, B cells, and non-classical monocytes as well as increased activation. However, ex vivo responses to stimulation were attenuated. Finally, within the placental villi, we report an expansion of fetal Hofbauer cells and infiltrating maternal macrophages and rewiring towards a heightened inflammatory state. In contrast to cord blood monocytes, placental myeloid cells were primed for heightened antiviral responses. Taken together, this study highlights dysregulated fetal immune cell responses in response to mild maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna M. Doratt
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY 40536
| | - Suhas Sureshchandra
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine CA 92697
- Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine CA 92697
| | - Heather True
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY 40536
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY 40536
| | - Monica Rincon
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland OR 97239
| | - Nicole Marshall
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland OR 97239
| | - Ilhem Messaoudi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY 40536
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27
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Beharier O, Neeman M. Vaccinations in pregnancy against TORCH pathogens. Mol Ther 2023; 31:915-916. [PMID: 36933559 PMCID: PMC10124075 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ofer Beharier
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Division, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michal Neeman
- Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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28
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Gomez-Lopez N, Romero R, Escobar MF, Carvajal JA, Echavarria MP, Albornoz LL, Nasner D, Miller D, Gallo DM, Galaz J, Arenas-Hernandez M, Bhatti G, Done B, Zambrano MA, Ramos I, Fernandez PA, Posada L, Chaiworapongsa T, Jung E, Garcia-Flores V, Suksai M, Gotsch F, Bosco M, Than NG, Tarca AL. Pregnancy-specific responses to COVID-19 revealed by high-throughput proteomics of human plasma. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2023; 3:48. [PMID: 37016066 PMCID: PMC10071476 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-023-00268-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnant women are at greater risk of adverse outcomes, including mortality, as well as obstetrical complications resulting from COVID-19. However, pregnancy-specific changes that underlie such worsened outcomes remain unclear. METHODS Plasma samples were collected from pregnant women and non-pregnant individuals (male and female) with (n = 72 pregnant, 52 non-pregnant) and without (n = 29 pregnant, 41 non-pregnant) COVID-19. COVID-19 patients were grouped as asymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe, or critically ill according to NIH classifications. Proteomic profiling of 7,288 analytes corresponding to 6,596 unique protein targets was performed using the SOMAmer platform. RESULTS Herein, we profile the plasma proteome of pregnant and non-pregnant COVID-19 patients and controls and show alterations that display a dose-response relationship with disease severity; yet, such proteomic perturbations are dampened during pregnancy. In both pregnant and non-pregnant state, the proteome response induced by COVID-19 shows enrichment of mediators implicated in cytokine storm, endothelial dysfunction, and angiogenesis. Shared and pregnancy-specific proteomic changes are identified: pregnant women display a tailored response that may protect the conceptus from heightened inflammation, while non-pregnant individuals display a stronger response to repel infection. Furthermore, the plasma proteome can accurately identify COVID-19 patients, even when asymptomatic or with mild symptoms. CONCLUSION This study represents the most comprehensive characterization of the plasma proteome of pregnant and non-pregnant COVID-19 patients. Our findings emphasize the distinct immune modulation between the non-pregnant and pregnant states, providing insight into the pathogenesis of COVID-19 as well as a potential explanation for the more severe outcomes observed in pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | - Roberto Romero
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA.
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
- Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | - María Fernanda Escobar
- Departamento de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
- Departamento de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Javier Andres Carvajal
- Departamento de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
- Departamento de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Maria Paula Echavarria
- Departamento de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
- Departamento de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Ludwig L Albornoz
- Departamento de Laboratorio Clínico y Patología, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Daniela Nasner
- Centro de Investigaciones Clínicas, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
| | - Derek Miller
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Dahiana M Gallo
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jose Galaz
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marcia Arenas-Hernandez
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Gaurav Bhatti
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Bogdan Done
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Maria Andrea Zambrano
- Departamento de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Isabella Ramos
- Departamento de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Paula Andrea Fernandez
- Departamento de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Leandro Posada
- Departamento de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Tinnakorn Chaiworapongsa
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Eunjung Jung
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Valeria Garcia-Flores
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Manaphat Suksai
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Francesca Gotsch
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Mariachiara Bosco
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Nandor Gabor Than
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Maternity Private Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Genesis Theranostix Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Adi L Tarca
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
- Department of Computer Science, Wayne State University College of Engineering, Detroit, MI, USA.
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Marie-Eve B, Elsa B, Josianne C, Yasmine K, Claude-Emilie J, Camille C, Dorothée DS, Sylvie G. Mediators of inflammation at the maternal-fetal interface are altered by SARS-CoV-2 infection and pandemic stress. Am J Reprod Immunol 2023; 89:e13679. [PMID: 36680541 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM It is now recognized that SARS-CoV-2 infection and pandemic-related stress impacts maternal health. However, their effects at the maternal-fetal interface are still debated. METHOD OF STUDY We recruited 199 women between March 2020 and July 2021, 79 SARS-CoV-2+ and 120 negative (the latter exposed to pandemic stress only). We also included 40 historic controls (i.e. pre-pandemic uncomplicated pregnancies recruited before March 2020). Placental samples were collected for protein and histological analysis. RESULTS The majority of SARS-CoV-2+ women were multiethnic, had higher pre-pregnancy BMI and elevated preterm birth rate (17%) vs SARS-CoV-2- or historic control. Placental inflammatory profile revealed increased IL-1Ra and CRP, independently of SARS-CoV-2 status, whilst MCP-1, IL-6 and IFNγ were elevated in the negative, but pandemic stress-exposed, group. These changes were predominant in placentas with inflammatory lesions on histopathological analysis. Furthermore, we observed elevated immune cells (CD45+) in placentas from SARS-CoV-2+ and negative pregnancies vs historic controls, even when individuals with pregnancy complications were excluded. CONCLUSIONS Placental inflammatory profiles differed between SARS-CoV-2 statuses, namely exposed to pandemic stress +/- SARS-CoV-2 infection. This highlights the need to understand the differences between the effects of pandemic-related stress and the added burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection on placental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brien Marie-Eve
- Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Bernier Elsa
- Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Universite de Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Clavel Josianne
- Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kebiche Yasmine
- Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jacob Claude-Emilie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universite de Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Quebec, Canada
| | - Couture Camille
- Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Universite de Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Dal Soglio Dorothée
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Universite de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Girard Sylvie
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Universite de Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universite de Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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30
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Edlow AG, Castro VM, Shook LL, Haneuse S, Kaimal AJ, Perlis RH. Sex-Specific Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Among Offspring of Mothers With SARS-CoV-2 Infection During Pregnancy. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e234415. [PMID: 36951861 PMCID: PMC10037162 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.4415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Prior studies using large registries have suggested a modest increase in risk for neurodevelopmental diagnoses among children of mothers with immune activation during pregnancy, and such risk may be sex-specific. Objective To determine whether in utero exposure to SARS-CoV-2 is associated with sex-specific risk for neurodevelopmental disorders up to 18 months after birth, compared with unexposed offspring born during or prior to the COVID-19 pandemic period. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study included the live offspring of all mothers who delivered between January 1 and December 31, 2018 (born and followed up before the COVID-19 pandemic), between March 1 and December 31, 2019 (born before and followed up during the COVID-19 pandemic), and between March 1, 2020, and May 31, 2021 (born and followed up during the COVID-19 pandemic). Offspring were born at any of 8 hospitals across 2 health systems in Massachusetts. Exposures Polymerase chain reaction evidence of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. Main Outcomes and Measures Electronic health record documentation of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision diagnostic codes corresponding to neurodevelopmental disorders. Results The COVID-19 pandemic cohort included 18 355 live births (9399 boys [51.2%]), including 883 (4.8%) with maternal SARS-CoV-2 positivity during pregnancy. The cohort included 1809 Asian individuals (9.9%), 1635 Black individuals (8.9%), 12 718 White individuals (69.3%), and 1714 individuals (9.3%) who were of other race (American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, more than 1 race); 2617 individuals (14.3%) were of Hispanic ethnicity. Mean maternal age was 33.0 (IQR, 30.0-36.0) years. In adjusted regression models accounting for race, ethnicity, insurance status, hospital type (academic center vs community), maternal age, and preterm status, maternal SARS-CoV-2 positivity was associated with a statistically significant elevation in risk for neurodevelopmental diagnoses at 12 months among male offspring (adjusted OR, 1.94 [95% CI 1.12-3.17]; P = .01) but not female offspring (adjusted OR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.39-1.76]; P = .77). Similar effects were identified using matched analyses in lieu of regression. At 18 months, more modest effects were observed in male offspring (adjusted OR, 1.42 [95% CI, 0.92-2.11]; P = .10). Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of offspring with SARS-CoV-2 exposure in utero, such exposure was associated with greater magnitude of risk for neurodevelopmental diagnoses among male offspring at 12 months following birth. As with prior studies of maternal infection, substantially larger cohorts and longer follow-up will be required to reliably estimate or refute risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea G. Edlow
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Victor M. Castro
- Center for Quantitative Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Research Information Science and Computing, Mass General Brigham, Somerville, Massachusetts
| | - Lydia L. Shook
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Sebastien Haneuse
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Anjali J. Kaimal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa
| | - Roy H. Perlis
- Center for Quantitative Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston
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Beltrami S, Rizzo S, Strazzabosco G, Gentili V, Alogna A, Narducci M, Bortolotti D, Schiuma G, Rizzo R. Non-classical HLA class I molecules and their potential role in viral infections. Hum Immunol 2023:S0198-8859(23)00061-7. [PMID: 37005169 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) are classified in three different classes I, II and III, and represent the key mediators of immune responses, self-tolerance development and pathogen recognition. Among them, non-classical subtypes (HLA-Ib), e.g. HLA-E and HLA-G, are characterize by tolerogenic functions that are often exploited by viruses to evade the host immune responses. In this perspective, we will review the main current data referred to HLA-G and HLA-E and viral infections, as well as the impact on immune response. Data were selected following eligibility criteria accordingly to the reviewed topic. We used a set of electronic databases (Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences (WOS), Cochrane library) for a systematic search until November 2022 using MeSH keywords/terms (i.e. HLA, HLA-G, HLA-E, viral infection, SARS-CoV-2, etc.…). Recent studies support the involvement of non-classical molecules, such as HLA-E and HLA-G, in the control of viral infection. On one side, viruses exploit HLA-G and HLA-E molecule to control host immune activation. On the other side, the expression of these molecules might control the inflammatory condition generated by viral infections. Hence, this review has the aim to summarize the state of art of literature about the modulation of these non-classical HLA-I molecules, to provide a general overview of the new strategies of viral immune system regulation to counteract immune defenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Beltrami
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sabrina Rizzo
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Strazzabosco
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Valentina Gentili
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Andrea Alogna
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marco Narducci
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; Temple University, Japan Campus, 1 Chome-14-29 Taishido, Setagaya City, Tokyo 154-0004, Italy
| | - Daria Bortolotti
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanna Schiuma
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberta Rizzo
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy - Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; LTTA, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
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Wong YP, Tan GC, Khong TY. SARS-CoV-2 Transplacental Transmission: A Rare Occurrence? An Overview of the Protective Role of the Placenta. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054550. [PMID: 36901979 PMCID: PMC10002996 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in a global public health crisis, causing substantial concern especially to the pregnant population. Pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 are at greater risk of devastating pregnancy complications such as premature delivery and stillbirth. Irrespective of the emerging reported cases of neonatal COVID-19, reassuringly, confirmatory evidence of vertical transmission is still lacking. The protective role of the placenta in limiting in utero spread of virus to the developing fetus is intriguing. The short- and long-term impact of maternal COVID-19 infection in the newborn remains an unresolved question. In this review, we explore the recent evidence of SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission, cell-entry pathways, placental responses towards SARS-CoV-2 infection, and its potential effects on the offspring. We further discuss how the placenta serves as a defensive front against SARS-CoV-2 by exerting various cellular and molecular defense pathways. A better understanding of the placental barrier, immune defense, and modulation strategies involved in restricting transplacental transmission may provide valuable insights for future development of antiviral and immunomodulatory therapies to improve pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Ping Wong
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
- Department of Pathology, SA Pathology, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
- Correspondence: (Y.P.W.); (G.C.T.)
| | - Geok Chin Tan
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (Y.P.W.); (G.C.T.)
| | - T. Yee Khong
- Department of Pathology, SA Pathology, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
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Schiuma G, Beltrami S, Santi E, Scutiero G, Sanz JM, Semprini CM, Rizzo S, Fernandez M, Zidi I, Gafà R, Passaro A, Greco P, Bortolotti D, Rizzo R. Effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy on CD147, ACE2 and HLA-G expression. Placenta 2023; 132:38-43. [PMID: 36628848 PMCID: PMC9814282 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent studies reported a differential expression of both ACE2 and CD147 in pregnant women associated to SARS-CoV-2 placental infection. The aim of this study is to further investigate the placental SARS-CoV-2 infection and the potential effect on protein expression (ACE2, CD147, HLA-G and CD56). METHODS The study was on three subgroups: i) 18 subjects positive for SARS-CoV-2 swab at delivery; ii) 9 subjects that had a positive SARS-CoV-2 swab during pregnancy but resulted negative at delivery; iii) 11 control subjects with physiological pregnancy and with no previous or concomitant SARS-CoV-2 swab positivity. None of the subjects were vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The placenta samples were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 NP (Nucleocapsid protein) positivity and the expression of ACE2, CD147, HLA-G and CD56. RESULTS We observed a higher percentage of SARS-CoV-2 NP positive placenta samples in the group of SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive at delivery in comparison with SARS-CoV-2 PCR negative at delivery. The localization of SARS-CoV-2 NP positivity in placenta samples was mainly in syncytiotrophoblast (ST) of SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive at delivery group and in extra-villous trophoblast (EVT) of SARS-CoV-2 PCR negative at delivery group. CD147, HLA-G positivity was higher in ST of SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive at delivery group, while CD56-expressing immune cells were decreased in comparison with control subjects. DISCUSSION We confirmed the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to infect placenta tissues. The simultaneous SARS-CoV-2 swab positivity at delivery and the positivity of the placenta tissue for SARS-CoV-2 NP seems to create an environment that modifies the expression of specific molecules, as CD147 and HLA-G. These data suggest a possible impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, that might be worthy to be monitored also in vaccinated subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Schiuma
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvia Beltrami
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Erica Santi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Obstetric and Gynecological Clinic, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gennaro Scutiero
- Department of Medical Sciences, Obstetric and Gynecological Clinic, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Juana Maria Sanz
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Chiara Marina Semprini
- Medical Department, University Hospital of Ferrara Arcispedale Sant'Anna, Via Aldo Moro, 8 Cona, 44124, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sabrina Rizzo
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Mercedes Fernandez
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Ines Zidi
- Laboratory Microorganismes and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Roberta Gafà
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Angelina Passaro
- Medical Department, University Hospital of Ferrara Arcispedale Sant'Anna, Via Aldo Moro, 8 Cona, 44124, Ferrara, Italy,Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Pantaleo Greco
- Department of Medical Sciences, Obstetric and Gynecological Clinic, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Daria Bortolotti
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberta Rizzo
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy; LTTA-Clinical Research Center, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46 - 44100, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
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Chenge S, Ngure H, Kanoi BN, Sferruzzi-Perri AN, Kobia FM. Infectious and environmental placental insults: from underlying biological pathways to diagnostics and treatments. Pathog Dis 2023; 81:ftad024. [PMID: 37727973 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftad024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Because the placenta is bathed in maternal blood, it is exposed to infectious agents and chemicals that may be present in the mother's circulation. Such exposures, which do not necessarily equate with transmission to the fetus, may primarily cause placental injury, thereby impairing placental function. Recent research has improved our understanding of the mechanisms by which some infectious agents are transmitted to the fetus, as well as the mechanisms underlying their impact on fetal outcomes. However, less is known about the impact of placental infection on placental structure and function, or the mechanisms underlying infection-driven placental pathogenesis. Moreover, recent studies indicate that noninfectious environmental agents accumulate in the placenta, but their impacts on placental function and fetal outcomes are unknown. Critically, diagnosing placental insults during pregnancy is very difficult and currently, this is possible only through postpartum placental examination. Here, with emphasis on humans, we discuss what is known about the impact of infectious and chemical agents on placental physiology and function, particularly in the absence of maternal-fetal transmission, and highlight knowledge gaps with potential implications for diagnosis and intervention against placental pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Chenge
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Laboratory Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Juja, off Thika road, P. O. Box 62000-00200 Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Harrison Ngure
- Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, General Kago road, P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya
| | - Bernard N Kanoi
- Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, General Kago road, P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya
- Centre for Malaria Elimination, Mount Kenya University, General Kago road, P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, United Kingdom
| | - Francis M Kobia
- Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, General Kago road, P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya
- Centre for Malaria Elimination, Mount Kenya University, General Kago road, P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya
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35
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Wai JY, Wood EM, Hornaday KK, Slater DM. Potential molecular and cellular mechanisms for adverse placental outcomes in pregnancies complicated by SARS-CoV-2 infection-A scoping review. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283453. [PMID: 36952548 PMCID: PMC10035918 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy can result in placental damage and poor placental outcomes. However, the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to placental damage are not well understood. With a rapid expansion of literature on this topic, it is critical to assess the quality and synthesize the current state of literature. The objective of this scoping review is to highlight underlying mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 mediated placental pathology in pregnant individuals and identify literature gaps regarding molecular and cellular mechanisms of poor placental outcomes. METHODS The review was conducted and reported following the recommendations of the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews. The study protocol was registered with Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/p563s/). Five databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, PubMed) were searched for studies published between September 2019 until April 2022. Studies assessing placental outcomes with respect to SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy were eligible for inclusion. Outcomes of interest included histopathology, and molecular or cellular analysis. All records were uploaded into Covidence and extracted using the Joanna Briggs Institute method. Studies were assessed for risk of bias using the Newcastle Ottawa scale and a narrative synthesis of results was generated. RESULTS Twenty-seven studies reporting on molecular and/or cellular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 mediated placental outcomes were included in this review. SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with perturbations in the ACE2 pathway, inflammatory mediators and immune cell populations and mitochondrial function in placentas. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that changes in the ACE2 pathway, mitochondrial dysfunction, and/or inflammatory processes may lead to placental damage observed in SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. More research is needed to understand the role of these pathways further, in addition to data collection related to trimester, severity, and strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janelle Y Wai
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Eilidh M Wood
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Kylie K Hornaday
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Donna M Slater
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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Kumar D, Verma S, Mysorekar IU. COVID-19 and pregnancy: clinical outcomes; mechanisms, and vaccine efficacy. Transl Res 2023; 251:84-95. [PMID: 35970470 PMCID: PMC9371980 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2022.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues into its third year, emerging data indicates increased risks associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, stillbirth, and risk of developmental defects in neonates. Here, we review clinical reports to date that address different COVID-19 pregnancy complications. We also document placental pathologies induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection, entry mechanisms in placental cells, and immune responses at the maternal-fetal interface. Since new variants of SARS-CoV-2 are emerging with characteristics of higher transmissibility and more effective immune escape strategies, we also briefly highlight the genomic and proteomic features of SARS-CoV-2 investigated to date. Vector and mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines continue to be rolled out globally. However, because pregnant individuals were not included in the vaccine clinical trials, some pregnant individuals have safety concerns and are hesitant to take these vaccines. We describe the recent studies that have addressed the effectiveness and safety of the current vaccines during pregnancy. This review also sheds light on important areas that need to be carefully or more fully considered with respect to understanding SARS-CoV-2 disease mechanisms of concern during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Kumar
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Sonam Verma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Indira U Mysorekar
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
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Corsi Decenti E, Salvatore MA, Mancon A, Portella G, Rocca A, Vocale C, Donati S. A large series of molecular and serological specimens to evaluate mother-to-child SARS-CoV-2 transmission: a prospective study from the Italian Obstetric Surveillance System. Int J Infect Dis 2023; 126:1-9. [PMID: 36368605 PMCID: PMC9640374 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.10.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assay the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 genome in vaginal, rectal, and placental swabs among pregnant women and in newborn nasopharyngeal swabs and to investigate the immunological response and maternal antibody transfer through the umbilical cord blood and milk of unvaccinated mothers. METHODS Vaginal, rectal, and placental specimens, maternal and neonatal serum, and milk were collected from a wide cohort of pregnant Italian women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to the hospital between February 25, 2020 and June 30, 2021. Samples were tested in selected reference laboratories according to a shared interlaboratory protocol. RESULTS Among 1086 enrolled women, the SARS-CoV-2 positive rate detected in all specimens ranged from 0.7% to 8.4%. Respectively, 45.2% of maternal sera collected during pregnancy and 39.7% of those collected at birth tested positive for immunoglobulin G, whereas 50.5% tested positive among neonates. Nasopharyngeal swabs were positive in 0.8% of the newborns, and immunoglobulin G was detected in 3.0% of the milk samples. The highest immunological response was recorded within 30 days during pregnancy and within 60 days of birth and in the neonatal population. CONCLUSION Vertical transmission should be considered a rare event; although, a good maternal immunological response and antibodies transfer throughout the umbilical cord blood was detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Corsi Decenti
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità - Italian National Institute of Health, National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 00161 Rome, Italy,University of Rome Tor Vergata, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Antonio Salvatore
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità - Italian National Institute of Health, National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 00161 Rome, Italy,Corresponding author at: Michele Antonio Salvatore, Istituto Superiore di Sanità - Italian National Institute of Health, National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy. Tel: +39-0649904310
| | | | - Giuseppe Portella
- Federico II University of Naples, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Arianna Rocca
- Careggi University Hospital, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Caterina Vocale
- Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS) - University Hospital of Bologna, Microbiology Unit, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Serena Donati
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità - Italian National Institute of Health, National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Italian Obstetric Surveillance System COVID-19 Working GroupAlberiIrene7AnelliGaia Maria8BaltaroFederica9BisulliMaria10BrusaStefano11CataneoIlaria12CetinIrene13CuomoMarianna14RìPietro Dal15CerboLidia Di16FerrettiAlice17GismondoMaria Rita1819GrisoliaGianpaolo20LivioStefania21LocciMariavittoria22MalentacchiFrancesca23MecacciFederico24PaccaloniBarbara25PednaMaria Federica26PerroneEnrica27PignattiLucrezia28PirasMartina29PrimaveraAlessandra30SavasiValeria31SimeoneSerena32TaddeiFabrizio33TironiRoberta34TorriArianna35Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Santa Chiara Hospital, 38122 Trento, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences - University of Milan, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157, Milan, ItalyUnit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano di Niguarda, 20162, Milan, ItalyObstetric Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, ItalyDipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Federico II University of Naples, 80138, Naples, ItalyDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ospedale Maggiore, 40133, Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, 20154, Milan, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences - University of Milan, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157, Milan, ItalyUnit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Santa Maria del Carmine Hospital, 38068, Rovereto, ItalyOspedale Infermi, 47923, Rimini, ItalyUnit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS, 42123, Reggio Emilia, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences - University of Milan, 20157, Milan, ItalyASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco - University Hospital L. Sacco, 20157, Milan, ItalyDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Carlo Poma Hospital, 46100, Mantua, ItalyUnit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital V. Buzzi, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, 20154, Milan, ItalyFederico II University of Naples, 80138, Naples, ItalySOD Microbiologia e Virologia, AOU Careggi, 50139, Florence, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, University of Florence, 50134, Florence, ItalyUnit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Santa Maria della Scaletta Hospital, 40026, Imola, ItalyUnit of Microbiology, Greater Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522, Pievesestina, Cesena, ItalyServizio Assistenza Territoriale, Direzione Generale Cura Della Persona, Salute e Welfare, Emilia‐Romagna Region, 40127, Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maurizio Bufalini Hospital, 47521, Cesena, ItalyClinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS Reggio Emilia, 42122, Reggio Emilia, ItalyMicrobiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, ItalyUnit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, University of Milan, 20157, Milan, ItalyDepartment of Woman and Child's Health, Careggi University Hospital, 50141, Florence, ItalyDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Santa Chiara Hospital, 38122, Trento, ItalyOspedale Manzoni, 23900, Lecco, ItalyUnit of Microbiology, Greater Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522, Pievesestina, Cesena, Italy.
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Human Maternal-Fetal Interface Cellular Models to Assess Antiviral Drug Toxicity during Pregnancy. REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/reprodmed3040024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is a period of elevated risk for viral disease severity, resulting in serious health consequences for both the mother and the fetus; yet antiviral drugs lack comprehensive safety and efficacy data for use among pregnant women. In fact, pregnant women are systematically excluded from therapeutic clinical trials to prevent potential fetal harm. Current FDA-recommended reproductive toxicity assessments are studied using small animals which often do not accurately predict the human toxicological profiles of drug candidates. Here, we review the potential of human maternal-fetal interface cellular models in reproductive toxicity assessment of antiviral drugs. We specifically focus on the 2- and 3-dimensional maternal placental models of different gestational stages and those of fetal embryogenesis and organ development. Screening of drug candidates in physiologically relevant human maternal-fetal cellular models will be beneficial to prioritize selection of safe antiviral therapeutics for clinical trials in pregnant women.
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Edlow AG, Castro VM, Shook LL, Haneuse S, Kaimal AJ, Perlis RH. Sex-specific neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring of mothers with SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy: an electronic health records cohort. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2022:2022.11.18.22282448. [PMID: 36415457 PMCID: PMC9681056 DOI: 10.1101/2022.11.18.22282448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Importance Prior studies using large registries suggested a modest increase in risk for neurodevelopmental diagnoses among children of mothers with immune activation during pregnancy, and such risk may be sex-specific. Objective To determine whether in utero exposure to the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is associated with sex-specific risk for neurodevelopmental disorders up to 18 months after birth, compared to unexposed offspring born during or prior to the pandemic period. Design Retrospective cohort. Participants Live offspring of all mothers who delivered between March 2018 and May 2021 at any of eight hospitals across two health systems in Massachusetts. Exposure PCR evidence of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. Main Outcome and Measures Electronic health record documentation of ICD-10 diagnostic codes corresponding to neurodevelopmental disorders. Results The pandemic cohort included 18,323 live births, including 877 (4.8%) to individuals with SARS-CoV-2 positivity during pregnancy. The cohort included 1806 (9.9%) Asian individuals, 1634 (8.9%) Black individuals, 1711 (9.3%) individuals of another race, and 12,694 (69%) White individuals; 2614 (14%) were of Hispanic ethnicity. Mean maternal age was 33.0 years (IQR 30.0-36.0). In adjusted regression models accounting for race, ethnicity, insurance status, hospital type (academic center vs. community), maternal age, and preterm status, SARS-CoV-2 positivity was associated with statistically significant elevation in risk for neurodevelopmental diagnoses among male offspring (adjusted OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.19-3.34; p=0.009) but not female offspring (adjusted OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.43-1.88; p=0.8). Similar effects were identified using matched analyses in lieu of regression. Conclusion and Relevance SARS-CoV-2 exposure in utero was associated with greater magnitude of risk for neurodevelopmental diagnoses among male offspring in the 12 months following birth. As with prior studies of maternal infection, substantially larger cohorts and longer follow-up will be required to reliably estimate or refute risk. Trial Registration NA. Key Points Question: Are rates of neurodevelopmental disorder diagnoses greater among male or female children with COVID-19 exposure in utero compared to those with no such exposure?Findings: In a cohort of 18,323 infants delivered after February 2020, males but not females born to mothers with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test during pregnancy were more likely to receive a neurodevelopmental diagnosis in the first 12 months after delivery, even after accounting for preterm delivery.Meaning: These findings suggest that male offspring exposed to COVID-19 in utero may be at increased risk for neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea G. Edlow
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Victor M. Castro
- Center for Quantitative Health and Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Research Information Science and Computing, Mass General Brigham, Somerville, MA
| | - Lydia L. Shook
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Sebastien Haneuse
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Anjali J. Kaimal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL
| | - Roy H. Perlis
- Center for Quantitative Health and Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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40
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Rojas-Suarez J, Miranda J. COVID-19 in Pregnancy. Clin Chest Med 2022; 44:373-384. [PMID: 37085226 PMCID: PMC9682053 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccm.2022.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection during pregnancy is associated with severe complications and adverse effects for the mother, the fetus, and the neonate. The frequency of these outcomes varies according to the region, the gestational age, and the presence of comorbidities. Many COVID-19 interventions, including oxygen therapy, high-flow nasal cannula, and invasive mechanical ventilation, are challenging and require understanding physiologic adaptations of pregnancy. Vaccination is safe during pregnancy and lactation and constitutes the most important intervention to reduce severe disease and complications.
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41
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Shook LL, Fourman LT, Edlow AG. Immune Responses to SARS-CoV-2 in Pregnancy: Implications for the Health of the Next Generation. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 209:1465-1473. [PMID: 36192115 PMCID: PMC9536183 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Widespread SARS-CoV-2 infection among pregnant individuals has led to a generation of fetuses exposed in utero, but the long-term impact of such exposure remains unknown. Although fetal infection is rare, children born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection may be at increased risk for adverse neurodevelopmental and cardiometabolic outcomes. Fetal programming effects are likely to be mediated at least in part by maternal immune activation. In this review, we discuss recent evidence regarding the effects of prenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection on the maternal, placental, and fetal immune response, as well as the implications for the long-term health of offspring. Extrapolating from what is known about the impact of maternal immune activation in other contexts (e.g., obesity, HIV, influenza), we review the potential for neurodevelopmental and cardiometabolic morbidity in offspring. Based on available data suggesting potential increased neurodevelopmental risk, we highlight the importance of establishing large cohorts to monitor offspring born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers for neurodevelopmental and cardiometabolic sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia L Shook
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; and
| | - Lindsay T Fourman
- Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Andrea G Edlow
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA;
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; and
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42
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Naidoo N, Moodley J, Khaliq OP, Naicker T. Neuropilin-1 in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, HIV-1, and SARS-CoV-2 infection: A review. Virus Res 2022; 319:198880. [PMID: 35905790 PMCID: PMC9316720 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2022.198880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
This review explores the role of transmembrane neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) in pregnancy, preeclampsia (PE), human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. Since these conditions are assessed independently, this review attempts to predict their comorbid clinical manifestations. Dysregulation of NRP-1 contributes to the pathogenesis of PE by (a) impairing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling for adequate spiral artery remodeling and placentation, (b) inducing syncytiotrophoblast (ST) cell apoptosis and increasing ST-derived microparticle circulation and (c) by decreasing regulatory T cell activity predisposing maternal immune intolerance. Although NRP-1 is upregulated in SARS-CoV-2 placentae, its exploitation for SARS-CoV-2 internalization and increased infectivity may alter angiogenesis through the competitive inhibition of VEGF. The anti-inflammatory nature of NRP-1 may aid its upregulation in HIV-1 infection; however, the HIV-accessory protein, tat, reduces NRP-1 expression. Upregulated NRP-1 in macrophages and dendritic cells also demonstrated HIV-1 resistance/reduced infectivity. Notably, HIV-1-infected pregnant women receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) to prevent vertical transmission may experience immune reconstitution, impaired decidualization, and elevated markers of endothelial injury. Since endothelial dysfunction and altered immune responses are central to PE, HIV-1 infection, ART usage and SARS-CoV-2 infection, it is plausible that an exacerbation of both features may prevail in the synergy of these events. Additionally, this review identifies microRNAs (miRNAs) mediating NRP-1 expression. MiR-320 and miR-141 are overexpressed in PE, while miR-206 and miR-124-3p showed increased expression in PE and HIV-1 infection. Additionally, miR-214 is overexpressed in PE, HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 infection, implicating treatment strategies to reduce these miRNAs to upregulate and normalize NRP-1 expression. However, inconsistencies in the data of the role and regulation of miRNAs in PE, HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 infections require clarification. This review provides a platform for early diagnosis and potential therapeutic intervention of PE, HIV-1, and SARS-CoV-2 infections independently and as comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitalia Naidoo
- Women's Health and HIV Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa.
| | - Jagidesa Moodley
- Women's Health and HIV Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa
| | - Olive Pearl Khaliq
- Women's Health and HIV Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa
| | - Thajasvarie Naicker
- Optics and Imaging Centre, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Agostinis C, Toffoli M, Spazzapan M, Balduit A, Zito G, Mangogna A, Zupin L, Salviato T, Maiocchi S, Romano F, Crovella S, Fontana F, Braga L, Confalonieri M, Ricci G, Kishore U, Bulla R. SARS-CoV-2 modulates virus receptor expression in placenta and can induce trophoblast fusion, inflammation and endothelial permeability. Front Immunol 2022; 13:957224. [PMID: 36177036 PMCID: PMC9513489 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.957224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a devastating virus that induces a range of immunopathological mechanisms including cytokine storm, apoptosis, inflammation and complement and coagulation pathway hyperactivation. However, how the infection impacts pregnant mothers is still being worked out due to evidence of vertical transmission of the SARS-CoV-2, and higher incidence of pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, caesarian section, and fetal mortality. In this study, we assessed the levels of the three main receptors of SARS-CoV-2 (ACE2, TMPRSS2 and CD147) in placentae derived from SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative mothers. Moreover, we measured the effects of Spike protein on placental cell lines, in addition to their susceptibility to infection. SARS-CoV-2 negative placentae showed elevated levels of CD147 and considerably low amount of TMPRSS2, making them non-permissive to infection. SARS-CoV-2 presence upregulated TMPRSS2 expression in syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast cells, thereby rendering them amenable to infection. The non-permissiveness of placental cells can be due to their less fusogenicity due to infection. We also found that Spike protein was capable of inducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production, syncytiotrophoblast apoptosis and increased vascular permeability. These events can elicit pre-eclampsia-like syndrome that marks a high percentage of pregnancies when mothers are infected with SARS-CoV-2. Our study raises important points relevant to SARS-CoV-2 mediated adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Miriam Toffoli
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Balduit
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
- *Correspondence: Andrea Balduit,
| | - Gabriella Zito
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mangogna
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Luisa Zupin
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Tiziana Salviato
- Department of Diagnostic, Clinic and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Serena Maiocchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Functional Cell Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Federico Romano
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sergio Crovella
- Biological Science Program, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Francesco Fontana
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASU GI), Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Braga
- Functional Cell Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Uday Kishore
- Biosciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Laurent P, Yang C, Rendeiro AF, Nilsson-Payant BE, Carrau L, Chandar V, Bram Y, tenOever BR, Elemento O, Ivashkiv LB, Schwartz RE, Barrat FJ. Sensing of SARS-CoV-2 by pDCs and their subsequent production of IFN-I contribute to macrophage-induced cytokine storm during COVID-19. Sci Immunol 2022; 7:eadd4906. [PMID: 36083891 PMCID: PMC9853436 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.add4906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Lung-infiltrating macrophages create a marked inflammatory milieu in a subset of patients with COVID-19 by producing a cytokine storm, which correlates with increased lethality. However, these macrophages are largely not infected by SARS-CoV-2, so the mechanism underlying their activation in the lung is unclear. Type I interferons (IFN-I) contribute to protecting the host against SARS-CoV-2 but may also have some deleterious effect, and the source of IFN-I in the lungs of infected patients is not well defined. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), a key cell type involved in antiviral responses, can produce IFN-I in response to SARS-CoV-2. We observed the infiltration of pDCs in the lungs of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, which correlated with strong IFN-I signaling in lung macrophages. In patients with severe COVID-19, lung macrophages expressed a robust inflammatory signature, which correlated with persistent IFN-I signaling at the single-cell level. Hence, we observed the uncoupling in the kinetics of the infiltration of pDCs in the lungs and the associated IFN-I signature, with the cytokine storm in macrophages. We observed that pDCs were the dominant IFN-α-producing cells in response to the virus in the blood, whereas macrophages produced IFN-α only when in physical contact with infected epithelial cells. We also showed that IFN-α produced by pDCs, after the sensing of SARS-CoV-2 by TLR7, mediated changes in macrophages at both transcriptional and epigenetic levels, which favored their hyperactivation by environmental stimuli. Together, these data indicate that the priming of macrophages can result from the response by pDCs to SARS-CoV-2, leading to macrophage activation in patients with severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paôline Laurent
- HSS Research Institute and David Z. Rosensweig Genomics Research Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Chao Yang
- HSS Research Institute and David Z. Rosensweig Genomics Research Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - André F. Rendeiro
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine and Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Benjamin E. Nilsson-Payant
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Microbiology, New York University, 430 E 29th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Lucia Carrau
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Microbiology, New York University, 430 E 29th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Vasuretha Chandar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Yaron Bram
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Benjamin R. tenOever
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Microbiology, New York University, 430 E 29th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Olivier Elemento
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine and Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction and Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Lionel B. Ivashkiv
- HSS Research Institute and David Z. Rosensweig Genomics Research Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Robert E. Schwartz
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Franck J. Barrat
- HSS Research Institute and David Z. Rosensweig Genomics Research Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
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45
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Gomez-Lopez N, Romero R, Escobar MF, Carvajal JA, Echavarria MP, Albornoz LL, Nasner D, Miller D, Gallo DM, Galaz J, Arenas-Hernandez M, Bhatti G, Done B, Zambrano MA, Ramos I, Fernandez PA, Posada L, Chaiworapongsa T, Jung E, Garcia-Flores V, Suksai M, Gotsch F, Bosco M, Than NG, Tarca AL. Pregnancy-specific responses to COVID-19 are revealed by high-throughput proteomics of human plasma. RESEARCH SQUARE 2022:rs.3.rs-1906806. [PMID: 36032966 PMCID: PMC9413722 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1906806/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Pregnant women are at greater risk of adverse outcomes, including mortality, as well as obstetrical complications resulting from COVID-19. However, pregnancy-specific changes that underlie such worsened outcomes remain unclear. Herein, we profiled the plasma proteome of pregnant and non-pregnant COVID-19 patients and controls and showed alterations that display a dose-response relationship with disease severity; yet, such proteomic perturbations are dampened during pregnancy. In both pregnant and non-pregnant state, the proteome response induced by COVID-19 showed enrichment of mediators implicated in cytokine storm, endothelial dysfunction, and angiogenesis. Shared and pregnancy-specific proteomic changes were identified: pregnant women display a tailored response that may protect the conceptus from heightened inflammation, while non-pregnant individuals display a stronger response to repel infection. Furthermore, the plasma proteome can accurately identify COVID-19 patients, even when asymptomatic or with mild symptoms. This study represents the most comprehensive characterization of the plasma proteome of pregnant and non-pregnant COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - María Fernanda Escobar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fundacion Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Javier Andres Carvajal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fundacion Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Maria Paula Echavarria
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fundacion Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Ludwig L. Albornoz
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Daniela Nasner
- Centro de Investigaciones Clínicas, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
| | - Derek Miller
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Dahiana M. Gallo
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Jose Galaz
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marcia Arenas-Hernandez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Gaurav Bhatti
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Bogdan Done
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Maria Andrea Zambrano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Isabella Ramos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Paula Andrea Fernandez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Leandro Posada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Tinnakorn Chaiworapongsa
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Eunjung Jung
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Valeria Garcia-Flores
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Manaphat Suksai
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Francesca Gotsch
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Mariachiara Bosco
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Nandor Gabor Than
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Maternity Private Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Budapest, Hungary
- First Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Adi L. Tarca
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS); Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Wayne State University College of Engineering, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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46
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Alshawaf E, Hammad MM, Marafie SK, Ali H, Al-Mulla F, Abubaker J, Mohammad A. Discovery of natural products to block SARS-CoV-2 S-protein interaction with Neuropilin-1 receptor: A molecular dynamics simulation approach. Microb Pathog 2022; 170:105701. [PMID: 35963279 PMCID: PMC9364730 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) is a widely expressed cell surface receptor protein characterized by its pleiotropic function. Recent reports highlighted NRP1 as an additional entry point of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, enhancing viral infectivity by interacting with the S-protein of SARS-CoV-2. The ubiquitous distribution and mechanism of action of NRP1 enable the SARS-CoV-2 virus to attack multiple organs in the body simultaneously. Therefore, blocking NRP1 is a potential therapeutic approach against SARS-CoV-2 infection. The current study screened the South African natural compounds database (SANCDB) for molecules that can disrupt the SARS-CoV-2 S protein-NRP1 interaction as a potential antiviral target for SARS-CoV-2 cellular entry. Following excessive screening and validation analysis 3-O-Methylquercetin and Esculetin were identified as potential compounds to disrupt the S-protein-NRP1 interaction. Furthermore, to understand the conformational stability and dynamic features between NRP1 interaction with the selected natural products, we performed 200 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In addition, molecular mechanics-generalized Born surface area (MM/GBSA) was utilized to calculate the free binding energies of the natural products interacting with NRP1. 3-O-methylquercetin showed an inhibitory effect with binding energies ΔG of -25.52 ± 0.04 kcal/mol to NRP1, indicating the possible disruption of the NRP1-S-protein interaction. Our analysis demonstrated that 3-O-methylquercetin presents a potential antiviral compound against SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. These results set the path for future functional in-vitro and in-vivo studies in SARS-CoV-2 research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman Alshawaf
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman, Kuwait, 15462
| | - Maha M Hammad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman, Kuwait, 15462
| | - Sulaiman K Marafie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman, Kuwait, 15462
| | - Hamad Ali
- Faculty of Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences 2, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Health Sciences Center (HSC), Kuwait University, Jabriya, Kuwait University, Kuwait; Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman, Kuwait, 15462
| | - Fahd Al-Mulla
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman, Kuwait, 15462
| | - Jehad Abubaker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman, Kuwait, 15462
| | - Anwar Mohammad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman, Kuwait, 15462.
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Placental Characteristics of a Large Italian Cohort of SARS-CoV-2-Positive Pregnant Women. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071435. [PMID: 35889153 PMCID: PMC9317507 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The variety of placental morphological findings with SARS-CoV-2 maternal infections has raised the issue of poor agreement in histopathological evaluation. The aims of this study were: to describe the histopathological placental features of a large sample of SARS-CoV-2-positive women who gave birth in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic, to analyse the factors underlying these lesions, and to analyse the impact of placental impairment on perinatal outcomes. From 25 February 2020 to 30 June 2021, experienced perinatal pathologists examined 975 placentas of SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers enrolled in a national prospective study, adopting the Amsterdam Consensus Statement protocol. The main results included the absence of specific pathological findings for SARS-CoV-2 infections, even though a high proportion of placentas showed signs of inflammation, possibly related to a cytokine storm induced by the virus, without significant perinatal consequences. Further research is needed to better define the clinical implications of placental morphology in SARS-CoV-2 infections, but the results of this large cohort suggest that placentas do not seem to be a preferential target for the new Coronavirus infection.
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Awoyemi T, Iaccarino DA, Motta-Mejia C, Raiss S, Kandzija N, Zhang W, Vatish M. Neuropilin-1 is uniquely expressed on small syncytiotrophoblast extracellular vesicles but not on medium/large vesicles from preeclampsia and normal placentae. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 619:151-158. [PMID: 35760012 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.06.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystem progressive hypertensive disorder unique to human pregnancy. The placenta is fundamental to its pathogenesis and releases placental factors as well as extracellular vesicles (small and medium/large syncytiotrophoblast extracellular vesicles (STB-EVs)) as a response to syncytiotrophoblast stress such as tissue factor and plasminogen activator inhibitors 1. Neuropilin 1 (NRP-1) is an anti-angiogenic factor involved in development, angiogenesis, arteriogenesis, and vascular permeability. NRP-1 acts as a co-receptor for growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), placenta growth factor (PLGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Given the documented pro and anti-angiogenic roles of STB-EVs, we hypothesized that 1) STB-EVs might express NRP-1; and 2) the expression of NRP-1 might differ between normal and preeclampsia STB-EVs. METHODS We isolated STB-EVs (both small and medium/large) from PE and NP placentae using the physiologic ex vivo dual lobe perfusion model. The enriched STB-EVs were characterized by Western blot, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) according to the international society of extracellular vesicles (ISEV) guidelines. We assessed for NRP-1 expression with Western blot (placenta and STB-EVs) and immunohistochemistry (placenta). We performed co-expression analysis for placenta alkaline phosphatase (PLAP - a known STB-EV marker) and NRP-1 with immunoprecipitation followed by Western blot. RESULTS We confirmed NRP-1 expression in NP and PE placenta. We showed that NRP-1 Expression was limited to small syncytiotrophoblast membrane extracellular vesicles (S STB-EVs) but not medium/large STB-EVs and that NRP-1 is co-expressed with PLAP. CONCLUSION Neuropilin-1 is uniquely expressed on small syncytiotrophoblast extracellular vesicles but not on medium/large vesicles from preeclampsia and normal placentae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toluwalase Awoyemi
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Daniela A Iaccarino
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Genomic Unit for the Diagnosis of Human Pathologies, Italy
| | - Carolina Motta-Mejia
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sina Raiss
- S Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Neva Kandzija
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Wei Zhang
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Manu Vatish
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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Meng X, Zhu K, Wang J, Liu P. Can SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant women affect the hearing of their newborns: A systematic review. Am J Otolaryngol 2022; 43:103523. [PMID: 35691051 PMCID: PMC9161687 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2022.103523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused over 500 million confirmed cases (including pregnant women) worldwide. Recently, hearing status in newborns born to mothers with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has received attention. This systematic review outlines the current knowledge regarding the effects of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy on newborn hearing. Intrauterine SARS-CoV-2 infection has the potential to affect the auditory system of the newborn due to intrauterine hypoxia and vertical transmission. SARS-CoV-2 might have a greater influence on hearing loss (HL) in newborns during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Therefore, all newborns whose mothers had COVID-19 during pregnancy should be evaluated for cochlear function, regardless of whether their mothers were symptomatic at the time of the disease. However, the understanding of this issue is not consistent and remains controversial. Since early identification and intervention of congenital HL are crucial to the language development of newborns, newborns should be provided with audiological evaluation by various approaches, including Tele-audiology, in the COVID-19 era.
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Dauby N, Flamand V. From maternal breath to infant's cells: Impact of maternal respiratory infections on infants 'immune responses. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:1046100. [PMID: 36419921 PMCID: PMC9676445 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.1046100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In utero exposure to maternally-derived antigens following chronic infection is associated with modulation of infants 'immune response, differential susceptibility to post-natal infections and immune response toward vaccines. The maternal environment, both internal (microbiota) and external (exposure to environmental microbes) also modulates infant's immune response but also the clinical phenotype after birth. Vertical transmission of ubiquitous respiratory pathogens such as influenza and COVID-19 is uncommon. Evidence suggest that in utero exposure to maternal influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections may have a significant impact on the developing immune system with activation of both innate and adaptive responses, possibly related to placental inflammation. Here in, we review how maternal respiratory infections, associated with airway, systemic and placental inflammation but also changes in maternal microbiota might impact infant's immune responses after birth. The clinical impact of immune modifications observed following maternal respiratory infections remains unexplored. Given the high frequencies of respiratory infections during pregnancy (COVID-19, influenza but also RSV and HMPV), the impact on global child health could be important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Dauby
- Institute for Medical Immunology, ULB Center for Research in Immunology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Infectious Diseases, CHU Saint-Pierre, Brussels, Belgium.,School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Véronique Flamand
- Institute for Medical Immunology, ULB Center for Research in Immunology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
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