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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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