» Articles » PMID: 35893684

Usutu Virus Infects Human Placental Explants and Induces Congenital Defects in Mice

Overview
Journal Viruses
Publisher MDPI
Specialty Microbiology
Date 2022 Jul 27
PMID 35893684
Authors
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

Usutu virus (USUV) is a neurotropic mosquito-borne flavivirus that has dispersed quickly in Europe these past years. This arbovirus mainly follows an enzootic cycle involving mosquitoes and birds, but can also infect other mammals, causing notably sporadic cases in humans. Although it is mainly asymptomatic or responsible for mild clinical symptoms, USUV has been associated with neurological disorders, such as encephalitis and meningoencephalitis, highlighting the potential health threat of this virus. Among the different transmission routes described for other flaviviruses, the capacity for some of them to be transmitted vertically has been demonstrated, notably for Zika virus or West Nile virus, which are closely related to USUV. To evaluate the ability of USUV to replicate in the placenta and gain access to the fetus, we combined the use of several trophoblast model cell lines, ex vivo human placental explant cultures from first and third trimester of pregnancy, and in vivo USUV-infected pregnant mice. Our data demonstrate that human placental cells and tissues are permissive to USUV replication, and suggest that viral transmission can occur in mice during gestation. Hence, our observations suggest that USUV could be efficiently transmitted by the vertical route.

Citing Articles

The role of small extracellular vesicles in spreading and inhibiting arthropod-borne diseases.

Owliaee I, Khaledian M, Shojaeian A, Boroujeni A GMS Hyg Infect Control. 2024; 19:Doc48.

PMID: 39553300 PMC: 11565596. DOI: 10.3205/dgkh000503.

References
1.
Pecorari M, Longo G, Gennari W, Grottola A, Sabbatini A, Tagliazucchi S . First human case of Usutu virus neuroinvasive infection, Italy, August-September 2009. Euro Surveill. 2010; 14(50). View

2.
Julander J, Winger Q, Olsen A, Day C, Sidwell R, Morrey J . Treatment of West Nile virus-infected mice with reactive immunoglobulin reduces fetal titers and increases dam survival. Antiviral Res. 2005; 65(2):79-85. DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2004.10.005. View

3.
. Microcephaly in Infants, Pernambuco State, Brazil, 2015. Emerg Infect Dis. 2016; 22(6):1090-1093. PMC: 4880105. DOI: 10.3201/eid2206.160062. View

4.
Bayer A, Lennemann N, Ouyang Y, Bramley J, Morosky S, Marques Jr E . Type III Interferons Produced by Human Placental Trophoblasts Confer Protection against Zika Virus Infection. Cell Host Microbe. 2016; 19(5):705-12. PMC: 4866896. DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2016.03.008. View

5.
Miner J, Cao B, Govero J, Smith A, Fernandez E, Cabrera O . Zika Virus Infection during Pregnancy in Mice Causes Placental Damage and Fetal Demise. Cell. 2016; 165(5):1081-1091. PMC: 4874881. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.05.008. View