Cell Host & Microbe
Volume 20, Issue 1, 13 July 2016, Pages 83-90
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Short Article
Zika Virus Infects Human Placental Macrophages

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2016.05.015Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Zika virus (ZIKV) infects and replicates in primary human placental macrophages

  • ZIKV also infects human placental cytotrophoblasts, but with delayed replication kinetics

  • ZIKV replication coincides with IFN and antiviral gene induction, but minimal cell death

Summary

The recent Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in Brazil has been directly linked to increased cases of microcephaly in newborns. Current evidence indicates that ZIKV is transmitted vertically from mother to fetus. However, the mechanism of intrauterine transmission and the cell types involved remain unknown. We demonstrate that the contemporary ZIKV strain PRVABC59 (PR 2015) infects and replicates in primary human placental macrophages, called Hofbauer cells, and to a lesser extent in cytotrophoblasts, isolated from villous tissue of full-term placentae. Viral replication coincides with induction of type I interferon (IFN), pro-inflammatory cytokines, and antiviral gene expression, but with minimal cell death. Our results suggest a mechanism for intrauterine transmission in which ZIKV gains access to the fetal compartment by directly infecting placental cells and disrupting the placental barrier.

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