Experimental respiratory syncytial virus infection during pregnancy: maternal-fetal susceptibility and protection via lactation.

• Grant number: 24/05890-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Eurico de Arruda Neto
• Grantee: Matheus Henrique Pereira da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/26119-0 - Emerging and re-emerging viruses: biology, pathogenesis and prospection, AP.TEM

Abstract

Respiratory virus infections are common throughout life and are often self-resolving. However, in pregnant women, these infections can be more dangerous due to immunophysiological changes caused by pregnancy. The syncytial virus (RSV) is considered the most important viral agent of pediatric lower tract diseases, affecting mainly neonates and children under 5 years of age. Despite this, studies addressing fetal maternal susceptibility to RSV infection during pregnancy and protection transmitted via lactation are limited. Preliminarily, our research group showed that pups gestated and nursed in RSV-infected female mice, when challenged with the virus after birth, have significantly lower lung viral load compared to control animals, we also identified the presence of a viral genome in the mammary glands of infected females. However, we demonstrated that primary mouse placental cells are permissive to RSV infection in vitro. Based on this, the present proposal aims to investigate the impact of RSV infection during pregnancy and lactation on the immunity and susceptibility of adult females and their profiles. Using an experimental model of vertical transmission, standardized in our laboratory, the presence of genome, viral proteins and infectious particles will be assessed in placentas, fetuses, mammary glands and milk from females infected during pregnancy. Furthermore, the immune response and susceptibility profile of infected females and offspring challenged with the virus after birth will be characterized.