Activation of human placental villi with toll-like receptor 4 agonist during in vitro infection by Zika vírus

Author(s)

Anna Cláudia Calvielli Castelo Branco

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2019-01-18

Examining board members

Maria Notomi Sato; Ana Campa; Luciana Barros de Arruda Hinds; Joilson de Oliveira Martins

• Advisor: Maria Notomi Sato

Abstract

The Zika virus (ZIKV) belongs to the flaviviridae family that includes species transmitted mainly by mosquitoes Aedes sp. In Brazil, cases of fetal microcephaly were associated with ZIKV congenital infection. Several mechanisms of immunoregulation operative during gestation as the inflammation generated and antiviral response are vital for the understanding of congenital ZIKV infection. Thus, it is proposed to evaluate whether inflammation via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4-LPS) activation in human and murine placental villi interferes with ZIKV infection. For this, human placental explants of 3rd trimester were activated with LPS and later infected with ZIKV. Our findings show that LPS activation is capable of increasing ZIKV replication in placental villi and elevating the enzymatic activity of lactate dehydrogenase, indicative of cellular activation. Viral replication was inhibited with the treatment of explants with an antioxidant, Naringenin, showing therapeutic potential. LPS placental activation inhibited the IRF-3 pathway, decreasing antiviral activity and increasing protein cleavage of the autophagy pathway component LC3, and these mechanisms may be related to increased viral replication. In parallel, increased production of inflammatory cytokines and Hofbauer cell hyperplasia were detected in inflamed and infected explants, indicating that these fetal macrophages may be a niche for viral replication. In the murine model, we demonstrated that the intravaginal inoculation of LPS in pregnant females prior to infection with ZIKV is able to promote the increase of viral load in the brains of mothers and offspring, with worsening of the microcephaly in fetuses. Together, the data show that in the model of human placental explant and, in vivo, in mice, inflammation is a predisposing factor of ZIKV replication. Immunomodulatory strategies show therapeutic potential, attenuating the inflammatory response and decreasing viral replication. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/24680-9 - Evaluation of inflammation of human villous trophoblasts in Zika and dengue virus
• Grantee: Anna Cláudia Calvielli Castelo Branco
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master