Maternal-Fetal Interplay in Zika Virus Infection and Adverse Perinatal Outcomes

Author(s)

Teixeira, Franciane Mouradian Emidio ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Pietrobon, Anna Julia ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Oliveira, Luana de Mendonca ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Oliveira, Luanda Mara da Silva ^{[1, 3]} ; Sato, Maria Notomi ^{[1, 2, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Trop Med Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Immunol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Lab Dermatol & Immunodeficiencies, Sch Med, Dept Dermatol, LIM 56, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY; v. 11, FEB 14 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

During pregnancy, the organization of complex tolerance mechanisms occurs to assure non-rejection of the semiallogeneic fetus. Pregnancy is a period of vulnerability to some viral infections, mainly during the first and second trimesters, that may cause congenital damage to the fetus. Recently, Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has gained great notoriety due to the occurrence of congenital ZIKV syndrome, characterized by fetal microcephaly, which results from the ability of ZIKV to infect placental cells and neural precursors in the fetus. Importantly, in addition to the congenital effects, studies have shown that perinatal ZIKV infection causes a number of disorders, including maculopapular rash, conjunctivitis, and arthralgia. In this paper, we contextualize the immunological aspects involved in the maternal-fetal interface and vulnerability to ZIKV infection, especially the alterations resulting in perinatal outcomes. This highlights the need to develop protective maternal vaccine strategies or interventions that are capable of preventing fetal or even neonatal infection. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/18199-9 - Effect of maternal supplementation with retinoic acid during breastfeeding on the immune response of mice offspring
• Grantee: Maria Notomi Sato
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/18230-6 - Evaluation of the efficacy of the Zika Virus chimeric DNA vaccine and the lysosomal-associated membrane protein in mice
• Grantee: Franciane Mouradian Emidio Teixeira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate