[HTML][HTML] Zika virus productively infects primary human placenta-specific macrophages

KA Jurado, MK Simoni, Z Tang, R Uraki, J Hwang… - JCI insight, 2016 - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
KA Jurado, MK Simoni, Z Tang, R Uraki, J Hwang, S Householder, M Wu, BD Lindenbach
JCI insight, 2016ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The strong association of Zika virus infection with congenital defects has led to questions of
how a flavivirus is capable of crossing the placental barrier to reach the fetal brain. Here, we
demonstrate permissive Zika virus infection of primary human placental macrophages,
commonly referred to as Hofbauer cells, and placental villous fibroblasts. We also
demonstrate Zika virus infection of Hofbauer cells within the context of the tissue ex vivo
using term placental villous explants. In addition to amplifying infectious virus within a …
Abstract
The strong association of Zika virus infection with congenital defects has led to questions of how a flavivirus is capable of crossing the placental barrier to reach the fetal brain. Here, we demonstrate permissive Zika virus infection of primary human placental macrophages, commonly referred to as Hofbauer cells, and placental villous fibroblasts. We also demonstrate Zika virus infection of Hofbauer cells within the context of the tissue ex vivo using term placental villous explants. In addition to amplifying infectious virus within a usually inaccessible area, the putative migratory activities of Hofbauer cells may aid in dissemination of Zika virus to the fetal brain. Understanding the susceptibility of placenta-specific cell types will aid future work around and understanding of Zika virus–associated pregnancy complications.
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