The overarching goal of this application is to decipher novel mechanisms utilized by human placental trophoblasts to resist viral infections and to communicate antiviral signals locally and systemically. Hematogenous spread of microbes from the maternal host to the placenta can have devastating consequences to the developing embryo. Moreover, even in the absence of vertical transmission, viral pathogens that compromise maternal health may jeopardize pregnancy outcome. Located in direct contact with maternal blood, the placental trophoblasts constitute the cardinal feto-placental barrier, and are capable of interfacing with the maternal local and systemic environments, including components of the maternal immune system and cellular barriers such as the microvascular endothelium. The proposed research represents the synergistic interaction of expertise in virology and placental biology, resulting in a transdisciplinary pursuit that integrates the function of trophoblast-specific microRNAs with distinctive cellular pathways that suppress viral replication. Our preliminary data indicate that primary human trophoblasts are highly resistant to infection by a wide range of unrelated viruses, and that non-trophoblastic cells can be endowed with this resistance by targeted expression of primary trophoblasts-derived microRNAs. We plan to identify the specific microRNAs that mediate this effect, and define mechanisms of microRNA transport to non-trophoblastic target cells, where they stimulate autophagy as a means to attenuate viral replication. We will analyze the role of trophoblastic microRNAs in the regulation of autophagy, and examine the pathways that may allow certain viruses to evade this line of cellular defense. Thus, our grant proposal goes beyond investigation of the mechanisms of virus-induced injury, and instead identifies exciting new molecular pathways that may transfer innate and adaptive responses to virus infection. Together, we identified a novel pathway for transmissible placental resistance to viral pathogens. In deciphering the underlying mechanisms that constitute this pathway we may not only illuminate the basis of trophoblast resistance to pathogens, but also inform the development of innovative therapeutics designed to mitigate and/or prevent viral infections, thus reducing the burden of infection related feto-maternal morbidity and mortality.

Public Health Relevance

Infections by viral pathogens during pregnancy are a significant source of maternal morbidity, and can have devastating developmental consequences to the embryo, including pregnancy loss. We have uncovered an extraordinary placental defense mechanism to suppress viral infections of placental and non-placental cells, which may play a pivotal role in developing strategies for mitigating pathogen-mediated placental infection and feto-maternal disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD075665-04
Application #
8857141
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAI1)
Program Officer
Miodovnik, Menachem
Project Start
2012-09-10
Project End
2016-05-31
Budget Start
2015-06-01
Budget End
2016-05-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Magee-Women's Research Institute and Foundation
Department
Type
DUNS #
119132785
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Paquette, Alison G; Chu, Tianjiao; Wu, Xiaogang et al. (2018) Distinct communication patterns of trophoblastic miRNA among the maternal-placental-fetal compartments. Placenta 72-73:28-35
Ander, Stephanie E; Rudzki, Elizabeth N; Arora, Nitin et al. (2018) Human Placental Syncytiotrophoblasts Restrict Toxoplasma gondii Attachment and Replication and Respond to Infection by Producing Immunomodulatory Chemokines. MBio 9:
Yockey, Laura J; Jurado, Kellie A; Arora, Nitin et al. (2018) Type I interferons instigate fetal demise after Zika virus infection. Sci Immunol 3:
Platt, Derek J; Smith, Amber M; Arora, Nitin et al. (2018) Zika virus-related neurotropic flaviviruses infect human placental explants and cause fetal demise in mice. Sci Transl Med 10:
Wells, Alexandra I; Coyne, Carolyn B (2018) Type III Interferons in Antiviral Defenses at Barrier Surfaces. Trends Immunol 39:848-858
Bayer, Avraham; Lennemann, Nicholas J; Ouyang, Yingshi et al. (2018) Chromosome 19 microRNAs exert antiviral activity independent from type III interferon signaling. Placenta 61:33-38
Arora, Nitin; Sadovsky, Yoel; Dermody, Terence S et al. (2017) Microbial Vertical Transmission during Human Pregnancy. Cell Host Microbe 21:561-567
Jagger, Brett W; Miner, Jonathan J; Cao, Bin et al. (2017) Gestational Stage and IFN-? Signaling Regulate ZIKV Infection In Utero. Cell Host Microbe 22:366-376.e3
Chang, Guojing; Mouillet, Jean-François; Mishima, Takuya et al. (2017) Expression and trafficking of placental microRNAs at the feto-maternal interface. FASEB J 31:2760-2770
Dumont, Tina M F; Mouillet, Jean-Francois; Bayer, Avaraham et al. (2017) The expression level of C19MC miRNAs in early pregnancy and in response to viral infection. Placenta 53:23-29

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