Impairment of first-trimester trophoblast cell function by ZIKV infection. Role of VIP in the trophoblast response to the virus.

D. VOTA, D. PAPARINI , F. TORTI, F. MERECH, V. HAUK, F. GIOVANNONI, G. CALO, R. RAMHORST, C. GARCIA, C. PÉREZ LEIRÓS.

Buenos Aires

Congreso; International Federation of Placenta Association meeting 2019; 2019

Objective: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy leads to an increased risk of fetal growth restriction and altered central nervous system development. We have previously demonstrated that the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) favors immune homeostasis maintenance and increases trophoblast cell (Tb) migration at early pregnancy. Our aim is to study the mechanisms of ZIKV infection in first-trimester human Tb cells and the effect of VIP in the Tb response to the virus. Material and Methods: We infected first-trimester Tb-derived cell line Swan-71 with an isolated local ZIKV strain in the presence/absence of VIP. Tb migration was assessed in wound healing assays and RNA expression by RT- qPCR. PBMC from healthy volunteers were conditioned with Tb cell media from Tb-infected cells to analyze migration and functional profile. Results: High intracellular levels of viral RNA at 48 h post infection (n=5; p