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Apoptosis in cultured human fetal membrane cells infected with influenza virus

Noboru Uchide1, Kunio Ohyama, Toshio Bessho

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy & Life Science, Hachioji, Japan. uchide@ps.toyaku.ac.jp

Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin
|February 5, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Influenza virus infects human fetal membrane cells, inducing apoptosis in chorion cells but not amnion cells. This viral replication is linked to programmed cell death, offering insights into fetal membrane responses to infection.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Apoptosis Research

Background:

  • Human fetal membranes play a crucial role in pregnancy.
  • Viral infections during pregnancy can pose risks to both mother and fetus.
  • Understanding cellular responses to viral pathogens is vital for maternal-fetal health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the induction of apoptosis in human fetal membrane cells upon infection with influenza virus type A.
  • To determine the differential cellular response of chorion and amnion cells to influenza virus infection.
  • To explore the relationship between influenza virus replication and apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Primary culture of human fetal membrane cells (chorion and amnion).
  • Infection of cultured cells with influenza virus type A.
  • Measurement of viral yield in cell supernatants.
  • Assessment of chromosomal DNA fragmentation (apoptosis marker).
  • Treatment with ribavirin (viral RNA synthesis inhibitor).

Main Results:

  • Influenza virus replicated in both chorion and amnion cells.
  • Significant DNA fragmentation (apoptosis) observed in chorion cells 24-48 hours post-infection.
  • No typical DNA ladder formation indicative of apoptosis in infected amnion cells.
  • Ribavirin treatment reduced viral yield and inhibited DNA fragmentation in chorion cells.
  • Apoptosis induction was dependent on the multiplicity of infection.

Conclusions:

  • Influenza virus infects human fetal membrane cells, with chorion cells undergoing apoptosis.
  • Amnion cells are infected but do not exhibit typical DNA laddering characteristic of apoptosis.
  • Influenza virus replication is associated with the induction of apoptosis in susceptible fetal membrane cells.
  • These findings highlight differential cellular susceptibility to viral-induced apoptosis within the human fetal membrane.

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