Pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus induces a potent innate immune response in human chorionic cells

To understand the mechanistic basis for the reported outcomes of influenza A virus (IAV) infection during pregnancy, the effects of mouse adapted and pandemic (pdm) IAV infection in human choriocarcinoma cells were examined. Both viruses were able to infect and replicate in human placental cells, with pdm IAV being more apoptotic. A strong induction of innate signaling molecules, type I interferon and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, were associated with pdm IAV infection of human placental cells, with implications for adverse immediate and late outcomes during pregnancy.