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Updated: Oct 30, 2025

Zika Virus Infectious Cell Culture System and the In Vitro Prophylactic Effect of Interferons
Published on: August 23, 2016
Pregnancy complications and Interferon-induced transmembrane proteins (IFITM): balancing antiviral immunity and
Julian Buchrieser1,2, Olivier Schwartz1,2
1CNRS-UMR3569, Paris, France.
Abstract:
Pregnancy complications occur frequently and are particularly prevalent during the first trimester. They are caused by a multitude of factors, including karyotypic, genetic or environmental conditions, congenital infections and inflammation. The molecular mechanisms leading to placental complications under inflammatory conditions remain unclear. In this review, we discuss how uncontrolled inflammation, triggered by viral infections or other diseases can lead to placental complications. We first highlight the importance of syncytins, ancestral retroviral genes co-opted by mammals including humans, millions of years ago for the process of placenta formation. We then focus on recent advances elucidating how interferon-induced transmembrane (IFITM) proteins, antiviral proteins rendering cells refractory to viral infections, interfere with placental development.
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