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Updated: Oct 10, 2025
In Vitro Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Trophoblastic Cells
Published on: March 16, 2017
Flavivirus replication kinetics in early-term placental cell lines with different differentiation pathways
Julio Carrera1,2, Alice M Trenerry1, Cameron P Simmons2
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Peter Doherty for Infection and Immunity, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
Background:
The uncontrollable spread of Zika virus (ZIKV) in the Americas during 2015-2017, and its causal link to microcephaly in newborns and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults, led the World Health Organisation to declare it a global public health emergency. One of the most notable features of ZIKV pathogenesis was the ability of the virus to pass the placental barrier to infect the growing foetus. This pathogenic trait had not been observed previously for medically important flaviviruses, including dengue and yellow fever viruses.
Methods:
In this study we evaluated the replication kinetics of ZIKV and the related encephalitic flavivirus West Nile strain Kunjin virus (WNVKUN) in early-term placental cell lines.
Results:
We have observed that WNVKUN in fact replicates with a greater rate and to higher titres that ZIKV in these cell lines.
Conclusions:
These results would indicate the potential for all flaviviruses to replicate in placental tissue but it is the ability to cross the placenta itself that is the restrictive factor in the clinical progression and presentation of congenital Zika syndrome.
