Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2025
A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks
Published on: June 26, 2020
Severe maternal-fetal pathological damage and inflammatory responses contribute to miscarriage caused by hepatitis E
Yueping Xia1, Weimin Yang1, Yi Li1
1Life Science and Technology & Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, People's Republic of China.
Background:
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection causes serious adverse pregnancy outcomes during pregnancy. However, the maternal and fetal damage induced by HEV infection is rarely reported.
Methods:
A BALB/c pregnant mouse model was established to explore the maternal and fetal pathological damage and inflammatory responses caused by HEV infection.
Results:
Notably, miscarriages and stillbirths were observed in HEV-infected pregnant mice. HEV infections were identified by qRT-PCR, immunohistochemical analysis and immunofluorescence assay in the uterus, placenta, umbilical cords and livers and brains of fetuses. Serious inflammatory responses and pathological damage were triggered in the uterus and placenta of HEV-infected pregnant mice. Vertical transmission of HEV resulted in severe pathological damage and inflammatory responses in the livers and brains of fetuses, as well as emerging apoptosis cells in the brains of fetuses. Most of the cytokines/chemokines in the sera were significantly increased in the HEV-infected pregnant mice. Remarkably, cytokines/chemokines were significantly different between HEV-infected pregnant and miscarriage mice; IL9, GM-CSF and IL1α were the most important three cytokines/chemokines in determining the pregnancy outcomes.
Conclusion:
HEV infections cause serious maternal/fetal pathological damage, inflammatory responses and apoptosis, which may be responsible for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
More Related Videos
08:50A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
Published on: June 24, 2020
07:13Induction of Maternal Immune Activation in Mice at Mid-gestation Stage with Viral Mimic PolyI:C
Published on: March 25, 2016
Related Concept Videos
01:07Teratogenicity
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:20Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...