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Updated: May 22, 2025
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Human Placental and Decidual Organ Cultures to Study Infections at the Maternal-fetal Interface
Published on: July 21, 2016
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Human placental models for studying viral infections
Charlène Martin1, Mathilde Bergamelli2, Hélène Martin1
1Institut Toulousain des Maladies Infectieuses et Inflammatoires (Infinity), Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France.
Current Opinion in Virology
|March 14, 2025
Summary
Understanding how viruses interact with the placenta is vital for maternal and infant health. Human placental models help study viral infections during pregnancy and develop protective strategies.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Viral infections in pregnancy pose significant risks to maternal, fetal, and neonatal health.
- Vertical transmission of viruses from mother to child is a major concern.
- The placenta plays a critical role in maternal-fetal communication and is a site of viral interaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in human placental models for studying virus-placenta interactions.
- To analyze the advantages and limitations of various placental models.
- To discuss the potential of these models in improving understanding and management of viral infections during pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing in vitro and ex vivo human placental models.
- Detailed study of viral entry, replication, and immune responses within the placenta.
- Evaluation of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches using these models.
Main Results:
- Human placental models allow in-depth dissection of virus-placenta interactions.
- These models are effective tools for analyzing the impact of viruses on pregnancy outcomes.
- Models provide platforms for testing interventions against viral infections in pregnancy.
Conclusions:
- Human placental models are crucial for understanding virus-placenta dynamics.
- Further research using these models can lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
- Enhanced understanding of these interactions will contribute to better maternal and fetal health outcomes.
