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Published on: January 8, 2012
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Oropouche virus infects human trophoblasts and placenta explants
Christina J Megli1,2, Rebecca K Zack3, Jackson J McGaughey4
1University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Reproductive Infectious Disease, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. meglicj@upmc.edu.
Nature Communications
|July 2, 2025
Summary
Oropouche virus (OROV) infection during pregnancy is linked to severe outcomes. This study shows OROV infects maternal-fetal interface tissues, suggesting a mechanism for vertical transmission and adverse pregnancy events.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The 2023-24 Oropouche virus (OROV) outbreak shows increased disease severity and adverse pregnancy outcomes like miscarriage and stillbirth.
- Vertical transmission is suspected, but OROV's interaction with maternal-fetal interface tissues and transmission mechanisms remain unstudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate OROV's ability to infect and replicate within human maternal-fetal interface tissues.
- To elucidate potential mechanisms of OROV vertical transmission and its impact on pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized human cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast stem cell cultures.
- Employed polarized trophoblast stem cell organoids and placenta explants for infection studies.
- Infected tissues with OROV (BeAn19991) and assessed viral replication.
Main Results:
- OROV successfully infected and replicated in human cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts.
- Robust viral replication was observed within 24 hours post-infection.
- Infection susceptibility may vary with gestational age.
Conclusions:
- Human maternal-fetal interface tissues are susceptible to OROV infection.
- These tissues may serve as a route for vertical transmission, contributing to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
- Further research is needed to understand gestational age-dependent susceptibility and precise transmission pathways.
