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Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
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Use of In vivo Imaging to Monitor the Progression of Experimental Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neonates
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Prior Cytomegalovirus Infection Shapes Lymphocyte Activation and Function During Pregnancy.

Miguel Ângelo-Dias1,2, Catarina Gregório Martins1,2, Mariana Apolinário Mata1

  • 1Immunology Department, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|April 14, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection alters immune cell function in pregnant women, enhancing T cell activation without causing systemic inflammation. This study reveals specific immune adaptations during pregnancy in CMV-seropositive individuals.

Keywords:
B cellsT cellscytokinescytomegalovirusimmune profilepregnancy

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Maternal-fetal immunology
  • Infectious disease immunology

Background:

  • Pregnancy involves complex immune adaptations to tolerate the fetus while fighting infections.
  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection significantly impacts adult immune cell differentiation and activation.
  • The interplay between CMV infection and pregnancy-associated immune changes requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively analyze immune profiles in pregnant women across trimesters, stratified by CMV serostatus.
  • To investigate the impact of CMV infection on maternal immune cell subsets and cytokine production during pregnancy.
  • To compare immune responses in CMV-seropositive and CMV-seronegative pregnant women versus nonpregnant controls.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective longitudinal study design.
  • Multiparametric flow cytometry for T and B cell subset characterization and cytokine analysis.
  • Multiplex immunoassay for quantifying circulating cytokines and adhesion molecules.

Main Results:

  • Gestational age was the primary driver of leukocyte dynamics.
  • CMV-seropositive pregnant women exhibited increased activation and differentiation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells compared to controls.
  • Despite cellular differences, serum cytokine and adhesion molecule levels were similar across CMV serostatus groups.
  • CMV-seropositive women showed an enrichment of IFN-γ- and IL-21-producing T cells, with IL-10-dominated B cell responses.

Conclusions:

  • Pregnancy in CMV-seropositive women is associated with selective alterations in maternal lymphocyte activation and function.
  • These immune changes occur without evidence of systemic inflammation during gestation.
  • Findings highlight specific immune adaptations in response to CMV during the unique immunological state of pregnancy.