1
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Shook LL, Batorsky RE, De Guzman RM, McCrea LT, Brigida SM, Horng JE, Sheridan SD, Kholod O, Cook AM, Li JZ, Slonim DK, Goods BA, Perlis RH, Edlow AG. Maternal SARS-CoV-2 impacts fetal placental macrophage programs and placenta-derived microglial models of neurodevelopment. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:163. [PMID: 38918792 PMCID: PMC11197235 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03157-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SARS-CoV-2 virus activates maternal and placental immune responses. Such activation in the setting of other infections during pregnancy is known to impact fetal brain development. The effects of maternal immune activation on neurodevelopment are mediated at least in part by fetal brain microglia. However, microglia are inaccessible for direct analysis, and there are no validated non-invasive surrogate models to evaluate in utero microglial priming and function. We have previously demonstrated shared transcriptional programs between microglia and Hofbauer cells (HBCs, or fetal placental macrophages) in mouse models. METHODS AND RESULTS We assessed the impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 on HBCs isolated from 24 term placentas (N = 10 SARS-CoV-2 positive cases, 14 negative controls). Using single-cell RNA-sequencing, we demonstrated that HBC subpopulations exhibit distinct cellular programs, with specific subpopulations differentially impacted by SARS-CoV-2. Assessment of differentially expressed genes implied impaired phagocytosis, a key function of both HBCs and microglia, in some subclusters. Leveraging previously validated models of microglial synaptic pruning, we showed that HBCs isolated from placentas of SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnancies can be transdifferentiated into microglia-like cells (HBC-iMGs), with impaired synaptic pruning behavior compared to HBC models from negative controls. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that HBCs isolated at birth can be used to create personalized cellular models of offspring microglial programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia L Shook
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Thier Research Building, 903B, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Rose M De Guzman
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Thier Research Building, 903B, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Liam T McCrea
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sara M Brigida
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Thier Research Building, 903B, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Joy E Horng
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven D Sheridan
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Olha Kholod
- Thayer School of Engineering and Program, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Aidan M Cook
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Jonathan Z Li
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Donna K Slonim
- Department of Computer Science, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Brittany A Goods
- Thayer School of Engineering and Program, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Roy H Perlis
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrea G Edlow
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Thier Research Building, 903B, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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2
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Li A, Schwartz DA, Vo A, VanAbel R, Coler C, Li E, Lukman B, Del Rosario B, Vong A, Li M, Adams Waldorf KM. Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy on the placenta and fetus. Semin Perinatol 2024; 48:151919. [PMID: 38897829 DOI: 10.1016/j.semperi.2024.151919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Pregnant people and their fetuses are vulnerable to adverse health outcomes from coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) due to infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 has been associated with higher rates of maternal mortality, preterm birth, and stillbirth. While SARS-CoV-2 infection of the placenta and vertical transmission is rare, this may be due to the typically longer time interval between maternal infection and testing of the placenta and neonate. Placental injury is evident in cases of SARS-CoV-2-associated stillbirth with massive perivillous fibrin deposition, chronic histiocytic intervillositis, and trophoblast necrosis. Maternal COVID-19 can also polarize fetal immunity, which may have long-term effects on neurodevelopment. Although the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the impact of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants on placental and perinatal injury/mortality remains concerning for maternal and perinatal health. Here, we highlight the impact of COVID-19 on the placenta and fetus and remaining knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - David A Schwartz
- Perinatal Pathology Consulting, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Andrew Vo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Roslyn VanAbel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Celeste Coler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America; School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Edmunda Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Bryan Lukman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Briana Del Rosario
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Ashley Vong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Miranda Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America; School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Kristina M Adams Waldorf
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America; School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America; Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America.
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3
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Dzanibe S, Wilk AJ, Canny S, Ranganath T, Alinde B, Rubelt F, Huang H, Davis MM, Holmes SP, Jaspan HB, Blish CA, Gray CM. Premature skewing of T cell receptor clonality and delayed memory expansion in HIV-exposed infants. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4080. [PMID: 38744812 PMCID: PMC11093981 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47955-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
While preventing vertical HIV transmission has been very successful, HIV-exposed uninfected infants (iHEU) experience an elevated risk to infections compared to HIV-unexposed and uninfected infants (iHUU). Here we present a longitudinal multimodal analysis of infant immune ontogeny that highlights the impact of HIV/ARV exposure. Using mass cytometry, we show alterations in T cell memory differentiation between iHEU and iHUU being significant from week 15 of life. The altered memory T cell differentiation in iHEU was preceded by lower TCR Vβ clonotypic diversity and linked to TCR clonal depletion within the naïve T cell compartment. Compared to iHUU, iHEU had elevated CD56loCD16loPerforin+CD38+CD45RA+FcεRIγ+ NK cells at 1 month postpartum and whose abundance pre-vaccination were predictive of vaccine-induced pertussis and rotavirus antibody responses post 3 months of life. Collectively, HIV/ARV exposure disrupted the trajectory of innate and adaptive immunity from birth which may underlie relative vulnerability to infections in iHEU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonwabile Dzanibe
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Aaron J Wilk
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Susan Canny
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Thanmayi Ranganath
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Berenice Alinde
- Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Research Institute, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Florian Rubelt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Huang Huang
- Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mark M Davis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Susan P Holmes
- Department of Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Heather B Jaspan
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Seattle Children's Research Institute and Department of Paediatrics and Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Catherine A Blish
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Clive M Gray
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Research Institute, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
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Shu C, Street K, Breton CV, Bastain TM, Wilson ML. A review of single-cell transcriptomics and epigenomics studies in maternal and child health. Epigenomics 2024:1-20. [PMID: 38709139 DOI: 10.1080/17501911.2024.2343276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Single-cell sequencing technologies enhance our understanding of cellular dynamics throughout pregnancy. We outlined the workflow of single-cell sequencing techniques and reviewed single-cell studies in maternal and child health. We conducted a literature review of single cell studies on maternal and child health using PubMed. We summarized the findings from 16 single-cell atlases of the human and mammalian placenta across gestational stages and 31 single-cell studies on maternal exposures and complications including infection, obesity, diet, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, environmental exposure and preterm birth. Single-cell studies provides insights on novel cell types in placenta and cell type-specific marks associated with maternal exposures and complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Shu
- Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Division of Epidemiology & Genetics, Department of Population & Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Kelly Street
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population & Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Carrie V Breton
- Division of Environmental Health, Department of Population & Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Theresa M Bastain
- Division of Environmental Health, Department of Population & Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Melissa L Wilson
- Division of Disease Prevention, Policy, & Global Health, Department of Population & Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles,CA USA
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Gilley A, Boly TJ, Paden A, Bermick J. Neonatal immune cells have heightened responses following in-utero exposure to chorioamnionitis or COVID-19. Pediatr Res 2024; 95:1483-1492. [PMID: 37949998 PMCID: PMC11082064 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02888-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chorioamnionitis alters neonatal immune responses. Gestational COVID-19 infection is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, but its impact on neonatal immunity is unclear. We hypothesized that gestational COVID-19 exposure would result in exaggerated neonatal immune responses, similar to chorioamnionitis-exposed neonates. METHODS Term umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) were isolated from neonates exposed to chorioamnionitis, gestational COVID-19 or unexposed controls. CBMCs were cultured and stimulated with heat-killed Escherichia coli, Streptococcus agalactiae or Staphylococcus epidermidis. A multiplexed protein assay was used to measure cytokine levels in cell culture supernatants and flow cytometry was used to evaluate cellular-level cytokine expression. RESULTS Both chorioamnionitis-exposed and COVID-19 exposed CBMCs demonstrated upregulation of IL-1β and IL-6 compared to unexposed CBMCs, while only COVID-19 exposure resulted in IL-8 upregulation. There were no differences between chorioamnionitis-exposed and COVID-19 exposed CBMCs when these groups were directly compared. Flow cytometry demonstrated immune cell subset specific differences in cytokine expression between the exposure groups. CONCLUSION The fetal/neonatal response to maternal inflammation differed based on immune cell subset and etiology of inflammation, but the global neonatal cytokine responses were similar between exposure groups. This suggests that targeting perinatal inflammation rather than the specific etiology may be a possible therapeutic approach. IMPACT Neonatal immune cells have similar pathogen-associated global cytokine responses, but different cell-level immune responses, following in-utero exposure to chorioamnionitis or COVID-19. This is the first study to directly compare immune responses between neonates exposed to chorioamnionitis and COVID-19. This suggests that the fetal/neonatal cellular response to perinatal inflammation differs based on the etiology and severity of maternal inflammation, but still results in a similar overall inflammatory profile regardless of the cause of perinatal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemarie Gilley
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
| | - Timothy J Boly
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Iowa Inflammation Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Austin Paden
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Iowa Inflammation Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Jennifer Bermick
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Iowa Inflammation Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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6
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Shook LL, Batorsky RA, De Guzman RM, McCrea LT, Brigida SM, Horng JE, Sheridan SD, Kholod O, Cook AM, Li JZ, Goods BA, Perlis RH, Edlow AG. Maternal SARS-CoV-2 impacts fetal placental macrophage programs and placenta-derived microglial models of neurodevelopment. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.12.29.23300544. [PMID: 38234776 PMCID: PMC10793528 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.29.23300544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus activates maternal and placental immune responses, which in the setting of other infections occurring during pregnancy are known to impact fetal brain development. The effects of maternal immune activation on neurodevelopment are mediated at least in part by fetal brain microglia. However, microglia are inaccessible for direct analysis, and there are no validated non-invasive surrogate models to evaluate in utero microglial priming and function. We have previously demonstrated shared transcriptional programs between microglia and Hofbauer cells (HBCs, or fetal placental macrophages) in mouse models. Here, we assessed the impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 on HBCs isolated from term placentas using single-cell RNA-sequencing. We demonstrated that HBC subpopulations exhibit distinct cellular programs, with specific subpopulations differentially impacted by SARS-CoV-2. Assessment of differentially expressed genes implied impaired phagocytosis, a key function of both HBCs and microglia, in some subclusters. Leveraging previously validated models of microglial synaptic pruning, we showed that HBCs isolated from placentas of SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnancies can be transdifferentiated into microglia-like cells, with altered morphology and impaired synaptic pruning behavior compared to HBC models from negative controls. These findings suggest that HBCs isolated at birth can be used to create personalized cellular models of offspring microglial programming.
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7
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Doratt BM, Sureshchandra S, True H, Rincon M, Marshall NE, Messaoudi I. Mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 in unvaccinated pregnant mothers impairs neonatal immune responses. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e172658. [PMID: 37698937 PMCID: PMC10629812 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.172658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers placental inflammation and alters cord blood immune cell composition. However, most studies focus on outcomes of severe maternal infection. Therefore, we analyzed cord blood and chorionic villi from newborns of unvaccinated mothers who experienced mild/asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. We investigated immune cell rewiring using flow cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing, and functional readouts using ex vivo stimulation with TLR agonists and pathogens. Maternal infection was associated with increased frequency of memory T and B cells and nonclassical monocytes in cord blood. Ex vivo T and B cell responses to stimulation were attenuated, suggesting a tolerogenic state. Maladaptive responses were also observed in cord blood monocytes, where antiviral responses were dampened but responses to bacterial TLRs were increased. Maternal infection was also associated with expansion and activation of placental Hofbauer cells, secreting elevated levels of myeloid cell-recruiting chemokines. Moreover, we reported increased activation of maternally derived monocytes/macrophages in the fetal placenta that were transcriptionally primed for antiviral responses. Our data indicate that even in the absence of vertical transmission or symptoms in the neonate, mild/asymptomatic maternal COVID-19 altered the transcriptional and functional state in fetal immune cells in circulation and in the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna M. Doratt
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Suhas Sureshchandra
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Heather True
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Monica Rincon
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Nicole E. Marshall
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Ilhem Messaoudi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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8
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Barrozo ER, Seferovic MD, Castro ECC, Major AM, Moorshead DN, Jochum MD, Rojas RF, Shope CD, Aagaard KM. SARS-CoV-2 niches in human placenta revealed by spatial transcriptomics. MED 2023; 4:612-634.e4. [PMID: 37423216 PMCID: PMC10527005 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2023.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional placental niches are presumed to spatially separate maternal-fetal antigens and restrict the vertical transmission of pathogens. We hypothesized a high-resolution map of placental transcription could provide direct evidence for niche microenvironments with unique functions and transcription profiles. METHODS We utilized Visium Spatial Transcriptomics paired with H&E staining to generate 17,927 spatial transcriptomes. By integrating these spatial transcriptomes with 273,944 placental single-cell and single-nuclei transcriptomes, we generated an atlas composed of at least 22 subpopulations in the maternal decidua, fetal chorionic villi, and chorioamniotic membranes. FINDINGS Comparisons of placentae from uninfected healthy controls (n = 4) with COVID-19 asymptomatic (n = 4) and symptomatic (n = 5) infected participants demonstrated that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection in syncytiotrophoblasts occurred in both the presence and the absence of maternal clinical disease. With spatial transcriptomics, we found that the limit of detection for SARS-CoV-2 was 1/7,000 cells, and placental niches without detectable viral transcripts were unperturbed. In contrast, niches with high SARS-CoV-2 transcript levels were associated with significant upregulation in pro-inflammatory cytokines and interferon-stimulated genes, altered metallopeptidase signaling (TIMP1), with coordinated shifts in macrophage polarization, histiocytic intervillositis, and perivillous fibrin deposition. Fetal sex differences in gene expression responses to SARS-CoV-2 were limited, with confirmed mapping limited to the maternal decidua in males. CONCLUSIONS High-resolution placental transcriptomics with spatial resolution revealed dynamic responses to SARS-CoV-2 in coordinate microenvironments in the absence and presence of clinically evident disease. FUNDING This work was supported by the NIH (R01HD091731 and T32-HD098069), NSF (2208903), the Burroughs Welcome Fund and the March of Dimes Preterm Birth Research Initiatives, and a Career Development Award from the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico R Barrozo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maxim D Seferovic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eumenia C C Castro
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Angela M Major
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David N Moorshead
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Immunology and Microbiology Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael D Jochum
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ricardo Ferral Rojas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Cynthia D Shope
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kjersti M Aagaard
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
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9
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Doratt BM, Sureshchandra S, True H, Rincon M, Marshall N, Messaoudi I. Mild/Asymptomatic Maternal SARS-CoV-2 Infection Leads to Immune Paralysis in Fetal Circulation and Immune Dysregulation in Fetal-Placental Tissues. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.10.540233. [PMID: 37214938 PMCID: PMC10197637 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.10.540233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have addressed the impact of maternal mild/asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection on the developing neonatal immune system. In this study, we analyzed umbilical cord blood and placental chorionic villi from newborns of unvaccinated mothers with mild/asymptomatic SARSCoV-2 infection during pregnancy using flow cytometry, single-cell transcriptomics, and functional assays. Despite the lack of vertical transmission, levels of inflammatory mediators were altered in cord blood. Maternal infection was also associated with increased memory T, B cells, and non-classical monocytes as well as increased activation. However, ex vivo responses to stimulation were attenuated. Finally, within the placental villi, we report an expansion of fetal Hofbauer cells and infiltrating maternal macrophages and rewiring towards a heightened inflammatory state. In contrast to cord blood monocytes, placental myeloid cells were primed for heightened antiviral responses. Taken together, this study highlights dysregulated fetal immune cell responses in response to mild maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna M. Doratt
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY 40536
| | - Suhas Sureshchandra
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine CA 92697
- Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine CA 92697
| | - Heather True
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY 40536
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY 40536
| | - Monica Rincon
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland OR 97239
| | - Nicole Marshall
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland OR 97239
| | - Ilhem Messaoudi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY 40536
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10
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Kumar D, Verma S, Mysorekar IU. COVID-19 and pregnancy: clinical outcomes; mechanisms, and vaccine efficacy. Transl Res 2023; 251:84-95. [PMID: 35970470 PMCID: PMC9371980 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2022.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues into its third year, emerging data indicates increased risks associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, stillbirth, and risk of developmental defects in neonates. Here, we review clinical reports to date that address different COVID-19 pregnancy complications. We also document placental pathologies induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection, entry mechanisms in placental cells, and immune responses at the maternal-fetal interface. Since new variants of SARS-CoV-2 are emerging with characteristics of higher transmissibility and more effective immune escape strategies, we also briefly highlight the genomic and proteomic features of SARS-CoV-2 investigated to date. Vector and mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines continue to be rolled out globally. However, because pregnant individuals were not included in the vaccine clinical trials, some pregnant individuals have safety concerns and are hesitant to take these vaccines. We describe the recent studies that have addressed the effectiveness and safety of the current vaccines during pregnancy. This review also sheds light on important areas that need to be carefully or more fully considered with respect to understanding SARS-CoV-2 disease mechanisms of concern during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Kumar
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Sonam Verma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Indira U Mysorekar
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
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Shook LL, Fourman LT, Edlow AG. Immune Responses to SARS-CoV-2 in Pregnancy: Implications for the Health of the Next Generation. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 209:1465-1473. [PMID: 36192115 PMCID: PMC9536183 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Widespread SARS-CoV-2 infection among pregnant individuals has led to a generation of fetuses exposed in utero, but the long-term impact of such exposure remains unknown. Although fetal infection is rare, children born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection may be at increased risk for adverse neurodevelopmental and cardiometabolic outcomes. Fetal programming effects are likely to be mediated at least in part by maternal immune activation. In this review, we discuss recent evidence regarding the effects of prenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection on the maternal, placental, and fetal immune response, as well as the implications for the long-term health of offspring. Extrapolating from what is known about the impact of maternal immune activation in other contexts (e.g., obesity, HIV, influenza), we review the potential for neurodevelopmental and cardiometabolic morbidity in offspring. Based on available data suggesting potential increased neurodevelopmental risk, we highlight the importance of establishing large cohorts to monitor offspring born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers for neurodevelopmental and cardiometabolic sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia L Shook
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; and
| | - Lindsay T Fourman
- Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Andrea G Edlow
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA;
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; and
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Shook LL, Sullivan EL, Lo JO, Perlis RH, Edlow AG. COVID-19 in pregnancy: implications for fetal brain development. Trends Mol Med 2022; 28:319-330. [PMID: 35277325 PMCID: PMC8841149 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during pregnancy on the developing fetal brain is poorly understood. Other antenatal infections such as influenza have been associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring. Although vertical transmission has been rarely observed in SARS-CoV-2 to date, given the potential for profound maternal immune activation (MIA), impact on the developing fetal brain is likely. Here we review evidence that SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections during pregnancy can result in maternal, placental, and fetal immune activation, and ultimately in offspring neurodevelopmental morbidity. Finally, we highlight the need for cellular models of fetal brain development to better understand potential short- and long-term impacts of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on the next generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia L Shook
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elinor L Sullivan
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Center, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Jamie O Lo
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Urology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Center, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Roy H Perlis
- Center for Quantitative Health, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrea G Edlow
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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