Details zur Publikation

Kategorie Textpublikation
Referenztyp Zeitschriften
DOI 10.1111/aji.70039
Lizenz creative commons licence
Titel (primär) SARS-CoV-2 activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) do not provoke adverse effects in trophoblast spheroids
Autor Ayuk, H.S.; Arnold, S.; Pierzchalski, A.; Bauer, M.; Stojanovska, V.; Zenclussen, A.
Quelle American Journal of Reproductive Immunology
Erscheinungsjahr 2025
Department IMMU
Band/Volume 93
Heft 1
Seite von e70039
Sprache englisch
Topic T9 Healthy Planet
Supplements https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/downloadSupplement?doi=10.1111%2Faji.70039&file=aji70039-sup-0001-SuppMat.pdf
Abstract Problem
Although it is still uncertain whether Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) placental infection and vertical transmission occur, inflammation during early pregnancy can have devastating consequences for gestation itself and the growing fetus. If and how SARS-CoV-2-specific immune cells negatively affect placenta functionality is still unknown.
Method of study
We stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from women of reproductive age with SARS-CoV-2 peptides and cocultured them with trophoblast spheroids (HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3) to dissect if SARS-CoV-2-activated immune cells can interfere with trophoblast functionality. The activation and cytokine profile of the PBMCs were determined using multicolor flow cytometry. The functionality of trophoblast spheroids was assessed using microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and RT-qPCR.
Results
SARS-CoV-2 S and M peptides significantly activated PBMCs (monocytes, NK cells, and T cells with memory subsets) and induced the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IFNγ. The activated PBMCs did not impact the viability, growth rate, and invasion capabilities of trophoblast spheroids. Furthermore, the hormonal production of hCG by JEG-3 spheroids was not compromised upon coculture with the activated PBMCs. mRNA transcript levels of genes involved in trophoblast spheroid functional pathways were also not dysregulated after coculture.
Conclusions
Together, the findings of our in vitro coculture model, although not fully representative of in vivo conditions, strongly support the claim that the interaction of SARS-CoV-2-activated peripheral blood immune cells with trophoblast cells at the fetal–maternal interface does not negatively affect trophoblast functionality. This goes in hand with the recommendation of vaccinating pregnant women in their first trimester.
dauerhafte UFZ-Verlinkung https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=30213
Ayuk, H.S., Arnold, S., Pierzchalski, A., Bauer, M., Stojanovska, V., Zenclussen, A. (2025):
SARS-CoV-2 activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) do not provoke adverse effects in trophoblast spheroids
Am. J. Reprod. Immunol. 93 (1), e70039 10.1111/aji.70039