title: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection of human placenta: potential route for fetal infection.
abstract: To determine the potential role of the placenta in transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from mother to fetus, the ability of human placental tissue to support HIV type 1 (HIV-1) infection was examined. HIV-1-seronegative first-trimester placentas were maintained in culture and infected with HIV-1. Virus production, measured by HIV-1 antigen release into the supernatant, and HIV-1 DNA, identified by polymerase chain reaction, were detected for at least 12 days postinfection. Western immunoblot analysis showed Gag proteins, precursor p55, and cleavage products p24 and p17 in HIV-1-infected tissues. Double labeling of placental villi with antibodies to CD4 and placental trophoblast-specific alkaline phosphatase indicated that trophoblasts express CD4 antigen. Additionally, immunostaining of HIV-1-infected tissues with anti-p24 antibodies demonstrated HIV-1 protein expression in placental trophoblasts. Evaluation of human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone production by the placental cultures indicated that there was a 90% decrease in human chorionic gonadotropin and a 70% decrease in progesterone production in HIV-1-infected cultures in comparison with controls. These data demonstrate that trophoblastic cells of human placenta tissue express CD4 and are susceptible to HIV-1 infection; also, placental endocrine function is decreased by HIV-1 infection. Thus, the placenta may serve as a reservoir of HIV-1 infection during pregnancy contributing to infection of the fetus, and decreased placental hormone production may result in impaired fetal development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego 92103.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Amirhessami-Aghili
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Spector
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000378:metabolism; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010920:Placenta / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000382:microbiology; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D004279:DNA, Viral; D015488:HIV Antigens; D011374:Progesterone