title: Pathogenic brucellae replicate in human trophoblasts.
abstract: Brucellae replicate in a vacuole derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in epithelial cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. In animals, trophoblasts are also key cellular targets where brucellae efficiently replicate in association with the ER. Therefore, we investigated the ability of Brucella spp. to infect human trophoblasts using both immortalized and primary trophoblasts. Brucella extensively proliferated within different subpopulations of trophoblasts, suggesting that they constitute an important niche in cases where the fetal-maternal barrier is breached. In extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs), B. abortus and B. suis replicated within single-membrane acidic lysosomal membrane-associated protein 1-positive inclusions, whereas B. melitensis replicated in the ER-derived compartment. Furthermore, B. melitensis but not B. abortus nor B. suis interfered with the invasive capacity of EVT-like cells in vitro. Because EVTs are essential for implantation during early stages of pregnancy, the nature of the replication niche may have a central role during Brucella-associated abortion in infected women.
authors.affiliation: Aix-Marseille Université UM 2, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy.
authors.forename: Suzana Pinto
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Salcedo
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chevrier
authors.forename: Thais Lourdes Santos
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Lacerda
authors.forename: Amira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ben Amara
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gerart
authors.forename: Vilma Arce
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Gorvel
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Chastellier
authors.forename: José Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Blasco
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Mege
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gorvel
mesh_terms: D001343:Autophagy; D058491:Bacterial Load; D002003:Brucella abortus / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D017347:Brucella melitensis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D041021:Brucella suis / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D037281:Calnexin / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051907:Lysosomal Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D050296:Microbial Viability; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D060149:Tetraspanin 30 / Q000378:metabolism; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D052118:Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 1
chemical_list: D037281:Calnexin; D051907:Lysosomal Membrane Proteins; D060149:Tetraspanin 30; C554586:CD63 protein, human; C489116:LAMP1 protein, human; D052118:Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 1