Gonzalez-Ricon RJ, Otero AM, Chalen I, Savas JN, A. Influenza A virus infection during pregnancy increases transfer of maternal bloodborne molecules to fetal tissues. Brain Behav Immun. 2025 Aug 6:106069
Influenza A virus (IAV) infection during pregnancy is linked to heightened risk for neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in the offspring. The precise pathophysiological mechanism(s) underling this association remains an active topic of research. We propose that maternal immune activation (MIA) triggered by IAV infection can disrupt selective permeability at the maternal-fetal interface, leading to increased transfer of blood-derived molecules into the fetal compartment. Some of these molecules might be responsible for the initiation of inflammatory cascades implicated in NDD etiology. Using a murine model of seasonal IAV infection during pregnancy, we examined placental and fetal brain barrier properties following maternal IAV challenge. Our findings demonstrate an enhanced transplacental transfer of fluorescently labeled tracers from maternal circulation to key neurodevelopmental regions, including the subventricular zone (SVZ) and choroid plexus (ChP) of fetal brains. This effect was most pronounced in fetuses from dams exposed to the highest dose of IAV. Notably, a similar pattern was observed for accumulation of the bloodborne neuroinflammatory molecule fibrinogen in these same brain regions, which was further amplified in response to the highest IAV dose. Moreover, fibrinogen accumulation was positively correlated with Iba1+ cell immunofluorescence, suggesting a potential interaction between fibrinogen and Iba1+ cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that IAV-induced MIA enhances transplacental transfer of blood-derived molecules into fetal tissues, potentially activating proinflammatory pathways in Iba1+ cells.
See Also:
Latest articles in those days:
- Engineered Bacillus subtilis to deliver dsRNA via extracellular vesicles against the H9N2 avian influenza virus 42 minute(s) ago
- [preprint]Spatiotemporal dynamics and ecological risk factors of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in Canadian wildlife: A One Health surveillance analysis 44 minute(s) ago
- Epidemiological and Virological Characteristics of H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus in Jiangsu Province, China, 2024 12 hours ago
- Innate Pathway Selection Modulates Antibody and T-Cell Responses to Mosaic Influenza Nucleoprotein in Cattle 1 days ago
- Game Over for the Baseline: Influenza Hospitalization Patterns Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic (FluSurv-NET, 2009–2025) 1 days ago
[Go Top] [Close Window]


