Maternal Th17 Profile after Zika Virus Infection Is Involved in Congenital Zika Syndrome Development in Children
Eder M. S. Fialho,
Emanoel M. Veras,
Caroline M. de Jesus,
Líllian N. Gomes,
Ricardo Khouri,
Patrícia S. Sousa,
Marizélia R. C. Ribeiro,
Rosângela F. L. Batista,
Luciana C. Costa,
Flávia R. F. Nascimento,
Antônio A. M. Silva,
Paulo V. Soeiro-Pereira
Affiliations
Eder M. S. Fialho
Health Sciences Graduate Program, Biological and Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, MA, Brazil
Emanoel M. Veras
Medical School, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, MA, Brazil
Caroline M. de Jesus
Health and Technology Graduate Program, Biological and Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, MA, Brazil
Líllian N. Gomes
Department of Immunology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
Ricardo Khouri
Gonçalo Moniz Research Institute, FIOCRUZ-Bahia, Salvador 40296-710, BA, Brazil
Patrícia S. Sousa
Reference Center on Neurodevelopment, Assistance and Rehabilitation of Children/NINAR—State Department of Health of the State of Maranhão, São Luís 65077-357, MA, Brazil
Marizélia R. C. Ribeiro
Department of Medicine III, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65020-240, MA, Brazil
Rosângela F. L. Batista
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65020-060, MA, Brazil
Luciana C. Costa
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65020-060, MA, Brazil
Flávia R. F. Nascimento
Health Sciences Graduate Program, Biological and Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, MA, Brazil
Antônio A. M. Silva
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65020-060, MA, Brazil
Paulo V. Soeiro-Pereira
Health Sciences Graduate Program, Biological and Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, MA, Brazil
Brazil is one of the countries that experienced an epidemic of microcephaly and other congenital manifestations related to maternal Zika virus infection which can result in Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). Since the Zika virus can modulate the immune system, studying mothers’ and children’s immune profiles become essential to better understanding CZS development. Therefore, we investigated the lymphocyte population profile of children who developed CZS and their mothers’ immune response in this study. The study groups were formed from the Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) (CZS+ group) result. To evaluate the lymphocyte population profile, we performed phenotyping of peripheral lymphocytes and quantification of serum cytokine levels. The immunophenotyping and cytokine profile was correlated between CSZ+ children and their mothers. Both groups exhibited increased interleukin-17 levels and a reduction in the subpopulation of CD4+ T lymphocytes. In contrast, the maternal group showed a reduction in the population of B lymphocytes. Thus, the development of CZS is related to the presence of an inflammatory immune profile in children and their mothers characterized by Th17 activation.
