Viruses (May 2022)

Increased Serum Levels of Growth-Differentiation Factor 3 (GDF3) and Inflammasome-Related Markers in Pregnant Women during Acute Zika Virus Infection

  • Carlos Eduardo de Castro Alves,
  • Sabrina Araújo de Melo,
  • Jean de Melo Silva,
  • Leonardo Calheiros de Oliveira,
  • Valdinete Alves do Nascimento,
  • João Hugo Abdalla Santos,
  • Felipe Gomes Naveca,
  • Gemilson Soares Pontes

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/v14051004
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 5
p. 1004

Abstract

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The systemic inflammatory response elicited by acute Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy plays a key role in the clinical outcomes in mothers and congenitally infected offspring. The present study aimed to evaluate the serum levels of GDF-3 and inflammasome-related markers in pregnant women during acute ZIKV infection. Serum samples from pregnant (n = 18) and non-pregnant (n = 22) women with acute ZIKV infection were assessed for NLRP3, IL-1β, IL-18, and GDF3 markers through an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ZIKV-negative pregnant (n = 18) and non-pregnant women (n = 15) were used as control groups. All serum markers were highly elevated in the ZIKV-infected groups in comparison with control groups (p p p p p < 0.0001). The findings indicated that acute ZIKV infection during pregnancy induces the overexpression of GDF-3 and inflammasome-related markers, which may contribute to congenital disorders and harmful pregnancy outcomes.

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