Frontiers in Immunology (Aug 2020)

Increased Expression on Innate Immune Factors in Placentas From HIV-Infected Mothers Concurs With Dampened Systemic Immune Activation

  • Nátalli Zanete Pereira,
  • Nátalli Zanete Pereira,
  • Anna Cláudia Calvielli Castelo Branco,
  • Anna Cláudia Calvielli Castelo Branco,
  • Kelly Cristina Gomes Manfrere,
  • Josenilson Feitosa de Lima,
  • Fabio Seiti Yamada Yoshikawa,
  • Fabio Seiti Yamada Yoshikawa,
  • Helaine Maria Besteti Pires Mayer Milanez,
  • Naiura Vieira Pereira,
  • Miriam Nacagami Sotto,
  • Alberto José da Silva Duarte,
  • Maria Notomi Sato

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.01822
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

Read online

Innate immunity is one of the main protection mechanisms against viral infections, but how this system works at the maternal-fetal interface, especially during HIV infection, is still poorly known. In this study, we investigated the relationship between pregnancy and innate mechanisms associated with HIV immunity by evaluating the expression of DAMPs, inflammasome components and type I/III IFNs in placenta and serum samples from HIV-infected mothers and exposed newborns. Our results showed that most of these factors, including HMGB1, IL-1, and IFN, were increased in placental villi from HIV-infected mothers. Curiously, however, these factors were simultaneously repressed in serum from HIV-infected mothers and their exposed newborns, suggesting that pregnancy could restrict HIV immune activation systemically but preserve the immune response at the placental level. An effective local antiviral status associated with a suppressed inflammatory environment can balance the maternal immune response, promoting homeostasis for fetal development and protection against HIV infection in neonates.

Keywords