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Preventive effects of folic acid on Zika virus-associated poor pregnancy outcomes in immunocompromised mice.
- Source :
-
PLoS pathogens [PLoS Pathog] 2020 May 11; Vol. 16 (5), pp. e1008521. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 May 11 (Print Publication: 2020). - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Zika virus (ZIKV) infection may lead to congenital microcephaly and pregnancy loss in pregnant women. In the context of pregnancy, folic acid (FA) supplementation may reduce the risk of abnormal pregnancy outcomes. Intriguingly, FA may have a beneficial effect on the adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with ZIKV infection. Here, we show that FA inhibits ZIKV replication in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and a cell culture model of blood-placental barrier (BPB). The inhibitory effect of FA against ZIKV infection is associated with FRĪ±-AMPK signaling. Furthermore, treatment with FA reduces pathological features in the placenta, number of fetal resorptions, and stillbirths in two mouse models of in utero ZIKV transmission. Mice with FA treatment showed lower viral burden and better prognostic profiles in the placenta including reduced inflammatory response, and enhanced integrity of BPB. Overall, our findings suggest the preventive role of FA supplementation in ZIKV-associated abnormal pregnancy and warrant nutritional surveillance to evaluate maternal FA status in areas with active ZIKV transmission.<br />Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Disease Models, Animal
Female
Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Humans
Mice
Microcephaly metabolism
Microcephaly pathology
Microcephaly prevention & control
Microcephaly virology
Pregnancy
Zika Virus Infection metabolism
Zika Virus Infection pathology
Folic Acid pharmacology
Placenta metabolism
Placenta pathology
Placenta virology
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious metabolism
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious pathology
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious prevention & control
Zika Virus metabolism
Zika Virus Infection prevention & control
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1553-7374
- Volume :
- 16
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- PLoS pathogens
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 32392268
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1008521