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Craig J. Bierle, PhD

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease and Immunology

Univeristy of Minnesota

Presentation Title: Guinea pig cytomegalovirus infects the amnion and induces pathways associated with preterm birth

Abstract: Infection of the chorioamnion or exposure of the fetal membranes to inflammatory signaling can trigger structural changes the lead to the premature rupture of membranes and preterm birth. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection of the amnion has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, and HCMV can infect amnion- and chorion-derived cells in vitro. As the effect of viral infection on fetal membrane biology is poorly understood, we sought to determine whether guinea pig cytomegalovirus (GPCMV), a small animal model of in utero CMV infection, also infects the fetal membranes. GPCMV was observed to infect the amnion and yolk sac in vivo and both primary and HPV16 E6/E7- transduced amniotic epithelial cells supported viral replication in vitro. GPCMV infection of amniotic epithelial cells induces immune signaling that is distinct from fibroblasts, including many pathways previously associated with preterm birth. These results demonstrated the utility of GPCMV as an experimental model of viral chorioamnionitis and identified candidate immune pathways that regulate CMV infection of the amnion and that may contribute to fetal membrane rupture and preterm birth.