In Utero Activation of Natural Killer Cells in Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common infectious cause of birth defects and neurological damage in newborns. Despite a well-established role for natural killer (NK) cells in control of CMV infection in older children and adults, it remains unknown whether fetal NK cells can sense and respond to CMV infection acquired in utero.

Methods

Here, we investigate the impact of congenital CMV infection on the neonatal NK-cell repertoire by assessing the frequency, phenotype, and functional profile of NK cells in cord blood samples from newborns with congenital CMV and from uninfected controls enrolled in a birth cohort of Ugandan mothers and infants.

Results

We find that neonatal NK cells from congenitally CMV infected newborns show increased

SUBMITTER: Vaaben AV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9441208 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature