Transplacental SARS-CoV-2 protein ORF8 binds to complement C1q to trigger fetal inflammation

ABSTRACT: Prenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with higher rates of pregnancy and birth complications, despite that vertical transmission rates are thought to be low. Here, multi-omics analyses of human placental tissues, cord tissues/plasma, and amniotic fluid from 23 COVID-19 mother-infant pairs revealed robust inflammatory responses in both maternal and fetal compartments. Pronounced expression of complement proteins (C1q, C3, C3b, C4, C5) and inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-1α, and IL-17A/E) was detected in the fetal compartment of COVID-19-affected pregnancies. While approximately 26% of fetal tissues were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, more than 60% of fetal tissues contained SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 proteins, suggesting transplacental transfer of this viral accessory protein. ORF8-positive fetal

SUBMITTER: Dr. Tamiris Azamor 

PROVIDER: S-SCDT-10_1038-S44318-024-00260-9 | biostudies-other |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other