Primary HSV-2 Infection in Early Pregnancy Results in Transplacental Viral Transmission and Dose-Dependent Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in a Novel Mouse Model.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection affects 24 million births annually and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including neonatal herpes; however, the mechanisms underlying in utero transmission of HSV-2 are largely unknown. We examined the effects of primary HSV-2 infection during early pregnancy on gestational outcomes in a novel, clinically relevant mouse model. Pregnant C57BL/6 mice were infected intravaginally with 102-105 pfu/mL HSV-2 on gestation day (gd) 4.5. Controls were infected, nonpregnant, diestrus-staged mice and pregnant, uninfected mice. Compared to nonpregnant mice, pregnant mice were 100-fold more susceptible to HSV-2 infection. Three days post-inoculation (gd7.5), viral DNA was present in implantation sites, but pregnancy outcomes were largely unaffected by infection. Eight days post-inoculation (gd12.5), HSV-2 DNA persisted in placental tissues, resulting in inflammation and hemorrhage. Fetal and placental weights were reduced and fetal loss was observed with high viral doses. HSV-2 DNA and increased expression of pro-inflammatory mediators were detected in fetal tissues at gd12.5, signifying viral transmission and fetal infection, even with low viral doses. This mouse model shows a dose-dependent effect of primary HSV-2 infection on pregnancy outcomes and suggests that fetal loss may occur due to placental inflammation, thus providing valuable insight into in utero transmission of HSV-2.

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) enhances susceptibility and increases the window of vulnerability to HIV-1 in humanized mice.

The progestin-based hormonal contraceptive Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA) is widely used in sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV-1 is endemic. Meta-analyses have shown that women using DMPA are 40% more likely than women not using hormonal contraceptives to acquire Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1). Therefore understanding how DMPA increases susceptibility to HIV-1 is an important public health issue. Using C57BL/6 mice and our previously optimized humanized mouse model (NOD-Rag1tm1Mom Il2rgtm1Wjl transplanted with hCD34-enriched hematopoietic stem cells; Hu-mice) where peripheral blood and tissues are reconstituted by human immune cells, we assessed how DMPA affected mucosal barrier function, HIV-1 susceptibility, viral titres, and target cells compared to mice in the diestrus phase of the estrous cycle, when endogenous progesterone is highest. We found that DMPA enhanced FITC-dextran dye leakage from the vaginal tract into the systemic circulation, enhanced target cells (hCD68+ macrophages, hCD4+ T cells) in the vaginal tract and peripheral blood (hCD45+hCD3+hCD4+hCCR5+ T cells), increased the rate of intravaginal HIV-1 infection, extended the window of vulnerability, and lowered vaginal viral titres following infection. These findings suggest DMPA may enhance susceptibility to HIV-1 in Hu-mice by impairing the vaginal epithelial barrier, increasing vaginal target cells (including macrophages), and extending the period of time during which Hu-mice are susceptible to infection; mechanisms that might also affect HIV-1 susceptibility in women.

Male fetal sex affects uteroplacental angiogenesis in growth restriction mouse model†.

Abnormally increased angiotensin II activity related to maternal angiotensinogen (AGT) genetic variants, or aberrant receptor activation, is associated with small-for-gestational-age babies and abnormal uterine spiral artery remodeling in humans. Our group studies a murine AGT gene titration transgenic (TG; 3-copies of the AGT gene) model, which has a 20% increase in AGT expression mimicking a common human AGT genetic variant (A[-6]G) associated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and spiral artery pathology. We hypothesized that aberrant maternal AGT expression impacts pregnancy-induced uterine spiral artery angiogenesis in this mouse model leading to IUGR. We controlled for fetal sex and fetal genotype (e.g., only 2-copy wild-type [WT] progeny from WT and TG dams were included). Uteroplacental samples from WT and TG dams from early (days 6.5 and 8.5), mid (d12.5), and late (d16.5) gestation were studied to assess uterine natural killer (uNK) cell phenotypes, decidual metrial triangle angiogenic factors, placental growth and capillary density, placental transcriptomics, and placental nutrient transport. Spiral artery architecture was evaluated at day 16.5 by contrast-perfused three-dimensional microcomputed tomography (3D microCT). Our results suggest that uteroplacental angiogenesis is significantly reduced in TG dams at day 16.5. Males from TG dams are associated with significantly reduced uteroplacental angiogenesis from early to late gestation compared with their female littermates and WT controls. Angiogenesis was not different between fetal sexes from WT dams. We conclude that male fetal sex compounds the pathologic impact of maternal genotype in this mouse model of growth restriction.

Medroxyprogesterone acetate alters the vaginal microbiota and microenvironment in women and increases susceptibility to HIV-1 in humanized mice.

The hormonal contraceptive medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is associated with increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), via incompletely understood mechanisms. Increased diversity in the vaginal microbiota modulates genital inflammation and is associated with increased HIV-1 acquisition. However, the effect of MPA on diversity of the vaginal microbiota is relatively unknown. In a cohort of female Kenyan sex workers, negative for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with Nugent scores <7 (N=58 of 370 screened), MPA correlated with significantly increased diversity of the vaginal microbiota as assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. MPA was also significantly associated with decreased levels of estrogen in the plasma, and low vaginal glycogen and α-amylase, factors implicated in vaginal colonization by lactobacilli, bacteria that are believed to protect against STIs. In a humanized mouse model, MPA treatment was associated with low serum estrogen, low glycogen and enhanced HIV-1 susceptibility. The mechanism by which the MPA-mediated changes in the vaginal microbiota may contribute to HIV-1 susceptibility in humans appears to be independent of inflammatory cytokines and/or activated T cells. Altogether, these results suggest MPA-induced hypo-estrogenism may alter key metabolic components that are necessary for vaginal colonization by certain bacterial species including lactobacilli, and allow for greater bacterial diversity in the vaginal microbiota.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

The relationship between sex hormones, the vaginal microbiome and immunity in HIV-1 susceptibility in women.

The role of sex hormones in regulating immune responses in the female genital tract has been recognized for decades. More recently, it has become increasingly clear that sex hormones regulate susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections through direct and indirect mechanisms involving inflammation and immune responses. The reproductive cycle can influence simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) infections in primates and HIV-1 infection in ex vivo cervical tissues from women. Exogenous hormones, such as those found in hormonal contraceptives, have come under intense scrutiny because of the increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections seen in women using medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic progestin-based contraceptive. Recent meta-analyses concluded that medroxyprogesterone acetate enhanced HIV-1 susceptibility in women by 40%. In contrast, estradiol-containing hormonal contraceptives were not associated with increased susceptibility and some studies reported a protective effect of estrogen on HIV/SIV infection, although the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Recent studies describe a key role for the vaginal microbiota in determining susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections, including HIV-1. While Lactobacillus spp.-dominated vaginal microbiota is associated with decreased susceptibility, complex microbiota, such as those seen in bacterial vaginosis, correlates with increased susceptibility to HIV-1. Interestingly, sex hormones are inherently linked to microbiota regulation in the vaginal tract. Estrogen has been postulated to play a key role in establishing a Lactobacillus-dominated microenvironment, whereas medroxyprogesterone acetate is linked to hypo-estrogenic effects. The aim of this Review is to contribute to a better understanding of the sex-hormone-microbiome-immunity axis, which can provide key information on the determinants of HIV-1 susceptibility in the female genital tract and, consequently, inform HIV-1 prevention strategies.

Uterine natural killer cell partnerships in early mouse decidua basalis.

The decidua basalis of developing mouse implantation sites is highly enriched in CD45+ leukocytes. In intact, syngeneically mated C57BL/6 decidua basalis examined at gestation day 8.5 by whole-mount in situ immunohistochemistry, leukocyte, but not trophoblast, conjugations were reported. Nothing is known regarding time course, frequency, composition, or importance of physiologic decidual CD45+ cell pairing. In this study, we confirmed the presence of anti-CD54+/anti-CD11a+ immune synapses in CD45+ decidual cell conjugates and characterized their cellular heterogeneity. Conjugated cell pairs were virtually absent before implantation (virgin and gestation days 3.5 and 4.5), were infrequent at gestation day 5.5, but involved 19% of all CD45+ cells by gestation day 8.5, then declined. By gestation day 8.5, almost all CD45+ cells coexpressed CD31, and 2 CD45+CD31+ cells composed most conjugates. Conjugation partners were defined for 2 nonoverlapping uterine natural killer cell subsets (Ly49C/I +/Dolichos biflorus agglutinin lectin- and Ly49C/I-/Dolichos biflorus agglutinin lectin+). Ly49C/I+ uterine natural killer cells were the major subset from before mating up to gestation day 6.5. At gestation day 5.5/6.5, uterine natural killer cell conjugates involving Ly49C/I + cells were more abundant. By gestation day 8.5/9.5, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin lectin+ uterine natural killer cells were the dominant subset with Dolichos biflorus agglutinin lectin+/Dolichos biflorus agglutinin lectin+ homologous conjugates and Dolichos biflorus agglutinin lectin+/Dolichos biflorus agglutinin lectin- heterologous conjugates dominating uterine natural killer cell pairings. At gestation day 6.5, both Ly49C/I+/CD45+ and Dolichos biflorus agglutinin lectin+/CD45+ heterologous conjugate pairs strongly engaged antigen-presenting cells (CD11c+, CD68+, or major histocompatibility complex class II+). By gestation day 8.5, dominant partners of Ly49C/I+/CD45+ and Dolichos biflorus agglutinin lectin+/CD45+ heterologous conjugates are T cells (CD8+ >CD4+). Heterologous conjugates that did not involve uterine natural killer cells occurred but did not suggest antigen presentation to T cells. These data identify gestation day 6.5-8.5 in the pregnant mouse as a critical window for leukocyte interactions that may establish immune regulation within implantation sites.

The Transcription Factor NFIL3 Is Essential for Normal Placental and Embryonic Development but Not for Uterine Natural Killer (UNK) Cell Differentiation in Mice.

Mice ablated for the gene encoding the transcription factor Nfil3 lack peripheral natural killer (NK) cells but retain tissue-resident NK cells, particularly in mucosal sites, including virgin uterus. We undertook a time course histological study of implantation sites from syngeneically (Nfil3(-/-)) and allogeneically (BALB/c) mated Nfil3(-/-) females. We also examined implantation sites from Rag2(-/-)Il2rg(-/-) females preconditioned by adoptive transfer of Nfil3(-/-) marrow or uterine cell suspensions to identify the Nfil3(-/-) pregnancy aberrations that could be attributed to nonlymphoid cells. Uterine NKs (UNKs) reactive and nonreactive with the lectin Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) differentiate, localize, and mature within Nfil3(-/-) implantation sites, although at reduced abundance. The DBA nonreactive UNK cells were enriched following Nfil3(-/-) marrow transplantation. Uterine lumen closure, early embryonic development, and differentiation of antimesometrial decidua were delayed in Nfil3(-/-) implantation sites. Major disturbances to the decidual-trophoblast interface that did not lead to fetal death were attributed to NFIL3 deficiency in trophoblast. At midgestation, vessels of the placental labyrinth were enlarged, suggestive of reduced branching morphogenesis. A major term complication in most Nfil3(-/-) × Nfil3(-/-) pregnancies but not Nfil3(-/-) × Nfil3(+/-) pregnancies was dystocia. These studies highlight the differentiation potential and functions of Nfil3(-/-) UNK cell progenitors and illustrate that much of the implantation site histopathology associated with this strain is due to Nfil3 deletion in nonlymphoid cell lineages.

Ly49 knockdown in mice results in aberrant uterine crypt formation and impaired blastocyst implantation.

Genetic knockdown (KD) of the mouse Ly49 receptor family is reported to result in infertility despite the presence of zona-enclosed blastocysts in the uterus. Ly49 receptors regulate leukocyte functions particularly Natural Killer (NK) cell functions and are analogous to human killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs). Histological analyses of gd3.5-4.5 B6.Ly49(KD) uteri identified hatched but retarded blastocysts with pyknotic nuclei, aberrant endometrial crypt formation and impaired uterine lumen closure accompanied by a lack of primary decidualization These data support peri-implantation roles for leukocytes expressing the Ly49 receptor repertoire and may give insight into KIR-based regulation of human infertility.

Uterine natural killer cells: supervisors of vasculature construction in early decidua basalis.

Mammalian pregnancy involves tremendous de novo maternal vascular construction to adequately support conceptus development. In early mouse decidua basalis (DB), maternal uterine natural killer (uNK) cells oversee this process directing various aspects during the formation of supportive vascular networks. The uNK cells recruited to early implantation site DB secrete numerous factors that act in the construction of early decidual vessels (neoangiogenesis) as well as in the alteration of the structural components of newly developing and existing vessels (pruning and remodeling). Although decidual and placental development sufficient to support live births occur in the absence of normally functioning uNK cells, development and structure of implantation site are optimized through the presence of normally activated uNK cells. Human NK cells are also recruited to early decidua. Gestational complications including recurrent spontaneous abortion, fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, and preterm labor are linked with the absence of human NK cell activation via paternally inherited conceptus transplantation antigens. This review summarizes the roles that mouse uNK cells normally play in decidual neoangiogenesis and spiral artery remodeling in mouse pregnancy and briefly discusses changes in early developmental angiogenesis due to placental growth factor deficiency.