Translational Virology in Pregnancy

Viral pandemics, such as influenza A virus H1N1, Zika virus, and most recently SARS-CoV-2 are becoming more common. Depending on the virus, infection during pregnancy may impart risk for more severe maternal disease, preterm birth, preeclampsia, stillbirth or congenital anomalies. The maternal, placental and fetal immune response is essential for viral clearance. However, viral evasion of host immunity may lead to persistent viremia, placental infection and vertical transmission. There is an urgent need to understand the impact of a wide array of viruses on maternal-fetal immunity, maternal health, pregnancy outcomes and fetal development. 

Many viruses are known to cross the placenta and infect the fetus, such as the TORCH infections [varicella-zoster virus, parvovirus B19, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus]. The potential for newly emerging and reemerging viruses to induce teratogenesis, similar to the TORCH viruses, is unknown. For example, the Zika virus pandemic in 2015-2016 was linked to thousands of cases of congenital microcephaly and a wide spectrum of central nervous system anomalies in newborns. Recently, the global pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is now recognized to cause more severe disease and impart a higher risk for mortality in pregnant versus non-pregnant women. Viral infections in pregnancy may differentially impact the fetus or the mother, which is often determined by placental susceptibility to infection and the maternal antiviral interferon and cytokine response. Pandemic preparedness requires investigating the impact of a wide array of viruses on maternal-placental-fetal immunity, pregnancy outcome, maternal disease and fetal development.

This Research Topic will focus on all aspects of maternal viral infections including the impact on pregnancy outcome and the maternal-placental-fetal antiviral immune response. Topics will range from basic mechanistic to translational studies to address this developing field of research. Submissions may include review articles or original research addressing the following topics:

1. Viral infections during pregnancy.

2. Impact of viral infections on maternal disease or pregnancy outcome.

3. Congenital anomalies or fetal injuries due to TORCH or other teratogenic viruses.

4. Antiviral innate immune defenses, including interferon and cytokine responses of the placenta, fetal membranes, uterus, and maternal immune cells to viral infections.

5. Use of therapeutics and vaccines in pregnancy to prevent maternal disease or congenital infections.

6. Placental pathology associated with viral infections in pregnancy.

7. Clinical outcomes in childhood following exposure to viral infections in utero.