Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common intrauterine infection virus, which can cause intrauterine transmission through the placenta, resulting in abortion, stillbirth and congenital malformations. In this study, the co‐culture extravillous trophoblast (EVT) HTR8/SVneo cell model of CMV infection was established in vitro. The toxicity of CMV infected EVT was determined, and then, the cell invasion experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect on the invasion ability of EVT cell lines. Western blot and real‐time PCR were used to detect the related cytokines in the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway in cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the immune function related factors of the supernatant of CMV culture on decidual NK cells. The TCID50 of CMV virus was 10−5.4. The results of immunofluorescence showed that a large number of fluorescent green of CMV pp65 antigen signals appeared in the cytoplasm of CMV infection group. CMV could infect and replicate EVT cells and inhibited cell proliferation. The expression of proteins PDK1, AKT‐S473 and AKT‐S308 was significantly increased in CMV infection group. The levels of IL‐17, IL‐4 and IFN‐γ were 8.7 ± 0.48%, 12.17 ± 0.61% and 6.66 ± 0.25%, respectively, in CMV infection group. The above results indicated that CMV infection inhibited EVT cells proliferation, weakened the invasion ability and inhibited the immune function of NK cells at the maternal‐fetal interface, resulting in the abnormal maternal‐fetal crosstalk.
Keywords: cytomegalovirus, extravillous trophoblast, maternal‐fetal immune, proliferation
1. INTRODUCTION
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a linear double‐stranded virus, belongs to the subfamily blisters and has a high species specificity. It is one of the most common intrauterine infection viruses. 1 It can cause intrauterine transmission through the placenta, causing abortion, stillbirth, intrauterine growth retardation and central nervous system injury in neonates. 2 According to statistics, the infected rate of CMV in live births in the world was about 0.2% ~ 6.1%. 1 The process and outcome of intrauterine transmission of CMV are related to the immune regulation at the maternal‐fetal interface. 3 Placenta is located at the maternal‐fetal interface. Although its immune defence function is not perfect, it is still of great significance in preventing intrauterine transmission of pathogens.
Physiological pregnancy can induce partial immune suppression at maternal‐fetal interface. However, under the stimulation of inflammation, viral infection and other factors, the maternal‐fetal interface is damaged, which leads to the cloning activation of T and B cells of specific immune response and produces specific immune effect. 4 It was found that extravillous trophoblast (EVT) had the ability of antigen presentation, which could effectively activate memory T cells and stationary T cells and improve the body's immunity. 5 , 6 At the same time, EVT cells can be infected with CMV in vivo and in vitro. 7 , 8 When CMV infection occurs at the maternal‐fetal interface, the EVT may present the antigen of CMV to the T cells infiltrating into the local area of inflammation and initiate a specific immune response. Therefore, we established the co‐culture cell model of CMV infected EVT in vitro and observed the effects of CMV infection on EVT invasion ability and immune function of NK cells at the maternal‐fetal interface from the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1. Materials
The HTR8/SVneo cells, derived from human first trimester EVT, were kindly provided by Charles Graham, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; the CMV AD169 strain was provided by the Hubei Virus Research Institute; all peripheral blood samples were collected from pre‐pregnancy counselling healthy women in the Department of Obstetrics in Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. 10 mL venous blood in the middle of the elbow was sterile extracted and heparin anticoagulation was used. Transwell chamber (8.0 μm) (Corning); DMEM, FBS, penicillin, streptomycin, Trypsin (Gibco); RIPA, heparin (Sigma); PMSF (Amresco); SDS‐PAGE (Beyotime Biotechnology). Inverted microscope, fluorescence microscope (Olympus); Metash UV‐5100B spectrometer (Thermo).
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. Written informed consent was obtained from each woman.
2.2. Methods
2.2.1. Virus amplification
This is a original research paper and the details of procedure as follows 9 : HTR‐8/SV Neo cells were cultured in high‐glucose DMEM medium containing 10% FBS, and CMV AD169 was cultured in high‐glucose DMEM medium containing 3% FBS. After 7 days, cells and culture medium were collected, frozen and thawing repeatedly for three times before centrifugation. Supernatant was taken to obtain the amplified virus venom, which was stored at −70°C.
2.2.2. CMV toxicity measurement
After HTR‐8/SV neo cells grew into monolayer, the culture medium of each well was discarded. The diluted virus (×10) 0.1 mL was inoculated into the 96‐well cell culture plate. Normal cell control wells were set at each dilution degree. After discarding the venom or diluent, 1.0 mL cell culture medium was added to maintain the growth of cell in each well at 37°C for 24 hand then observed and recorded the results according to the following formula. The amount of 50% tissue cell infection was calculated (TCID50).
TCID50 = logarithm of the reciprocal of the high critical dilution of 50% infection + logarithm of the distance ratio × dilution factor. Where: distance ratio = (50% critical infection rate−50%)/(50% critical infection rate−50% low critical infection rate).
2.2.3. The CMV infection model establishment of HTR‐8/SV neo cells
HTR‐8/SV neo cells were cultured in a 6‐well plate with high‐glucose DMEM medium containing 10% FBS for passage. After the supernatant was discarded overnight, culture medium was changed of high‐glucose DMEM containing 3% FBS. HTR‐8/SV neo cells were divided into control group and CMV infection group. Control group was added 100 μL PBS in each well, while the CMV infection group was added 100 μL TCID50 CMV AD169 in each well. After adsorption for 2 hours, PBS was washed for two times, and the cells were cultured with DMEM medium containing 3% FBS in 5% CO2 incubator for 48 hours. CMV AD169 induced HTR‐8/SV neo cells lesion was observed under inverted microscope.
2.2.4. CMV pp65 antigen was detected by immunofluorescence chemistry
HTR‐8/SV Neo cells were cultured for 48 hours and were fixed at room temperature for 30 minutes with 4% polyformaldehyde. Mouse anti‐CMV pp65 monoclonal antibody (dilution: 1:1000) was added and incubated overnight at 4°C. Cy3‐labelled sheep antimouse IgG was added and incubated at 37°C for 1 hour. PBS washed for three times and observed under inverted fluorescence microscope.
2.2.5. Proliferation migration of HTR‐8/SV Neo cells
All cell culture reagents and transwell chamber were incubated in a 37°C thermostatic water bath. Cells in logarithmic growth stage were collected and suspended in serum‐free medium. After counting, the concentration was adjusted to 1 × 105/mL. 600 μL culture medium containing 20% FBS was added into lower chamber (bottom of 24‐well plate). 150 μL cell suspension was added to the upper chamber, and the culture continued for 24 hours under the condition of 37°C and 5% CO2. Carefully remove the chamber with tweezers, drain the upper chamber liquid and fix the methanol at room temperature for 30 minutes. The chamber was removed, and the upper chamber fixative fluid was sucked dry. The crystal violet dye was dyed at room temperature for 15‐30 minutes and washed with PBS for several times. The chamber was removed, and the upper chamber fluid was sucked. The cells on the membrane surface at the bottom of the upper chamber were carefully wiped with a wet cotton swab. Five random fields were counted under the microscope, and the results were calculated.
2.2.6. Western blot analysis of PDK1, AKT‐S473 and AKT‐S308 expression
Total proteins of tissue were extracted from rat, and 20 μg proteins were sampled. 5% concentrated gel and 12% isolated gel were prepared, respectively, to isolate proteins by SDS‐PAGE. Objective and internal reference proteins were transferred to NC membrane and then closed with 5% skimmed milk powder sealing fluid for 2 hours at room temperature. Rabbit anti‐human primary antibody PDK1 (1:1000), rat anti‐human primary antibody AKT‐S473 (1:500), rat anti‐human primary antibody AKT‐S308 (1:1000) and rat anti‐human primary antibody β‐actin (1:1000) were added and incubated at 4°C overnight. TBST washed 4 times; then, HRP‐labelled sheep anti‐rat secondary antibody (1:5, 000) was added and incubated at 37°C for 1 hour. TBST washed four times. Colour was developed with ECL luminescent solution, protein bands were exposed by gel image analysis system, and images were photographed and quantitatively analysed. The experiment was repeated three times.
2.2.7. Expression of AKT, PI3K and PDK1 mRNA in PI3K/AKT signalling pathway
The operation is carried out according to the instructions as following: the method of TRIzol was used to extract whole RNA. Nucleic acid protein complex was isolated by RIzolRNA agent. Nucleic acid protein complex was extracted by chloroform and precipitated in isopropanol. The complex was cleaned by 75% ethanol and purified by RNase‐free water. The expression level of GAPDH was selected as internal reference and reversed total RNA according an iScriptcDNA Synthesis Kit (Bio‐Rad Laboratories). Primers for PCR detection were designed and synthesized according to the information of target gene sequences, as shown in Table 1. The amplifications were performed in a 96‐well plate at 95°C for 10 minutes, followed by 40 cycles of 95°C for 15 seconds and 60°C for 1 minutes. Each sample was run in triplicate. The relative mRNAs expression was expressed using the 2−ΔΔCt method.
Table 1.
Primer sequence list
| Primer name | Primer sequence | Primer size (bp) |
|---|---|---|
| GAPDH‐F | GATGCCCCCATGTTCGTCAT | 181 |
| GAPDH‐R | TCTTCTGGGTGGCAGTGATG | |
| AKT‐F | TCCTCCTCAAGAATGATGGCA | 181 |
| AKT‐R | GTGCGTTCGATGACAGTGGT | |
| PI3K‐F | CCACGACCATCATCAGGTGAA | 112 |
| PI3K‐R | CCTCACGGAGGCATTCTAAAGT | |
| PDK1‐F | CTGTGATACGGATCAGAAACCG | 191 |
| PDK1‐R | TCCACCAAACAATAAAGAGTGCT |
2.2.8. Effect of CMV infection on NK cytokines
Magnetic activated cell sorting system were used to isolate peripheral blood NK cells and decidual NK cells from normal pregnant women and collect decidual mononuclear cells. NK cells were inoculated in 96‐well plates and cultured for 3 days. NK cells and supernatant were collected for subsequent detection. Groups were divided as the following: CMV infection group: TCM was infected CMV for 72 hours; TCM control group: normal TCM without infecting; Control group: only NK cell growth fluid. FITC‐anti‐IFN‐γ, PE‐anti‐IL‐17 and APC‐anti‐IL‐4 were added and incubated at 4°C for 30 minutes; then, flow cytometry was used to detect the contents of NK cell surface molecules and cytokines.
2.3. Statistical analysis
All experiments were replicated independently at least three times. The data were analysed using one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and are presented as the mean ± standard deviation (SD). Statistical significance was defined as P < .05.
2.4. Data and resource availability
All data generated or analysed during this study are included here in the published article. No applicable resources were generated or analysed during the current study.
3. RESULTS
3.1. CMV toxicity measurement
After infection of CMV infection on HTR‐8/SV neo cells for 72 hours, 50% critical infection rate of 70 and 50% low critical infection rate of 30 were recorded. According to the formula, TCID50 = lg(1/10−5)+(70−50)/(70−20) × lg10 = 5.4. The TCID50 of CMV infection HTR‐8/SV neo cells was 10−5.4.
3.2. The CMV infection model establishment of HTR‐8/SV neo cells
After CMV AD169 infecting HTR‐8/SV Neo cells, it was found that the cells were in normal state before infection, with fewer dead cells. After CMV AD169 infection, the number of cell death increased, as shown in Figure 1. Under the inverted microscope, the morphology of normal cells was fusiform, organelles were intact, intercellular boundaries were clear, and cells showed good monolayer growth. After infection, the cytopathic changes gradually became obvious with the extension of time, such as cell enlargement, swelling, gap widening, dimpling, serious organelle destruction, cell gap enlargement, and exfoliated cells and cell fragments in the culture medium.
FIGURE 1.
Microscope images of HTR‐8/SV Neo cells were infected by CMV. left, before infection; right, after infection
3.3. CMV pp65 antigen was detected by immunofluorescence chemistry
The results of immunofluorescence chemistry showed that a large number of fluorescent green CMV pp65 antigen signals appeared in the cytoplasm of HTR‐8/SV Neo cells of CMV infection group, while no CMV pp65 antigen signal in the control group (Figure 2A). Moreover, the fluorescence brightness of CMV infection group was significantly higher than that of the Control group. This suggested that the model of HTR‐8/SV Neo cells infected with CMV was successfully established. The CMVpp65 positive rate in the CMV infection group was 22.9 ± 3.6%, much higher than that in Control group (8.0 ± 1.4%), as shown in Figure 2B. There was a significant difference (P＜.01).
FIGURE 2.
CMV pp65 antigen was detected by immunofluorescence chemistry. A, Fluorescent images, left: control group, right: CMV infection group (×200), fluorescent green signals were CMV pp65 antigen. B, The CMV pp65 positive rate of control group and CMV infection group, there was a significant difference. **P < .01 compared with control group. Data are shown as mean ± SD (n = 6 independent experiments)
3.4. Proliferation migration of HTR‐8/SV Neo cells
Cell migration refers to the movement of cells after receiving a migration signal or sensing a concentration gradient of certain substances. Compared with the control group, the number of cell migration in the CMV infection group was significantly reduced. The stained cells were shown in blue, as shown in Figure 3A. The statistical analysis results were shown in Figure 3B. The average number of cells migrated in the control group was 64 ± 10. The CMV infection group was 155 ± 20, and the control group was significantly higher than the CMV infection group, with statistically significant differences (P < .01). The disease venom can significantly inhibit the proliferation of HTR‐8/SV Neo cells within 24 hours, and CMV can infect and replicate in cells to inhibit the proliferation of cells.
FIGURE 3.
A, Microscopic image of HTR‐8/SV Neo cells, left: control group; right: CMV infection group. B, Migration cell number of control group and CMV infection group, there was a significant difference. **P < .01 compared with control group. Data are shown as mean ± SD (n = 6 independent experiments)
3.5. Western blot analysis of PDK1, AKT‐S473 and AKT‐S308 expression
The expression of proteins PDK1, AKT‐S473, AKT‐S308 was detected by Western Blot. As shown in Figure 4, proteins PDK1, AKT‐S473 and AKT‐S308 all significantly increased in CMV infection group compared with the control group. There was a significant difference (P < .01).
FIGURE 4.
Protein levels of PDK1, AKT‐S473 and AKT‐S308 in different groups determined by Western blotting. A, Grey level images of different protein in control group and CMV infection. B, Relative expression of proteins of PDK1, AKT‐S473 and AKT‐S308. **P < .01 compared with control group. Data are shown as mean ± SD (n = 3 independent experiments)
3.6. Expression of AKT, PI3K and PDK1 mRNA in PI3K/AKT signalling pathway
The expression of AKT, PI3K and PDK1 mRNA in CMV infection group was obviously higher than that of control group. There was a significant difference (P < .01) (Figure 5).
FIGURE 5.
Relative levels of AKT, PI3K and PDK1 mRNA expression. A, the ratio of AKT/GAPDH; B, the ratio of PI3K/GAPDH; C, the ratio of PDK1/GAPDH. **P < .01 compared with control group. Data are shown as mean ± SD (n = 6 independent experiments)
3.7. Effect of CMV infection on NK cytokines
The levels of IL‐17, IL‐4 and IFN‐γ were 8.7 ± 0.48%, 12.17 ± 0.61% and 6.66 ± 0.25%, respectively, in CMV infection group. There is a significant difference, P＜0.05 in comparison with TCM group (5.47 ± 0.32%, 7.20 ± 0.48%, 3.94 ± 0.37%). P＜0.01 in comparison with control group (3.31 ± 0.28, 2.96 ± 2.52%, 1.56 ± 1.34%) (Figure 6).
FIGURE 6.
The expression of cytokines in each group was analysed by flow analysis. A, The level of IL‐17; B: the level of IL‐4; C: the level of IFN‐γ. *P < .05, **P < .01 compared with control group. Data are shown as mean ± SD (n = 6 independent experiments)
4. DISCUSSION
CMV is a frequent cause of intrauterine infection, occurring in 0.2%–2.5% of live births in developed countries and 0.6%–6.1% in developing countries. 10 CMV pp65 was one of the most important envelope proteins produced at the early stage of CMV replication, which promoted virus replication by regulating CMV gene expression and inhibited host cell metabolism. 11 Pregnancy infection with CMV could cause miscarriage, stillbirth, intrauterine growth retardation, etc. During normal pregnancy, EVT plays an important role in embryo implantation and maternal‐fetal immune tolerance. Through proliferation, migration and invasion of the uterine decidua and superficial muscle layer, EVT carries out physiological reconstruction of the spiral uterine artery, ensuring the normal blood supply to the embryo or foetus. 12 Fisher et al 13 reported that EVT is the main route of intrauterine infection of CMV. In this study, it was found that CMV could infect the EVT HTR‐8/SV Neo cells, and there were a large number of CMV pp65 antigen signals in the cells, which were duplicated in the cells, leading to the decline of cell proliferation, poor uterine spiral artery reconstruction, insufficient blood supply of the placenta, and abortion, stillbirth and intrauterine growth delay. 14 , 15
EVT was the main constituent cells of the placenta at the mother‐foetus interface, which could regulate the immune active cells of the mother's decidua and participate in maternal‐fetal immune tolerance through direct contact with the decidual membrane, secretion of cytokines. 16 Once the immune crosstalk disorder at the maternal‐fetal interface appeared, it would lead to abortion and other pathological pregnancy. 17 In this study, a CMV infection HTR‐8/SV Neo cell model was established in vitro. Then, the immune state of NK cells at the maternal‐fetal interface during CMV infection was simulated, and related cytokines were detected. NK cells could release a variety of cytokines, especially IFN‐γ, which was conducive to the differentiation of Th1 and the inhibition of Th2 by secreting IFN‐γ, thus affecting the acquired immune system. IFN‐γ was mainly secreted by Th1 cells, and IL‐4 and IL‐17 were mainly secreted by Th2 cells. These factors played an immunosuppressive role in immune response and were one of the main regulatory mechanisms to maintain immune tolerance. 18 , 19 Researchers have found that over expression of AKT promoted the expression of IFN‐γ, IL‐4 and IL‐17 in CMV infection HTR‐8/SV Neo cells, suggesting that the mechanism might target AKT to promote the PI3K/ AKT signalling pathway. The PI3K/AKT signalling pathway could regulate cell cycle, cell growth and cell proliferation and was closely related to cell differentiation. 20 , 21 It was also involved in the differentiation of immune cells and played a regulatory role in development and functional activity.
5. CONCLUSION
Cytomegalovirus infection inhibited the proliferation of extravillous cytotrophoblast (EVT) cells, weakened the invasion ability and inhibited the immune function of NK cells at the maternal‐fetal interface, resulting in the abnormal maternal‐fetal crosstalk.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors have declared no conflict of interest.
AUTHOR CONTRIBUTION
JY and XL were responsible for conception and design of the study. YC, ZF, LC and QH participated in the collection of data and samples. XL and QC performed the laboratory tests. XL and YC did the statistical analysis and wrote the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript.
Lin X, Chen Y, Fang Z, et al. Effects of cytomegalovirus infection on extravillous trophoblast cells invasion and immune function of NK cells at the maternal‐fetal interface. J Cell Mol Med. 2020;24:11170–11176. 10.1111/jcmm.15638
Xiaoqian Lin and Yusha Chen contributed equally to this work.
Funding information
Fujian Science and Technology Project (2019J05138). Fujian Provincial Health Technology Project (2019‐ZQN‐25). Technology Project of Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University (YCXQ18‐08). National Health and Family Planning Commission Science Foundation (2019‐WJ‐04). Key Clinical Specialty Discipline Construction of Fujian, China ([2015]No.593).
Contributor Information
Xiaoqian Lin, Email: michaelqian88@126.com.
Yusha Chen, Email: 675472752@qq.com.
Zhuanji Fang, Email: fangzhuanji198208@126.com.
Qingshan Chen, Email: 1340157213@qq.com.
Lichun Chen, Email: 848177531@qq.com.
Qing Han, Email: fjcherry22@163.com.
Jianying Yan, Email: yanjy2019@fjmu.edu.cn.
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
Data were available on request from the corresponding author.
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Associated Data
This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.
Data Availability Statement
Data were available on request from the corresponding author.