Asian Zika virus strains target CD14+ blood monocytes and induce M2-skewed immunosuppression during pregnancy

Nat Microbiol. 2017 Nov;2(11):1558-1570. doi: 10.1038/s41564-017-0016-3. Epub 2017 Aug 21.

Abstract

Blood CD14+ monocytes are frontline immunomodulators categorized into classical, intermediate or non-classical subsets, and subsequently differentiated into M1 pro- or M2 anti-inflammatory macrophages on stimulation. Although the Zika virus (ZIKV) rapidly establishes viraemia, the target cells and immune responses, particularly during pregnancy, remain elusive. Furthermore, it is unknown whether African- and Asian-lineage ZIKV have different phenotypic impacts on host immune responses. Using human blood infection, we identified CD14+ monocytes as the primary target for African- or Asian-lineage ZIKV infection. When immunoprofiles of human blood infected with ZIKV were compared, a classical/intermediate monocyte-mediated M1-skewed inflammation by the African-lineage ZIKV infection was observed, in contrast to a non-classical monocyte-mediated M2-skewed immunosuppression by the Asian-lineage ZIKV infection. Importantly, infection of the blood of pregnant women revealed an enhanced susceptibility to ZIKV infection. Specifically, Asian-lineage ZIKV infection of pregnant women's blood led to an exacerbated M2-skewed immunosuppression of non-classical monocytes in conjunction with a global suppression of type I interferon-signalling pathway and an aberrant expression of host genes associated with pregnancy complications. Also, 30 ZIKV+ sera from symptomatic pregnant patients showed elevated levels of M2-skewed immunosuppressive cytokines and pregnancy-complication-associated fibronectin-1. This study demonstrates the differential immunomodulatory responses of blood monocytes, particularly during pregnancy, on infection with different lineages of ZIKV.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Female
  • Fibronectins
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance*
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Interferon Type I / immunology
  • Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / immunology*
  • Macrophages / virology
  • Monocytes / physiology
  • Monocytes / virology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / immunology*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Young Adult
  • Zika Virus / genetics
  • Zika Virus / immunology
  • Zika Virus / physiology*
  • Zika Virus Infection / immunology*
  • Zika Virus Infection / virology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • FN1 protein, human
  • Fibronectins
  • Interferon Type I
  • Lipopolysaccharide Receptors