A placental specific miRNA miR-517a-3p exerts anti-human cytomegalovirus activity

Placenta. 2021 Sep 1:112:62-65. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.06.013. Epub 2021 Jul 2.

Abstract

Human cytomegalovirus congenital infection is the leading non-genetic cause of fetal malformation in developed countries. There are currently no safe antivirals for use during pregnancy. Placental trophoblast cells specifically secrete exosomes containing miRNA from the chromosome 19 miRNA cluster (C19MC) which confer viral resistance to recipient cells. We show the highly expressed C19MC miRNA miR-517a-3p inhibits HCMV replication and viral protein expression in both fibroblast and trophoblast cell cultures (71.6% and 50.4% inhibition of HCMV DNA at 7 days post infection respectively; p < 0.05). This naturally occurring molecule has potential for opening-up antiviral therapeutic strategies for pregnancy.

Keywords: Antivirals; Congenital infection; Cytomegalovirus; Placenta; Pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytomegalovirus*
  • Female
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / immunology*
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • MIRN517 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs