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Sexually dimorphic placental responses to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection

Bordt, E. A.; Shook, L. L.; Atyeo, C.; Pullen, K. M.; De Guzman, R. M.; Meinsohn, M.-C.; Chauvin, M.; Fischinger, S.; Yockey, L. J.; James, K.; Lima, R.; Yonker, L. M.; Fasano, A.; Brigida, S.; Bebell, L. M.; Roberts, D. J.; Pepin, D.; Huh, J. R.; Bilbo, S. D.; Li, J. Z.; Kaimal, A.; Schust, D.; Gray, K. J.; Lauffenburger, D.; Alter, G.; Edlow, A. G.

2021-03-29 immunology
10.1101/2021.03.29.437516 bioRxiv
Show abstract

There is a persistent male bias in the prevalence and severity of COVID-19 disease. Underlying mechanisms accounting for this sex difference remain incompletely understood. Interferon responses have been implicated as a modulator of disease in adults, and play a key role in the placental anti-viral response. Moreover, the interferon response has been shown to alter Fc-receptor expression, and therefore may impact placental antibody transfer. Here we examined the intersection of viral-induced placental interferon responses, maternal-fetal antibody transfer, and fetal sex. Placental interferon stimulated genes (ISGs), Fc-receptor expression, and SARS-CoV-2 antibody transfer were interrogated in 68 pregnancies. Sexually dimorphic placental expression of ISGs, interleukin-10, and Fc receptors was observed following maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection, with upregulation in males. Reduced maternal SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody titers and impaired placental antibody transfer were noted in pregnancies with a male fetus. These results demonstrate fetal sex-specific maternal and placental adaptive and innate immune responses to SARS-CoV-2.

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