OBJECTIVE:We studied whether the human placenta has the structural integrity to impede transplacental passage of cell-free human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 or p24 antigen from the maternal to the fetal circulation.
METHODS:Nine term human placentas from uncomplicated vaginal or cesarean section deliv eries were studied ex vivo with a placental perfusion apparatus to determine whether cell-free HIV-1 at 200-2000 tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50/mL) would pass to the fetal circu lation. Passage of virus or p24 was assessed by infectivity titration and/or p24 antigen capture enzyme immunoassay.
RESULTS:Infectious HIV-1 was not detected in any of the fetal perfusate samples taken periodically during experiments. Low concentrations of HIV-1 p24 antigen, however, were detected in fetal perfusate samples from three placentas.
CONCLUSIONS: The term human placenta effectively impedes passage of cell-free HIV-1 from the maternal to the fetal circulation. However, it may be permeable to passage of p24 anti gen. (J Soc Gynecol Invest 1994;1:45-8)
Schupback J.Human retrovirology facts and concepts. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1990 .
2.
Gwinn M., Pappaioanou M., George R., et al. Prevalence of HIV infection in childbearing women in the United States. Surveillance using newborn blood samples. JAMA1991; 265:1704-8.
3.
Schroder J.Passage of leukocytes from mother to fetus. Scand J Immunol1974;3:369-73.
4.
Kaufmann P., Schroeder H., Leuhtuaiss HP, Winterhager E.Are there membrane-lined channels through the trophoblasts ? A study with lanthanum hydroxide. Trophoblasts Res1987 ;2:557-91.
5.
Amirhessami-Aghili N., Spector SAHuman immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection of human placenta: Potential route for fetal infection. J Virol1991;65:2231-6.
6.
Lewis SH, Reynolds-Kohler C., Fox HE, Nelson JAHIV-1 in trophoblastic and villous Hofbauer cells, and haematological precursors in eight-week fetuses. Lancet1990 ;335: 565-8.
7.
EuropeanCollaborative Study. Children born to women with HIV-1 infection: Natural history and risk of transmission. Lancet1991 ;337:253-60.
8.
Douglas GC, King BFMaternal fetal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus: A review of possible routes and cellular mechanism of infection. Clin Infect Dis1992; 15:678-91.
9.
Bawdon RE, Sobhi S., Dax J.The transfer of anti-human immunodeficiency virus nucleoside compounds by the term human placenta. Am J Obstet Gynecol1992;167: 1570-4.
10.
Challier JCCriteria for evaluating perfusion experiments and presentation of results . In: Schneider H, Dancis J, eds. In vitro perfusion of human placental tissue . Vol. 13. Basel: Karger, 1985:32-9.
11.
Battaglia FC , Behrman RE, Meschia A., et al. Clearance of inert molecules Na and Cl ions across primate placenta. Am J Obstet Gynecol1968;102:1135-9.
12.
Schneider H.The role of the placenta in nutrition of the human fetus. Am J Obstet Gynecol1991;164:967-73.
13.
Hankins Gdv , Lowery CJ, Scott RT, et al. Transplacental transfer of Zidovudine in the near-term pregnant baboon. Am J Obstet Gynecol1990;163:728-32.
14.
Maga F., Thorndike V.Passage of drugs across the placenta. Am J Obstet Gynecol1962;84:1778-98.
