Placentas From SARS-CoV-2 Infection During Pregnancy Exhibit Foci of Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage
Language
English
Publication Date
1-1-2025
Journal
American Journal of Reproductive Immunology
DOI
10.1111/aji.70034
PMID
39739931
PMCID
PMC12743323
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
12-28-2025
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Author MSS
Abstract
Problem: COVID-19 during pregnancy is linked to increased maternal morbidity and a higher incidence of preterm births (PTBs), yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Cellular senescence, characterized by the irreversible cessation of cell division, is a critical process in placental function, and its dysregulation has been implicated in pregnancy complications like PTB. Senescence can be induced by various stressors, including oxidative stress, DNA damage, and viral infections.
Method of study: In this study, we determined whether COVID-19 had an impact on placental senescence. We examined placentas from women infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (n = 10 term, 4 preterm) compared to uninfected controls (n = 10 term, 3 preterm). The placentas were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 infection (spike and nucleocapsid viral proteins), markers of DNA damage (γH2AX) and oxidative stress (ROS), and senescence (telomere length, cell cycle regulators, and senescence-associated secretory phenotype [SASP]).
Results: Although no overall differences in cellular senescence markers were observed between the COVID-19 positive and negative groups, we found increased secreted SASP markers. Confocal microscopy of placentas from COVID-19 positive cases revealed localized areas of oxidative stress and DNA damage colocalized with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
Conclusions: These findings indicate that SARS-CoV-2 infection induces localized focal placental damage, warranting further investigation into its impact on maternal and perinatal outcomes.
Keywords
Humans, Female, Pregnancy, COVID-19, Oxidative Stress, DNA Damage, Placenta, SARS-CoV-2, Pregnancy Complications, Infectious, Cellular Senescence, Adult, Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus, Coronavirus Infections, Histones, Betacoronavirus, Pneumonia, Viral, Phosphoproteins, Pandemics, Reactive Oxygen Species, Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins, Cellular Senescence, Cell damage, COVID-19, DNA damage, Reactive Oxygen Species, SARS-CoV-2
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Nobrega, Guilherme M; McColl, Eliza R; Antolini-Tavares, Arthur; et al., "Placentas From SARS-CoV-2 Infection During Pregnancy Exhibit Foci of Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Students Publications. 6340.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/6340