Characterization of Campylobacter Rectus Infection in Vitro and Its Effects on Mouse Placental Function in Vivo

Characterization of Campylobacter Rectus Infection in Vitro and Its Effects on Mouse Placental Function in Vivo Public Deposited

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Diaz, Patricia Ines
- Affiliation: School of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology

Abstract

Campylobacter rectus is as a possible cause in the association between periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes. In this study we evaluated the effect of a distant infection with Campylobacter rectus on the fetal placental unit at the murine gestational day E14.5 and characterized the in vitro interactions of C. rectus with cells similar to those found in the placenta, ie. trophoblast and endothelial cells. Scarce infection with C. rectus was directly visualized within the placentas of challenged mice, which presented with decreased placental weight and fetal-placental unit weight and altered placental morphology. C. rectus infection dysregulated angiogenic gene expression in the placenta and in trophoblast murine cells in vitro. C. rectus was also capable of invasion of human trophoblast and endothelial cells while was only able to penetrate cell junctions in murine trophoblasts. The results illustrate the potential for C. rectus to affect placental/fetal development in mice and humans.

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