Work

Effect of COVID‐19 Infection During Pregnancy on the Plasma/Extracellular Vesicles Pro‐Inflammatory Cytokine Profile

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE: The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has impacted pregnant women significantly, with increased mortality and morbidity. The implications of this virus are linked to extracellular vesicles (EVs) and maternal inflammation due to the cytokine storm. Hence, this study aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the pro-inflammatory cytokine profile in both plasma and EVs of South African pregnant women. METHODS: Plasma samples were obtained from pregnant women in the third trimester, from which EVs were extracted using the Invitrogen Total Exosome Isolation Kit. These plasma-derived EVs were characterised using transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). RESULTS: COVID-19 infection in pregnancy did not significantly affect the average particle size and concentration of isolated EVs. The levels of IFN gamma, IL-6, MIP-1 alpha and TNF alpha were analysed in the plasma and circulating EVs through a multiplex assay. Compared to the control group, a significant increase in IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α and MIP-1α levels were observed in both plasma and EVs content of COVID-19 pregnancies. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that COVID-19 infection impacts the pro-inflammatory cytokine profile in the plasma and EVs of South African pregnant women.

Source: American Journal of Reproductive Immunology

DOI: 10.1111/aji.70071

Authors: C. Heeralall, Usri H. Ibrahim, M. Jenneker, S. Singh, L. Lazarus, Irene Mackraj

Institution: University of KwaZulu-Natal

Language: English

Topic: COVID-19 Impact on Reproduction

Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,460