# Mechanisms of Zika Virus Maternal-Fetal Transmission

> **NIH NIH R01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $600,856

## Abstract

Project Summary:
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging mosquito-transmitted flavivirus that has become a global public health threat.
ZIKV infection has now been causally linked to cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome in adults and microcephaly,
intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and spontaneous abortion in the setting of maternal infection during
pregnancy. Given the recognition of this causal relationship, it is imperative to determine the mechanism(s) of
maternal-fetal transmission. Insights into such mechanisms could improve our ability to reduce the burden of
the effects of Zika virus infection during pregnancy. The goal of this collaborative and interactive project is to
define how host defense responses can control or possibly contribute to ZIKV pathogenesis during and after
pregnancy. The premise is based on the extensive newly published data showing that ZIKV infection of
pregnant mice results in infection of the placenta, in utero transmission, and injury to the developing fetus. O
ur
central hypotheses are that
maternal-fetal transmission occurs because ZIKV overcomes placental trophoblast
host defenses (autophagy) (Aim 1), usurps TAM receptors to enter placental trophoblasts and endothelial cells
(Aim 2); and this entire process is enhanced in flavivirus-immune individuals or animals who have sufficient
levels of cross-reactive, non-neutralizing anti-ZIKV antibodies that promote ADE (Aim 3). Collectively, our
efforts will be highly significant for understanding ZIKV pathogenesis. This work will provide a foundation for
clinical studies that define the risks of maternal to child transmission of ZIKV, generate possible new
therapeutic approaches, and determine the interaction between ZIKV and natural immunity to other
flaviviruses.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9902480
- **Project number:** 5R01HD091218-04
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael S Diamond
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $600,856
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-04-01 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9902480

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9902480, Mechanisms of Zika Virus Maternal-Fetal Transmission (5R01HD091218-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9902480. Licensed CC0.

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