This document summarizes research on the expression of Zika virus receptors in different tissues of the maternal-fetal interface. It finds that various trophoblast cell types in the placenta and fetal membranes express receptors that Zika virus uses during the first and second trimesters. Specifically, it identifies that syncytiotrophoblasts, cytotrophoblasts, chorionic cytotrophoblasts, amniocytes, and decidua all express receptors like AXL that allow Zika virus to infect the embryo and fetus through the placenta and fetal membranes.

1. 3/9/2016
Placental and Decidual Expression
of Zika Virus Receptors: The Route
to Infection of the Embryo/Fetus
Susan Fisher, Ph.D.

2. The Maternal-Fetal Interface in Human Pregnancy
3/9/2016Preparedness for the Zika Virus: A Public Health Emergency
Romero R., Dey SK, Fisher SJ. (2014) Science. 345:760-5

3. 3/9/2016Preparedness for the Zika Virus: A Public Health Emergency
Anatomy of the
human maternal-
fetal interface.

4. Different Zika Virus Receptors* Are Expressed in
Different Extraembryonic Compartments (RNA-seq)
3/9/2016Preparedness for the Zika Virus: A Public Health Emergency
**Hamel et al., Biology of Zika Virus Infection in Human Skin Cells. J Virol. 2015.

5. Different Zika Virus Receptors Are Expressed in
Different Trophoblast Subpopulations (Laser
Capture Microdissection/Microarray)
3/9/2016Preparedness for the Zika Virus: A Public Health Emergency

6. 1st Trimester Floating Villi: Syncytiotrophoblasts and Cytotrophoblasts
Express Zika Virus Receptors
Preparedness for the Zika Virus: A Public Health Emergency 3/9/2016

7. 1st Trimester Anchoring Villi: Invading Cytotrophoblasts Express Zika
Virus Receptors
Preparedness for the Zika Virus: A Public Health Emergency 3/6/2016

8. 2nd trimester Trimester Floating Villi:
Syncytiotrophoblasts Express Zika Virus Receptors
Preparedness for the Zika Virus: A Public Health Emergency 3/6/2016

9. 2nd Trimester Anchoring Villi: Invading Cytotrophoblasts
Express Zika Virus Receptors
Preparedness for the Zika Virus: A Public Health Emergency 3/6/2016

10. 2nd Trimester Fetal Membranes: Decidua and Some
Chorionic Cytotrophoblasts Express AXL
Preparedness for the Zika Virus: A Public Health Emergency 3/6/2016

11. 2nd Trimester Fetal Membranes: Some Chorionic Cytotrophoblasts
and All Amniocytes Express AXL
Preparedness for the Zika Virus: A Public Health Emergency 3/6/2016

12. The Decidua, But Not The Fetal Membranes,
Expresses CD209.
Preparedness for the Zika Virus: A Public Health Emergency 3/6/2016

13. 3/9/2016Preparedness for the Zika Virus: A Public Health Emergency
Red Arrows:
Proposed Routes
by Which Zika
Virus Infection
Reaches the
Embryo/Fetus