Effects of Maternal Campylobacter rectus Infection on Murine Placenta, Fetal and Neonatal Survival, and Brain Development

Abstract

Maternal C. rectus infection induces placental inflammation and decidual hyperplasia as well as concomitant increase in fetal brain IFN-gamma. Maternal infection increased pup mortality, and preliminary findings demonstrate ultrastructural changes in the hippocampal region of the neonatal brain, in a manner analogous to the effects of maternal infection on white matter damage seen in humans. Thus, the threat of maternal oral infectious exposure during pregnancy may not be limited to the duration of gestation, but may also potentially affect perinatal neurological growth and development.

Alzheimer's Disease and Peripheral Infections: The Possible Contribution from Periodontal Infections, Model and Hypothesis

“…In a subcutaneous chamber infection model, challenge of embryonic mice with C. rectus resulted in hippocampal morphological changes in pups including cytoplasmic vacuoles and cellular debris suggestive of cellular damage. Molecularly, the fetal brain of challenged embryos had about twice more TNF-α and IFN-γ m-RNA compared to nonchallenged embryos [88].…”

“…Since P. gingivalis LPS stimulates the human cells through CD14 and toll-like receptors (TLR-2 and 4), it has been suggested that perhaps brain-induced inflammation induced by P. gingivalis -derived LPS may be mediated by these receptors [50]. Additional evidence comes from Offenbacher's studies [88]. In a subcutaneous chamber infection model, challenge of embryonic mice with C. rectus resulted in hippocampal morphological changes in pups including cytoplasmic vacuoles and cellular debris suggestive of cellular damage.…”

Identification and Characterization of an Invasion Antigen B Gene from the Oral Pathogen Campylobacter rectus

“…As previously mentioned, C. rectus 314, like C. jejuni, has been shown to invade eukaryotic cells, including placental trophoblasts [23]. Invasion of placental trophoblasts is important, as previous studies have suggested that C. rectus plays a significant role in the preterm labors of mothers with periodontitis [10,11] and has the ability to translocate to the placenta, from a distant site of infection, in mouse models of periodontitis.…”

“…Serological data from human studies has implied that C. rectus, as part of the poly-microbial oral community, plays a role in the preterm labors of mothers with periodontitis [8]. Additionally, a pregnant mouse model has shown the association of C. rectus strain 314, isolated from a patient with periodontitis [9], with fetal growth restriction and a decreased survival of pups [10,11]. Although the aforementioned human and mouse studies have established C. rectus as an agent of periodontitis, the pathogenic mechanisms of C. rectus are not well elucidated.…”

Microbe-Induced Epigenetic Alterations

“…14.3.2 ) that may have systemic effects through bacteremia. In an experimental mouse infection model, maternal infection at a site distant to the placenta with the periodontal bacteria P. gingivalis and C. rectus induced intrauterine growth restriction (Lin et al 2003a, b ;Offenbacher et al 2005 ;Yeo et al 2005 ) . Campylobacter rectus infection of pregnant mice upregulated the expression of 9 genes in the placenta and downregulated the transcription of 65 genes.…”