Human Cytomegalovirus Modulates Expression of Noncanonical Wnt Receptor ROR2 To Alter Trophoblast Migration

Maternal primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, reactivation, or reinfection with a different viral strain may cause fetal injury and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Increasing evidence indicates that fetal injury results not only from direct viral cytopathic damage to the CMV-infected fetus but also from indirect effects through placental infection and dysfunction. CMV alters Wingless (Wnt) signaling, an essential cellular pathway involved in placentation, as evidenced by reduced transcription of canonical Wnt target genes and decreased Wnt3a-induced trophoblast migration. Whether CMV affects the noncanonical Wnt signaling pathway has been unclear. This study demonstrates for the first time that CMV infection inhibits Wnt5a-stimulated migration of human SGHPL-4 trophoblasts and that inhibition of the pathway restores normal migration of CMV-infected cells. Western blot and real-time PCR analyses show increased expression of noncanonical Wnt receptor ROR2 in CMV-infected trophoblasts. Mimicking the CMV-induced ROR2 protein expression via ectopic expression inhibited Wnt5a-induced trophoblast migration and reduced T cell-specific factor (TCF)/lymphoid enhancer-binding factor (LEF)-mediated transcription as measured using luciferase reporter assays. Gene silencing using small interfering RNA (siRNA) duplexes decreased ROR2 transcript and protein levels. In contrast, proliferation of SGHPL-4 trophoblasts, measured by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was not affected. The siRNA-mediated downregulation of ROR2 in trophoblasts rescued CMV-induced reduction in trophoblast migration. These data suggest a mechanism where CMV alters the expression of the Wnt receptor ROR2 to alter Wnt5a-mediated signaling and inhibit trophoblast motility. Inhibition of this mechanism may be a target for therapeutic intervention for CMV-induced placental damage and consequent fetal damage in congenital CMV infections.

Importance: Maternal primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, reactivation, or reinfection with a different viral strain may cause fetal injury and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Increasing evidence indicates that fetal injury results not only from direct viral cytopathic damage to the CMV-infected fetus but also from indirect effects through placental infection and placental dysfunction. No effective therapy is currently proven to prevent or treat congenital CMV infection. Understanding the molecular underpinnings of CMV infection of the placenta is essential for therapeutic innovations and vaccine design. CMV alters canonical Wingless (Wnt) signaling, an essential cellular pathway involved in placental development. This study suggests a mechanism in which CMV alters the expression of noncanonical Wnt receptor ROR2 to alter motility of placental cells, which has important implications in the pathogenesis of CMV-induced placental dysfunction. Inhibition of this mechanism may be a target for therapeutic intervention for CMV-induced placental damage and consequent fetal damage in congenital CMV infection.