Organotypic models of type III interferon-mediated protection from Zika virus infections at the maternal-fetal interface

Very little is known about the specific mechanisms by which viruses such as Zika virus (ZIKV) cross the placental barrier to access the fetal compartment. This is in part owing to the lack of appropriate systems by which to model the unique properties of human placental syncytiotrophoblasts, which form the key cellular interface between the maternal and fetal compartments. Here, we describe the development of new organotypic models of placental syncytiotrophoblasts that can be used to study the unique mechanism by which these cells restrict ZIKV infection. These models can be used to study the mechanism(s) of ZIKV vertical transmission, which can be used for ZIKV diagnostics and the testing of anti-ZIKV therapeutics.