Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) contributes to pathogenic processes in immunosuppressed individuals, in fetuses, and in neonates. In the present report, by using reporter gene activation assays and confocal microscopy in the presence of a specific antagonist, we show for the first time that HCMV infection induces peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) transcriptional activity in infected cells. We demonstrate that the PPARγ antagonist dramatically impairs virus production and that the major immediate-early promoter contains PPAR response elements able to bind PPARγ, as assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Due to the key role of PPARγ in placentation and its specific trophoblast expression within the human placenta, we then provided evidence that by activating PPARγ human cytomegalovirus dramatically impaired early human trophoblast migration and invasiveness, as assessed by using well-established in vitro models of invasive trophoblast, i.e., primary cultures of extravillous cytotrophoblasts (EVCT) isolated from first-trimester placentas and the EVCT-derived cell line HIPEC. Our data provide new clues to explain how early infection during pregnancy could impair implantation and placentation and therefore embryonic development.

Plasma concentrations of biologically active vitamin D (1,25-(OH)2D) are tightly controlled via feedback regulation of renal 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1; positive) and 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1; catabolic) enzymes. In pregnancy, this regulation is uncoupled, and 1,25-(OH)2D levels are significantly elevated, suggesting a role in pregnancy progression. Epigenetic regulation of CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 has previously been described in cell and animal models, and despite emerging evidence for a critical role of epigenetics in placentation generally, little is known about the regulation of enzymes modulating vitamin D homeostasis at the fetomaternal interface. In this study, we investigated the methylation status of genes regulating vitamin D bioavailability and activity in the placenta. No methylation of the VDR (vitamin D receptor) and CYP27B1 genes was found in any placental tissues. In contrast, the CYP24A1 gene is methylated in human placenta, purified cytotrophoblasts, and primary and cultured chorionic villus sampling tissue. No methylation was detected in any somatic human tissue tested. Methylation was also evident in marmoset and mouse placental tissue. All three genes were hypermethylated in choriocarcinoma cell lines, highlighting the role of vitamin D deregulation in this cancer. Gene expression analysis confirmed a reduced capacity for CYP24A1 induction with promoter methylation in primary cells and in vitro reporter analysis demonstrated that promoter methylation directly down-regulates basal promoter activity and abolishes vitamin D-mediated feedback activation. This study strongly suggests that epigenetic decoupling of vitamin D feedback catabolism plays an important role in maximizing active vitamin D bioavailability at the fetomaternal interface.