Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus associated with neurological disorders accompanying congenital infections. With no vaccine or antiviral approved, there is an urgent need for the development of effective antiviral agents against ZIKV infection. We evaluated the anti-ZIKV and immunomodulatory activity of ouabain, a Na/K-ATPase inhibitor known to have immunomodulatory and antiviral activities, using human neural stem and progenitor cells (hNS/PCs) and a murine model of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). Our data demonstrated that ouabain reduces ZIKV infection in hNS/PCs, mouse placenta, yolk sac, and the fetal head. Ouabain mitigated neurogenesis impairment triggered by ZIKV in hNS/PCs and prevented ZIKV-mediated reduction of fetus and head sizes. In addition, ouabain decreased tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1β levels in the placenta, highlighting its immunomodulatory activity in the murine model. Our findings indicate that ouabain possesses anti-ZIKV and immunomodulatory activities, suggesting that it should be investigated further as a promising treatment for CZS.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.12.021 | DOI Listing |
Nat Commun
December 2024
KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Virology, Antiviral Drug & Vaccine Research Group, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Leuven, Belgium.
The 2015-2016 Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in the Americas revealed the ability of ZIKV from the Asian lineage to cause birth defects, generically called congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). Notwithstanding the long circulation history of Asian ZIKV, no ZIKV-associated CZS cases were reported prior to the outbreaks in French Polynesia (2013) and Brazil (2015). Whether the sudden emergence of CZS resulted from an evolutionary event of Asian ZIKV has remained unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVirus Res
December 2024
Department of Virology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro (PD), Italy.
Among flaviviruses, Zika virus (ZIKV) is the only arbovirus officially recognized as a teratogenic agent, as a consequence of its ability to infect and cross the placental barrier causing congenital malformation in the fetus. While many studies have focused on understanding ZIKV pathogenesis during pregnancy, the viral mechanisms affecting fetal development remain largely unclear. In this study, we investigated ZIKV virulence in placental trophoblasts, using viruses with distinct lipid profiles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRev Bras Ortop (Sao Paulo)
December 2024
Instituto de Pesquisa Professor Joaquim Amorim Neto (IPESQ), Campina Grande, PB, Brasil.
To evaluate the effects of the botulinum toxin (BTX-A) on muscle tone and joint mobility in children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). This was a longitudinal case series carried out in a Support Center for Children with Microcephaly, located in Northeastern Brazil. We collected data from the institution's medical records, containing information about muscle tone and passive joint mobility measured at least 3 months before and 4 weeks after BTX-A application.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBrain Res
December 2024
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Morfológicas, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) is a condition that arises when a neonate presents with abnormalities resulting from Zika virus infection during gestation. While microcephaly is a prominent feature of the syndrome, other forms of brain damage are also observed, often accompanied by significant neurological complications. It is therefore essential to investigate the long-term effects of CZS, with special attention to sex differences, particularly concerning hippocampal function, given its vulnerability to viral infections.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Cell Infect Microbiol
December 2024
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death in infants and children under 5 years of age. exposure to viruses can lead to spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, congenital abnormalities or other developmental defects, often resulting in lifelong health sequalae. The underlying biological mechanisms are difficult to study in humans due to ethical concerns and limited sample access.
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