The Brazilian Zika virus strain causes birth defects in experimental models

Nature ^ | 5/11/2016 | Cugola FR, Fernandes, IR, et al.

[NYorkerInHouston]

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus belonging to the genus Flavivirus (family Flaviviridae) and was first described in 1947 in Uganda following blood analyses of sentinel Rhesus monkeys1. Until the twentieth century, the African and Asian lineages of the virus did not cause meaningful infections in humans. However, in 2007, vectored by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, ZIKV caused the first noteworthy epidemic on the Yap Island in Micronesia2. Patients experienced fever, skin rash, arthralgia and conjunctivitis2. From 2013 to 2015, the Asian lineage of the virus caused further massive outbreaks in New Caledonia and French Polynesia. In 2013, ZIKV reached Brazil, later spreading to other countries in South and Central America3. In Brazil, the virus has been linked to congenital malformations, including microcephaly and other severe neurological diseases, such as Guillain–Barré syndrome4, 5. Despite clinical evidence, direct experimental proof showing that the Brazilian ZIKV (ZIKVBR) strain causes birth defects remains absent6. Here we demonstrate that ZIKVBR infects fetuses, causing intrauterine growth restriction, including signs of microcephaly, in mice. Moreover, the virus infects human cortical progenitor cells, leading to an increase in cell death. We also report that the infection of human brain organoids results in a reduction of proliferative zones and disrupted cortical layers. These results indicate that ZIKVBR crosses the placenta and causes microcephaly by targeting cortical progenitor cells, inducing cell death by apoptosis and autophagy, and impairing neurodevelopment. Our data reinforce the growing body of evidence linking the ZIKVBR outbreak to the alarming number of cases of congenital brain malformations. Our model can be used to determine the efficiency of therapeutic approaches to counteracting the harmful impact of ZIKVBR in human neurodevelopment.

[NYorkerInHouston]

New article on Zika and microcephaly from Nature. Highly technical but laymens discussion available at The New Yorker under "A Stronger Link Between Zika and Birth Defects"

[colorado tanker]

Zika, brought to you by liberals who refuse to lift the ban on DDT despite science showing it is not harmful to humans. And aren’t we lucky the Department of Agriculture is refusing to allow in genetically altered skeeters that stop the Zikas from reproducing? If only we could persuade Ag those skeeters are Muslim refugees . . .

[samtheman]

Do they need volunteers to impregnate experimental models?

[moovova]

No dummy. They aren't talking about that kind of model. Here, let me help...

[samtheman]

Are you sure? Because really, I'm willing to do my part for medical research.

As long as it's me first and the mosquito second.

[VRW Conspirator]

Pssssst! Illegals brought this to USA.

[moovova]

LOL...wear protection!

[ml/nj]

Accidentally heard a story on NPR this morning. (The NPR station from 100 miles away overrides the station I want to listen to, which is about 15 miles away, when I drive down behind a hill.) They talked about how Zika affects pregnancies and how we need to spend more money to protect women. (NOT THE UNBORN!!)

ML/NJ