We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Growth of Zika virus in Brain Stem Cells Implies Involvement in Microcephaly

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 15 Mar 2016
Print article
Image: Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of Zika virus. Virus particles are 40 nanometers in diameter, with an outer envelope, and an inner dense core. The arrow points to a single virus particle (Photo courtesy of the CDC - US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Image: Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of Zika virus. Virus particles are 40 nanometers in diameter, with an outer envelope, and an inner dense core. The arrow points to a single virus particle (Photo courtesy of the CDC - US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Experiments conducted in cultured human embryonic cortical neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) have demonstrated that these cells are readily infected by the Zika virus (ZIKV), which induces the cells to produce new Zika virus particles while disrupting normal cell metabolism in a fashion that eventually kills the cells.

Investigators at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD, USA) and colleagues at Florida State University (Tallahassee, USA) and Emory University (Atlanta, GA, USA) worked with hNPCs that had been derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells.

They reported in the March 4, 2016, online edition of the journal Cell Stem Cell that a strain of the ZIKV, MR766, serially passaged in monkey and mosquito cells efficiently infected hNPCs (more than 90% of cells were infected within three days). Infected hNPCs further released infectious ZIKV particles. ZIKV infection increased cell death and disrupted cell-cycle progression, resulting in attenuated hNPC growth.

Global gene expression analysis of infected hNPCs revealed transcriptional dysregulation, notably of cell-cycle-related pathways.

The results of this study point to hNPCs as being directly targeted by ZIKV. Furthermore, they describe an experimental model system to investigate the impact and mechanism of ZIKV on human brain development and provide a platform to screen therapeutic compounds.

“Studies of fetuses and babies with the telltale small brains and heads of microcephaly in Zika-affected areas have found abnormalities in the cortex, and Zika virus has been found in the fetal tissue,” said senior author Dr. Guo-li Ming, professor of neurology, neuroscience, psychiatry, and behavioral science at Johns Hopkins University. “While this study does not definitely prove that Zika virus causes microcephaly, it is very telling that the cells that form the cortex are potentially susceptible to the virus, and their growth could be disrupted by the virus.”

Related Links:

Johns Hopkins University
Florida State University
Emory University


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
Gold Member
Xylazine Immunoassay Test
Xylazine ELISA

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The cobas Malaria test is the first FDA-approved molecular test to screen U.S. blood donors for malaria (Photo courtesy of Roche)

First FDA-Approved Molecular Test to Screen Blood Donors for Malaria Could Improve Patient Safety

Malaria, a serious illness that often leads to death, is spread by a specific mosquito species that infect humans with a parasite. Other transmission modes include blood transfusions, organ transplants,... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The medical office procedure detects the key biomarker in Parkinson’s and related neurodegenerative diseases (Photo courtesy of BIDMC)

Simple Skin Biopsy Test Detects Parkinson’s and Related Neurodegenerative Diseases

Parkinson's disease and a group of related neurodegenerative disorders known as synucleinopathies impact millions globally. These conditions, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.