Zika virus exposure affects neuron-glia communication in the hippocampal slices of adult rats.

ABSTRACT: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy was associated with microcephaly in neonates, but clinical and experimental evidence indicate that ZIKV also causes neurological complications in adults. However, the changes in neuron-glial communication, which is essential for brain homeostasis, are still unknown. Here, we report that hippocampal slices from adult rats exposed acutely to ZIKV showed significant cellular alterations regarding to redox homeostasis, inflammatory process, neurotrophic functions and molecular signalling pathways associated with neurons and glial cells. Our findings support the hypothesis that ZIKV is highly neurotropic and its infection readily induces an inflammatory response, characterized by an increased expression and/or release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. W

SUBMITTER: Bobermin LD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7729948 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature