Interferon Epsilon Signaling Confers Attenuated Zika Replication in Human Vaginal Epithelial Cells.

ABSTRACT: Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging flavivirus that causes congenital birth defects and neurological compilations in the human host. Although ZIKV is primarily transmitted through infected mosquitos, recent studies reveal sexual contact as a potential transmission route. In vagina-bearing individuals, the vaginal epithelium constitutes the first line of defense against viruses. However, it is unclear how ZIKV interacts with the vaginal epithelium to initiate ZIKV transmission. In this study, we demonstrate that exposing ZIKV to human vaginal epithelial cells (hVECs) resulted in de novo viral RNA replication, increased envelope viral protein production, and a steady, extracellular release of infectious viral particles. Interestingly, our data show that, despite an increase in viral load, the h

SUBMITTER: Mungin JW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9415962 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature