Investigation Reveals Mechanism of Zika Infection in Human Placenta Leading to Foetal Mortality
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Synopsis
A recent study has uncovered the mechanism by which the Zika virus infects placental cells, leading to immune disruption and foetal death. The research highlights the role of tunnelling nanotubes in viral spread and suggests potential therapeutic strategies.
Key Takeaways
- The Zika virus uses tunnelling nanotubes to spread.
- NS1 protein facilitates tunnel formation in placental cells.
- Transport of mitochondria may help the virus evade defenses.
- Study published in Nature Communications.
- Insights could lead to new therapeutic strategies.
New Delhi, Feb 22 (NationPress) US scientists have unveiled the method by which the Zika virus stealthily propagates within placental cells, resulting in immune system disruptions and ultimately causing foetal death.
During pregnancy, infection with the Zika virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, is recognized for inducing neurological issues, developmental abnormalities in foetuses, and foetal mortality.
Previously, the exact mechanism through which the virus traverses the placenta, which supports the developing foetus and serves as a robust barrier against harmful microbes and chemicals, remained ambiguous.
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and Pennsylvania State University discovered that the Zika virus constructs underground pathways—tiny structures known as tunnelling nanotubes—that aid in the transfer of viral particles to adjacent uninfected cells.
The research team identified that a Zika protein called NS1 plays a crucial role in facilitating the development of these minuscule tunnels. "When placental cells are exposed to the NS1 protein of the Zika virus, it induces the formation of these tunnels. As they grow and connect with neighboring cells, a pathway emerges for the virus to invade new cells," explained Dr. Rafael T. Michita, a postdoctoral research associate at the Baylor lab.
"Zika is unique among its viral family, which includes dengue and West Nile viruses, as its NS1 protein promotes tunnel formation in various cell types.
"Viruses not related to Zika, such as HIV, herpes, influenza A, and SARS-CoV-2—the pathogen responsible for COVID-19—can also initiate the formation of tiny tunnels within the cells they infect, using these channels to disseminate to uninfected cells. This marks the first observation of tunnelling induced by Zika virus infection in placental cells," Michita added.
The research, published in the journal Nature Communications, demonstrated that these minuscule conduits not only transport viral particles but also RNA, proteins, and mitochondria, the primary energy source for cells, from infected to neighboring cells.
The transfer of mitochondria through these tunnels may not only energize virus-infected cells but could also enable the Zika virus to evade the antiviral mechanisms employed by the placenta, the researcher remarked.
The findings provide critical insights that could lead to the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at countering this covert transmission method.
