Anatomical, animal, and cellular evidence for Zika-induced pathogenesis of fetal microcephaly
Jing-Zhang Wang1, Xin-Hua Guo1, Dian-Guo Xu1
1Hebei University of Engineering, Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Handan 056002, Hebei Province, PR China.
Abstract:
Several recent articles published by Brain and Development in 2016 demonstrated some rare, but innovative, genetic mechanisms for microcephaly. This concise mini-review presented another novel pathogenic mechanism for microcephaly, which has actually been a worldwide medical challenge since the World Health Organization (WHO) defined the outbreak of the Zika virus (ZIKV) as an International Public Health Emergency on 1 Feb, 2016. As a recent noteworthy clinical phenomenon, the ZIKV outbreak was accompanied by a dramatically increased number of microcephalus fetuses. However, no direct evidence supporting the suspected pathogenic effects of ZIKV on fetal microcephaly was shown previously before 2016. Herein, we evaluated the most important human pathological, animal developmental, and neuro-cytotoxic findings released in 2016, and highlighted the original experimental evidence that strengthens the potential link between ZIKV and the high incidence of microcephaly in new-born babies. Because killing mosquitoes via insecticides is currently the only effective way to suppress ZIKV-induced disorders, the animal and cellular models described in this mini-review are very beneficial to anti-ZIKV drug development and vaccine assessment.
Insights
The Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in 2016 was linked to increased microcephaly cases. This review highlights evidence connecting ZIKV to fetal microcephaly, aiding in developing countermeasures.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Virology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Microcephaly presents a significant global health challenge.
- The 2016 Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak was declared a public health emergency.
- A rise in fetal microcephaly cases coincided with the ZIKV outbreak.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence linking Zika virus (ZIKV) to microcephaly.
- To highlight experimental findings supporting ZIKV's role in fetal microcephaly.
- To underscore the importance of animal and cellular models for ZIKV research.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of human pathological findings from 2016.
- Analysis of animal developmental studies published in 2016.
- Assessment of neuro-cytotoxic data related to ZIKV in 2016.
Main Results:
- Experimental evidence strengthens the association between ZIKV infection and microcephaly.
- Pathological and developmental studies from 2016 provide crucial insights.
- Neuro-cytotoxicity data supports ZIKV's detrimental effects on neural development.
Conclusions:
- The review consolidates evidence implicating ZIKV in the increased incidence of microcephaly.
- Animal and cellular models are vital for understanding ZIKV pathogenesis.
- These models are instrumental for developing anti-ZIKV drugs and vaccines.
