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Updated: Mar 9, 2026
Zika Virus Infectious Cell Culture System and the In Vitro Prophylactic Effect of Interferons
Published on: August 23, 2016
Simple reverse genetics systems for Asian and African Zika viruses
Thérèse Atieh1, Cécile Baronti1, Xavier de Lamballerie1,2
1UMR "Emergence des Pathologies Virales" (EPV: Aix-Marseille university - IRD 190 - Inserm 1207 - EHESP), Marseille, 13385, France.
Abstract:
Zika virus (ZIKV), a typical example of a re-emerging pathogen, recently caused large outbreaks in Pacific islands and the Americas, associated with congenital diseases and neurological complications. Deciphering the natural history, ecology and pathophysiology of this mosquito-borne pathogen requires effective reverse genetics tools. In the current study, using the bacterium-free 'Infectious Subgenomic Amplicons' (ISA) method, we generated and made available to the scientific community via the non-profit European Virus Archive collection, two simple and performing reverse genetics systems for ZIKV. One is based on an Asian ZIKV strain belonging to the outbreak lineage (French Polynesia 2013). The second was designed from the sequence of a low-passaged ZIKV African strain (Dakar 1984). Using the ISA procedure, we derived wild-type and a variety of specifically engineered ZIKVs in days (intra- and inter-lineage chimeras). Since they are based on low-passaged ZIKV strains, these engineered viruses provide ideal tools to study the effect of genetic changes observed in different evolutionary time-scales of ZIKV as well as pathophysiology of ZIKV infections.
Insights
Researchers developed simple reverse genetics tools for Zika virus (ZIKV) using the Infectious Subgenomic Amplicons (ISA) method. These tools enable rapid generation of engineered ZIKV strains for studying disease mechanisms and evolution.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Zika virus (ZIKV) is a re-emerging mosquito-borne pathogen linked to severe congenital and neurological conditions.
- Effective reverse genetics systems are crucial for understanding ZIKV's natural history, ecology, and pathophysiology.
- Existing tools may not fully capture the complexities of ZIKV evolution and disease mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and provide accessible, high-performing reverse genetics systems for Zika virus.
- To create tools based on both Asian outbreak and African ZIKV strains.
- To facilitate research into ZIKV's evolutionary dynamics and disease pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the bacterium-free Infectious Subgenomic Amplicons (ISA) method.
- Generated reverse genetics systems from low-passaged Asian (French Polynesia 2013) and African (Dakar 1984) ZIKV strains.
- Engineered wild-type and variant ZIKV strains, including intra- and inter-lineage chimeras.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated two simple and effective reverse genetics systems for ZIKV.
- Provided these systems to the scientific community through the European Virus Archive.
- Rapidly derived engineered ZIKV variants within days using the ISA procedure.
- Developed tools based on low-passaged ZIKV strains, preserving original genetic characteristics.
Conclusions:
- The developed ISA-based reverse genetics systems are valuable tools for ZIKV research.
- These systems enable the study of ZIKV evolution and the pathophysiology of infections.
- The availability of these tools will accelerate investigations into ZIKV's complex biology and disease impact.
