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Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Quantification of Antibody-dependent Enhancement of the Zika Virus in Primary Human Cells
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Quantification of Antibody-dependent Enhancement of the Zika Virus in Primary Human Cells

Published on: January 18, 2019

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Characterisation of Zika virus infection in primary human astrocytes

Michal Stefanik1, Petra Formanova1, Tomas Bily2,3

  • 1Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 62100, Brno, Czech Republic.

BMC Neuroscience
|February 22, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Zika virus (ZIKV) infects human brain astrocytes, causing cellular changes and releasing inflammatory signals. This highlights astrocytes

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak linked to microcephaly and CNS pathologies.
  • Astrocytes are early responders and targets in ZIKV brain infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate ZIKV interaction with primary human brain cortical astrocytes (HBCAs).

Main Methods:

  • Infection of HBCAs with Asian and African ZIKV lineages.
  • Analysis of cytokine/chemokine response.
  • Ultrastructural characterization using electron tomography (ET).

Main Results:

  • HBCAs showed high sensitivity and viral yield to ZIKV.
  • Limited immune response observed, with notable increases in CXCL-10, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, and CCL5.
  • ET revealed significant endoplasmic reticulum rearrangement with viral particles and vesicles.

Conclusions:

  • Confirms human astrocytes are susceptible to ZIKV infection.
  • Suggests astrocytes may contribute to neuroinflammation in ZIKV-infected brains.
Keywords:
AstrocyteElectron tomographyFlavivirusImmune responseLuminexZika virus

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