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Updated: Jan 5, 2026
Evaluation of Zika Virus-specific T-cell Responses in Immunoprivileged Organs of Infected Ifnar1-/- Mice
Published on: October 17, 2018
Molecular signatures associated with prostate cancer cell line (PC-3) exposure to inactivated Zika virus
Jeany Delafiori1, Estela de Oliveira Lima2, Mohamed Ziad Dabaja1
1Innovare Biomarkers Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract:
The recent outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection associated with microcephaly cases has elicited much research on the mechanisms involved in ZIKV-host cell interactions. It has been described that Zika virus impairs cell growth, raising a hypothesis about its oncolytic potential against cancer cells. ZIKV tumor cell growth inhibition was later confirmed for glioblastoma. It was also demonstrated that an inactivated ZIKV prototype (ZVp) based on bacterial outer membrane vesicles has antiproliferative activity upon other cancer cell lines, such as PC-3 prostate cancer cell. This study aims at understanding the pathways that might be involved with the antiproliferative effect of Zika virus against prostate cancer cells. A metabolomic approach based on high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis led to the identification of 21 statistically relevant markers of PC-3 cells treated with ZVp. The markers were associated with metabolic alterations that trigger lipid remodeling, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammatory mediators, as well as disrupted porphyrin and folate metabolism. These findings highlight molecular signatures of ZVp-induced response that may be involved on cellular pathways triggered by its antiproliferative effect. To our knowledge, this is the first reported metabolomic assessment of ZIKV effect on prostate cancer cells, a promising topic for further research.
Insights
Zika virus (ZIKV) shows potential as an anti-cancer agent, inhibiting prostate cancer cell growth. Metabolomic analysis revealed key metabolic pathways altered by an inactivated ZIKV prototype (ZVp), offering insights into its antiproliferative effects.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Oncology
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has been linked to microcephaly, prompting research into ZIKV-host interactions.
- ZIKV's ability to impair cell growth suggests potential oncolytic properties against cancer cells.
- Previous studies confirmed ZIKV's growth inhibition in glioblastoma and demonstrated antiproliferative activity of an inactivated ZIKV prototype (ZVp) in other cancer cell lines, including PC-3 prostate cancer cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the metabolic pathways involved in the antiproliferative effect of Zika virus against prostate cancer cells.
- To identify molecular signatures associated with ZVp treatment in PC-3 cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a metabolomic approach employing high-resolution mass spectrometry.
- Analyzed PC-3 prostate cancer cells treated with an inactivated ZIKV prototype (ZVp).
Main Results:
- Identified 21 statistically significant metabolic markers in ZVp-treated PC-3 cells.
- Observed metabolic alterations including lipid remodeling, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammatory mediator changes, and disrupted porphyrin and folate metabolism.
- These markers represent molecular signatures of the ZVp-induced cellular response.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first metabolomic assessment of ZIKV's effect on prostate cancer cells.
- The findings highlight specific metabolic pathways potentially mediating ZVp's antiproliferative action.
- Further research into ZIKV as a therapeutic agent for prostate cancer is warranted.
