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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
09:11
Zika Virus Infectious Cell Culture System and the In Vitro Prophylactic Effect of Interferons
Published on: August 23, 2016
20.7K
Inactivation of Zika Virus with Hydroxypropyl-Beta-Cyclodextrin
Cory R Hewitt1, Nicholas J Wixon1, Arthur Gallegos1
1Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA.
Vaccines
|January 24, 2025
Summary
Beta-cyclodextrin (BCD) safely inactivates Zika virus (ZIKV) without damaging its envelope protein. This approach yields a non-infectious ZIKV that can be used for vaccine and antibody development.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Zika virus (ZIKV) poses significant health risks, with no current FDA-approved treatments or vaccines.
- ZIKV envelope protein (Env) variations and structure complicate vaccine and broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb) development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate beta-cyclodextrin (BCD) as a method for inactivating ZIKV.
- To determine if BCD treatment preserves ZIKV envelope protein integrity for immunogenicity.
Main Methods:
- ZIKV was propagated and treated with BCD.
- Infectivity was assessed using immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR.
- Immunoreactivity, structural integrity, and immunogenicity were evaluated.
Main Results:
- BCD-treated ZIKV (200 mM) was non-infectious in cell culture.
- The treated ZIKV remained immunoreactive with Env-specific antibodies.
- Virion structure was preserved, and immunogenicity was confirmed in mice.
Conclusions:
- BCD effectively inactivates ZIKV while maintaining critical structural and antigenic properties.
- This method offers a promising strategy for developing ZIKV vaccines and antibodies.
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