Zika Virus Infects Newborn Monocytes Without Triggering a Substantial Cytokine Response

Author(s)

Yamada Yoshikawa, Fabio Seiti ^[1] ; Pietrobon, Anna Julia ^{[2, 1]} ; Calvielli Castelo Branco, Anna Claudia ^{[2, 1]} ; Pereira, Natalli Zanete ^{[2, 1]} ; da Silva Oliveira, Luanda Mara ^[1] ; Machado, Clarisse Martins ^[3] ; da Silva Duarte, Alberto Jose ^[1] ; Sato, Maria Notomi ^{[2, 1]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Inst Med Trop, Lab Invest Dermatol & Imunodeficiencias, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Dept Imunol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Med Trop, Lab Virol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Infectious Diseases; v. 220, n. 1, p. 32-40, JUL 1 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a clinically important flavivirus that can cause neurological disturbances in newborns. Here, we investigated comparatively the outcome of in vitro infection of newborn monocytes by ZIKV. We observed that neonatal cells show defective production of interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 10, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 in response to ZIKV, although they were as efficient as adult cells in supporting viral infection. Although CLEC5A is a classical flavivirus immune receptor, it is not essential to the cytokine response, but it regulates the viral load only in adult cells. Greater expression of viral entry receptors may create a favorable environment for viral invasion in neonatal monocytes. We are the first to suggest a role for CLEC5A in human monocyte infectivity and to show that newborn monocytes are interesting targets in ZIKV pathogenesis, owing to their ability to carry the virus with only a partial triggering of the immune response, creating a potentially favorable environment for virus-related pathologies in young individuals. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/09764-1 - The role of C-type lectin receptors in the infection of newborn monocytes by Zika virus
• Grantee: Fábio Seiti Yamada Yoshikawa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 16/16840-6 - Analysis of antiviral factors and exosomes in trophoblasts and newborn monocytes in Zika virus in vitro infection
• Grantee: Maria Notomi Sato
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants