An update on preclinical pregnancy models of Zika virus infection for drug and vaccine discovery

Author(s)

Benazzato, Cecilia ^[1] ; Russo, Fabiele Baldino ^{[1, 2]} ; Beltrao-Braga, Patricia Cristina Baleeiro ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Microbiol, Dis Modeling Lab, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Sci Plataform Pasteur USP, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: EXPERT OPINION ON DRUG DISCOVERY; v. 17, n. 1 SEP 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Introduction Congenital Zika syndrome is caused by Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy and can culminate in structural and neurological defects in the fetus, including a spectrum of symptoms such as brain calcifications, hydrocephalus, holoprosencephaly, lissencephaly, ventriculomegaly, and microcephaly. Using animal models to study ZIKV infection during pregnancy represents a critical tool for understanding ZIKV pathophysiology, drug testing, vaccine development, and prevention of vertical transmission. Areas covered In this review, the authors cover state-of-the-art preclinical pregnancy models of ZIKV infection for drug discovery and vaccine development to prevent vertical transmission. Expert opinion The discovery of drugs against ZIKV infection represents an urgent necessity, and until now, no effective drug that can prevent the effects of vertical transmission has been tested in humans. Even after six years of the ZIKV outbreak in Brazil, no drugs or vaccines have been approved for use in humans. In part, this failure could be related to the lack of translatability from available preclinical models to humans. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/16748-8 - INVESTIGATION OF ZIKA VIRUS ACTION IN CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM CELLS: MODELING INFECTION IN HUMAN ASTROCYTES DERIVED FROM INDUCED PLURIPOTENT CELLS
• Grantee: Patricia Cristina Baleeiro Beltrão Braga
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/02978-6 - Cell modeling Autism Spectrum Disorder patients using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)
• Grantee: Fabiele Baldino Russo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral