Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne pathogen associated with microcephaly and other congenital abnormalities in newborns as well as neurologic complications in adults. The explosive transmission of the virus in the last ten years put it in the limelight and improved our understanding of its biology and pathology. Currently, no vaccine or drugs are available to prevent or treat ZIKV infections. Knowing the potential of flaviviruses to broaden their geographic distribution, as observed for the West Nile virus, it is of importance to develop novel antiviral strategies. In this work, we identified poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSSNa) as a new polymeric ZIKV inhibitor. We demonstrated that PSSNa inhibits ZIKV replication in vitro both in animal and human cells, while no cytotoxicity is observed. Our mechanistic studies indicated that PSSNa acts mostly through direct binding to ZIKV particle and blocking its attachment to the host cells.

Highlights

  • Zika virus (ZIKV) belongs to the Flaviviridae family, which encompasses viruses such as dengue virus, yellow fever virus, West Nile virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, and Japanese encephalitis virus [1]

  • poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSSNa) Shows No Toxicity Towards Somatic, Glioblastoma and Primary Cells

  • XTT assay was carried out to assess the cytotoxicity of PSSNa

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Summary

Introduction

Zika virus (ZIKV) belongs to the Flaviviridae family, which encompasses viruses such as dengue virus, yellow fever virus, West Nile virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, and Japanese encephalitis virus [1]. The ZIKV is a mosquito-borne arbovirus, for which Aedes mosquitoes are competent vectors. The Aedes mosquitoes are amongst the invasive species, expanding its geographic range which brings the threat of arboviral infections to the temperate zones [2]. The infection is frequently asymptomatic (80% of cases), and the disease associated with the virus is mild-to-moderate [5]. In symptomatic patients, it manifests itself with flu-like symptoms and in some cases is associated with rash and itching [6]. The most striking effect is observed in pregnant women if the mother is infected with ZIKV during the first trimester of pregnancy, as congenital malformations of the fetus occur in about 11% of cases [7,8]. The symptoms include increased muscle tone, hyperreflexia, Viruses 2020, 12, 926; doi:10.3390/v12090926 www.mdpi.com/journal/viruses

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