Abstract
As broadly reported, there is an ongoing Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in countries of Latin America. Recent findings have demonstrated that ZIKV causes severe defects on the neural development in fetuses in utero and newborns. Very little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in the ZIKV infectivity. Potential therapeutic agents are also under investigation. In this report, the possible mechanisms of action played by glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) displayed at the surface proteoglycans of host cells, and likely in charge of interactions with surface proteins of the ZIKV, are highlighted. As is common for the most viruses, these sulfated glycans serve as receptors for virus attachment onto the host cells and consequential entry during infection. The applications of (1) exogenous sulfated glycans of different origins and chemical structures capable of competing with the virus attachment receptors (supposedly GAGs) and (2) GAG-degrading enzymes able to digest the virus attachment receptors on the cells may be therapeutically beneficial as anti-ZIKV. This communication attempts, therefore, to offer some guidance for the future research programs aimed to unveil the molecular mechanisms underlying the ZIKV infectivity and to develop therapeutics capable of decreasing the devastating consequences caused by ZIKV outbreak in the Americas.
Highlights
The Consequences of the Zika Outbreak in the Americas!As largely broadcasted worldwide, there is currently a Zika virus (ZIKV) infection outbreak in Latin America, including Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [1,2,3,4,5], which has held the Summer Olympics of 2016
Brazil was the first country of Latin America to officially report an outbreak related to ZIKV to the international authorities [6]
Speculations exist concerning how and when the ZIKV has endemically entered into Brazil
Summary
There is currently a Zika virus (ZIKV) infection outbreak in Latin America, including Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [1,2,3,4,5], which has held the Summer Olympics of 2016. Primary microcephaly occurring in fetuses or newborns leads to a severe set of neural abnormalities It includes malformation of the brain morphology and physiology as well as anatomic defects of the head [6]. Primary microcephaly associated with brain impairments on the born and unborn babies like visual, hearing, and cognitive dysfunctions and motor disabilities were all consequences caused by ZIKV [13]. A similar warning notice has been issued by the World Health Organization [17] The chair of this international entity has visited Brazil in order to pursue a short-term evaluation together with the local health authorities on the alarming and devastating consequences of the ZIKV infectivity in pregnant patients carrying babies diagnosed with microcephaly and in infant children committed with the ZIKV-caused birth defects. Warnings have been sent to tourists willing to visit the country in 2016 during the periods of international events like Carnival and the Summer Olympic Games [18]
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