- Explains why babies with virus can have disproportionate facial features
- Has already been shown to attack foetal brain cells
- Now proved to attack cranial neural crest cells that form skull
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The Zika virus causing an epidemic in Brazil and spreading through the Americas can infect and alter cells in the human nervous system that are crucial for formation of bones and cartilage in the skull, a study has revealed.
The research, published in the journal Cell Host Microbe, may help explain why babies born to mothers who have had the virus can have smaller-than-average skulls and disproportionate facial features.
Zika has already been shown to attack foetal brain cells known as neural progenitor cells – a type of stem cell that gives rise to various kinds of brain cells.
Zika is linked to microcephaly, a birth defect where infants are born with small heads
The death of these cells is what disrupts brain development and leads to microcephaly, the severe birth defect seen in babies whose mothers were infected with Zika during pregnancy.
American scientists who conducted this latest study by infecting human cells with Zika in the lab, found the virus can infect another type of cell known as cranial neural crest cells – which give rise to skull bones and cartilage – and cause them to secrete signalling molecules that alter their function.
In the lab, the increased levels of these molecules were enough to induce premature differentiation, migration, and death of human neural progenitor cells, the researchers said.
‘In addition to direct effects of Zika virus on neural progenitors and their derivatives, this virus could affect brain development indirectly, through a signalling cross-talk between embryonic cell types,’ says Joanna Wysocka, a chemical and systems biologist at the Stanford University School of Medicine who co-led the study.
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She added that neural crest cells may be just one example, and that the same mechanism may also be relevant to other tissues that come in contact with a foetus’ developing brain during head formation and could be infected by Zika.
The Zika virus has spread to almost 60 countries and territories since the current outbreak was identified last year in Brazil, raising alarm over its ability to cause microcephaly as well as other neurological disorders in infants and adults.
Brazil has been the country hardest hit so far, with more than 1,800 reported cases of microcephaly.
Wysoka’s team cautioned that their work did not provide direct proof that Zika virus infects cranial neural crest cells in live animals or humans.
Follow-up research would also be needed to look for any evidence that the virus’ effect on these cells would be enough to cause microcephaly, they said.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ZIKA
WHAT IS ZIKA?
The Zika (ZEE’-ka) virus was first discovered in monkey in Uganda in 1947 – its name comes from the Zika forest where it was first discovered.
HOW IS IT SPREAD?
MOSQUITOES
It is typically transmitted through bites from the Aedes species of mosquitoes.
They are aggressive feeders, commonly biting multiple people in quick succession, fueling the spread of the virus.
They are most active during mid-morning and then again between late afternoon and nightfall.
SEX
Scientists have found Zika can be transmitted sexually – from both men and women.
Couples should abstain or wear condoms for eight weeks if either partner has traveled to a country with a Zika outbreak, regardless of whether they have symptoms.
Zika is typically transmitted through bites from the Aedes species of mosquitoes but can also be sexually transmitted. Now scientists believe it could be passed on through other bodily fluids
MOTHER TO BABY
A mother can pass the virus to her unborn baby during pregnancy.
There are two ways this can happen: through the placenta, and through the amniotic sac.
Since the virus can live in the womb lining, there is a chance the baby can become infected during birth.
ARE THERE SYMPTOMS?
The majority of people infected with Zika virus will not experience symptoms.
Those that do, usually develop mild symptoms – fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes – for no more than a week.
There is no specific treatment for the virus and there is currently no vaccine.
CAN THE SPREAD BE STOPPED?
Individuals can protect themselves from mosquito bites by using insect repellents.
They could also wear long sleeves and long pants – especially during daylight, when the mosquitoes tend to be most active, health officials say.
Eliminating breeding spots and controlling mosquito populations can help prevent the spread of the virus.
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