Zika virus induced microcephaly and aberrant hematopoietic cell differentiation modeled in novel neonatal humanized mice

IntroductionImmunocompetent and immunocompromised murine models have been instrumental in answering important questions regarding ZIKV pathogenesis and vertical transmission. However, mimicking human congenital zika syndrome (CZS) characteristics in these murine models has been less than optimal and...

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Main Authors: Kimberly Schmitt, James Z. Curlin, Leila Remling-Mulder, Tawfik Aboellail, Ramesh Akkina
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1060959/full
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author Kimberly Schmitt
James Z. Curlin
Leila Remling-Mulder
Tawfik Aboellail
Ramesh Akkina
author_facet Kimberly Schmitt
James Z. Curlin
Leila Remling-Mulder
Tawfik Aboellail
Ramesh Akkina
author_sort Kimberly Schmitt
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionImmunocompetent and immunocompromised murine models have been instrumental in answering important questions regarding ZIKV pathogenesis and vertical transmission. However, mimicking human congenital zika syndrome (CZS) characteristics in these murine models has been less than optimal and does not address the potential viral effects on the human immune system.MethodsHere, we utilized neonatal humanized Rag2-/-γc-/- mice to model CZS and evaluate the potential viral effects on the differentiation of human hematopoietic stem cells in vivo. Newborn Rag2-/-γc-/- mice were engrafted with ZIKV-infected hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and monitored for symptoms and lesions.ResultsWithin 13 days, mice displayed outward clinical symptoms that encompassed stunted growth, hunched posture, ruffled fur, and ocular defects. Striking gross pathologies in the brain and visceral organs were noted. Our results also confirmed that ZIKV actively infected human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells and restricted the development of terminally differentiated B cells. Histologically, there was multifocal mineralization in several different regions of the brain together with ZIKV antigen co-localization. Diffuse necrosis of pyramidal neurons was seen with collapse of the hippocampal formation.DiscussionOverall, this model recapitulated ZIKV microcephaly and CZS together with viral adverse effects on the human immune cell ontogeny thus providing a unique in vivo model to assess the efficacy of novel therapeutics and immune interventions.
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spelling doaj.art-f9f69ba0581a465ca9aa12114d2af2b02023-02-07T06:40:16ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242023-02-011410.3389/fimmu.2023.10609591060959Zika virus induced microcephaly and aberrant hematopoietic cell differentiation modeled in novel neonatal humanized miceKimberly SchmittJames Z. CurlinLeila Remling-MulderTawfik AboellailRamesh AkkinaIntroductionImmunocompetent and immunocompromised murine models have been instrumental in answering important questions regarding ZIKV pathogenesis and vertical transmission. However, mimicking human congenital zika syndrome (CZS) characteristics in these murine models has been less than optimal and does not address the potential viral effects on the human immune system.MethodsHere, we utilized neonatal humanized Rag2-/-γc-/- mice to model CZS and evaluate the potential viral effects on the differentiation of human hematopoietic stem cells in vivo. Newborn Rag2-/-γc-/- mice were engrafted with ZIKV-infected hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and monitored for symptoms and lesions.ResultsWithin 13 days, mice displayed outward clinical symptoms that encompassed stunted growth, hunched posture, ruffled fur, and ocular defects. Striking gross pathologies in the brain and visceral organs were noted. Our results also confirmed that ZIKV actively infected human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells and restricted the development of terminally differentiated B cells. Histologically, there was multifocal mineralization in several different regions of the brain together with ZIKV antigen co-localization. Diffuse necrosis of pyramidal neurons was seen with collapse of the hippocampal formation.DiscussionOverall, this model recapitulated ZIKV microcephaly and CZS together with viral adverse effects on the human immune cell ontogeny thus providing a unique in vivo model to assess the efficacy of novel therapeutics and immune interventions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1060959/fullhumanized mouse model for Zika microcephalyA dual-purpose hu-mouse model for ZikaZika virus and hematopoiesisZika virus and aberrant B cell developmentNeonatal hu-mouse model for ZikaZika viral effects on human CD34+ HSC
spellingShingle Kimberly Schmitt
James Z. Curlin
Leila Remling-Mulder
Tawfik Aboellail
Ramesh Akkina
Zika virus induced microcephaly and aberrant hematopoietic cell differentiation modeled in novel neonatal humanized mice
Frontiers in Immunology
humanized mouse model for Zika microcephaly
A dual-purpose hu-mouse model for Zika
Zika virus and hematopoiesis
Zika virus and aberrant B cell development
Neonatal hu-mouse model for Zika
Zika viral effects on human CD34+ HSC
title Zika virus induced microcephaly and aberrant hematopoietic cell differentiation modeled in novel neonatal humanized mice
title_full Zika virus induced microcephaly and aberrant hematopoietic cell differentiation modeled in novel neonatal humanized mice
title_fullStr Zika virus induced microcephaly and aberrant hematopoietic cell differentiation modeled in novel neonatal humanized mice
title_full_unstemmed Zika virus induced microcephaly and aberrant hematopoietic cell differentiation modeled in novel neonatal humanized mice
title_short Zika virus induced microcephaly and aberrant hematopoietic cell differentiation modeled in novel neonatal humanized mice
title_sort zika virus induced microcephaly and aberrant hematopoietic cell differentiation modeled in novel neonatal humanized mice
topic humanized mouse model for Zika microcephaly
A dual-purpose hu-mouse model for Zika
Zika virus and hematopoiesis
Zika virus and aberrant B cell development
Neonatal hu-mouse model for Zika
Zika viral effects on human CD34+ HSC
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1060959/full
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