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Zika Virus Vaccine Programme

A new Zika vaccine based on a simian adenoviral vector is being developed in Oxford to determine if it is immunogenic and can be taken to clinical trials. This development is part of a global rapid response programme.

May 11, 2016

Zika Virus Vaccine Programme – Jenner Institute

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Zika vaccine efficacy trials could start in 2017

In the most optimistic scenario, a Zika vaccine could prove its worth by the start of 2018, Anthony Fauci, head of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in Bethesda, Maryland, said today.

Zika vaccine efficacy trials could start in 2017 | Science | AAAS

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Zika virus animation

The model of Zika virus is a part of the non-commercial educational project Viral Park, which was launched by the Visual Science in 2009. The project includes models of HIV, influenza A/H1N1, adenovirus, Ebola and papilloma viruses. Models and visualizations of the Viral Park received Science Magazine and National Science Foundation awards, appeared on the cover of Nature Medicine special issue, were published in the NY Times, Vaccines textbook, Cell journal Picture Show and were included into presentations of the Nobel Prize winners. The Viral Park models are made in atomic resolution, and are built based on the latest scientific data and computational biology simulations. The models sum up all the available information about the structure of the most widespread and dangerous human viruses and may act as a stand-alone scientific reviews in a graphical form.

March 10, 2016

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The history of Zika virus

A chronological map of the presence of Zika only in those countries for which there is evidence of indigenous transmission by mosquitos, excluding the many countries that have notified imported Zika. infections.

The following timeline summarizes the spread of Zika infection, country by country, from the earliest discovery in 1947 to the latest information as of 7 February 2016. Zika virus infection appears to have changed in character while expanding its geographical range.

May 9, 2016

WHO | The History of Zika Virus

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ZIKV h9 organoid graphicalabstract 26Apr16_JD

Zika Virus Depletes Neural Progenitors in Human Cerebral Organoids through Activation of the Innate Immune Receptor TLR3

Here we show that a prototype strain of ZIKV, MR766, efficiently infects organoids and causes a decrease in overall organoid size that correlates with the kinetics of viral copy number. The innate immune receptor Toll-like-Receptor 3 (TLR3) was upregulated after ZIKV infection of human organoids and mouse neurospheres and TLR3 inhibition reduced the phenotypic effects of ZIKV infection.

May 7, 2016

ZIKV h9 organoid graphicalabstract 26Apr16_JD
Wolbachia-520x428

Wolbachia Blocks Currently Circulating Zika Virus Isolates in Brazilian Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

The recent association of Zika virus with cases of microcephaly has sparked a global health crisis and highlighted the need for mechanisms to combat the Zika vector, Aedes aegyptimosquitoes. Wolbachia pipientis, a bacterial endosymbiont of insect, has recently garnered attention as a mechanism for arbovirus control. Here we report that Aedes aegypti harboringWolbachia are highly resistant to infection with two currently circulating Zika virus isolates from the recent Brazilian epidemic. Wolbachia-harboring mosquitoes displayed lower viral prevalence and intensity and decreased disseminated infection and, critically, did not carry infectious virus in the saliva, suggesting that viral transmission was blocked. Our data indicate that the use of Wolbachia-harboring mosquitoes could represent an effective mechanism to reduce Zika virus transmission and should be included as part of Zika control strategies.

May 5, 2016

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One year into the Zika outbreak: how an obscure disease became a global health emergency

Testing for Zika is technically challenging as the virus cross-reacts immunologically with dengue and chikungunya viruses, both present in Brazil at that time.

WHO | One year into the Zika outbreak: how an obscure disease became a global health emergency

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Structures of the Zika Virus Envelope Protein and Its Complex with a Flavivirus Broadly Protective Antibody

Zika virus (ZIKV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, is a current global public health concern. The flavivirus envelope (E) glycoprotein is responsible for virus entry and represents a major target of neutralizing antibodies for other flaviviruses. Here, we report the structures of ZIKV E protein at 2.0 Å and in complex with a flavivirus broadly neutralizing murine antibody 2A10G6 at 3.0 Å. ZIKV-E resembles all the known flavivirus E structures but contains a unique, positively charged patch adjacent to the fusion loop region of the juxtaposed monomer, which may influence host attachment. The ZIKV-E-2A10G6 complex structure reveals antibody recognition of a highly conserved fusion loop. 2A10G6 binds to ZIKV-E with high affinity in vitro and neutralizes currently circulating ZIKV strains in vitro and in mice. The E protein fusion loop epitope represents a potential candidate for therapeutic antibodies against ZIKV.

May 3, 2016

Structures of the Zika Virus Envelope Protein and Its Complex with a Flavivirus Broadly Protective Antibody

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Chloroquine inhibits Zika Virus infection in different cellular models

Here we show that chloroquine exhibits antiviral activity against ZIKV in VERO, human brain microvascular endothelial, and neural stem cells. We demonstrated in vitro that chloroquine reduces the number of ZIKV-infected cells, virus production and cell death promoted by ZIKV infection without cytotoxic effects. Our results suggest that chloroquine is a promising candidate for ZIKV clinical trials, since it is already approved for clinical use and can be safely administered to pregnant woman.

 

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The Lancet Zika virus resource centre

The Lancet Zika virus resource centre brings together the best evidence from across The Lancet family of journals—offered with free access—to assist researchers, policy makers, and health workers, in understanding the effects of the outbreak and how best to respond. Find out more about Zika virus in this Special Report.

May 1, 2016

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