Zika virus replicates in adult human brain tissue and impairs synapses and memory in mice

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11866-7
• Publication Date: 2019-09-09T14:22:03Z
• Authors: Claudia P. Figuei...; Fernanda G. Q. Ba...; Rômulo L. S. Neris; Paula S. Frost; Carolina Soares; Isis N. O. Souza; Julianna D. Zeidler; Daniele C. Zamberlan; Virginia L. de Sousa; Amanda S. Souza; André Luis A. Gui...; Maria Bellio; Jorge Marcondes d...; Soniza V. Alves-Leon; Gilda A. Neves; Heitor A. Paula-Neto; Newton G. Castro; Fernanda G. De Fe...; Iranaia Assunção-...; Julia R. Clarke; Andrea T. Da Poian; Sergio T. Ferreira
• Keywords: Memory Impairment

Abstract Neurological complications affecting the central nervous system have been reported in adult patients infected by Zika virus (ZIKV) but underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we report that ZIKV replicates human and mouse brain tissue, targeting mature neurons. preferentially targets memory-related regions, inhibits hippocampal long-term potentiation induces memory impairment mice. TNF-α upregulation, microgliosis upregulation of complement proteins, C1q C3, are induced infection. Microglia found to engulf presynaptic terminals during acute Neutralization signaling, blockage microglial activation or C1q/C3 prevent synapse ZIKV-infected Results suggest dysfunction via aberrant TNF-α, microglia complement. Our findings establish a mechanism which affects brain, point need evaluating cognitive deficits as potential comorbidity adults.