TY - JOUR
T1 - Replication of Zika virus in human prostate cells
T2 - A potential source of sexually transmitted virus
AU - Spencer, Jennifer L.
AU - Lahon, Anismrita
AU - Tran, Linda L.
AU - Arya, Ravi P.
AU - Kneubehl, Alexander R.
AU - Vogt, Megan B.
AU - Xavier, Daniela
AU - Rowley, David R.
AU - Kimata, Jason T.
AU - Rico-Hesse, Rebecca R.
N1 - Funding Information:
Funding. This work was supported by Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), the National Institutes of Health (grants R01 AI098715, R01 AI099483 to R. R.-H.), the BCM Pathology and Histology Core (grant NCI-CA125123], the BCM Integrated Microscopy Core (grants NCI-CA125123, NIDDK-56338-13/15, and RP150578), the BCM Cytometry and Cell Sorting Core (grants NIAID P30A1036211, NCI P30CA125123 and NCRR S10RR024574), and the BCM Genomic and RNA Profiling Core (grants NIDDK-DK56338 and NCI-CA125123).
PY - 2018/2/15
Y1 - 2018/2/15
N2 - Background. While Zika virus (ZIKV) is mainly transmitted by mosquitoes, numerous cases of sexual transmission have been reported during recent outbreaks. Little is known about which host cell types or entry factors aid in mediating this sexual transmission. Methods. In this study, we investigated ZIKV cell tropism by infecting 2 types of human prostate cells with 3 contemporary ZIKV isolates from persons infected in the Americas. We used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence analyses to measure infection and flow cytometry to detect entry factor expression. Results. Here we show that ZIKV infects, replicates, and produces infectious virus in prostate stromal mesenchymal stem cells, epithelial cells, and organoids made with a combination of these cells. We also show that prostate cells express several well-characterized flavivirus attachment factors. In contrast, dengue virus does not infect or does not replicate in these prostate cells, although it is known to use similar receptors. Conclusions. Our results indicate that ZIKV favors infection of stromal cells more so than epithelial cells in organoids, possibly indicating a preference for stem cells in general. Overall, these results suggest that ZIKV replication occurs in the human prostate and can account for ZIKV secretion in semen, thus leading to sexual transmission.
AB - Background. While Zika virus (ZIKV) is mainly transmitted by mosquitoes, numerous cases of sexual transmission have been reported during recent outbreaks. Little is known about which host cell types or entry factors aid in mediating this sexual transmission. Methods. In this study, we investigated ZIKV cell tropism by infecting 2 types of human prostate cells with 3 contemporary ZIKV isolates from persons infected in the Americas. We used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence analyses to measure infection and flow cytometry to detect entry factor expression. Results. Here we show that ZIKV infects, replicates, and produces infectious virus in prostate stromal mesenchymal stem cells, epithelial cells, and organoids made with a combination of these cells. We also show that prostate cells express several well-characterized flavivirus attachment factors. In contrast, dengue virus does not infect or does not replicate in these prostate cells, although it is known to use similar receptors. Conclusions. Our results indicate that ZIKV favors infection of stromal cells more so than epithelial cells in organoids, possibly indicating a preference for stem cells in general. Overall, these results suggest that ZIKV replication occurs in the human prostate and can account for ZIKV secretion in semen, thus leading to sexual transmission.
KW - Prostate
KW - Sexual transmission
KW - Zika virus
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U2 - 10.1093/infdis/jix436
DO - 10.1093/infdis/jix436
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85044469922
VL - 217
SP - 538
EP - 547
JO - Journal of Infectious Diseases
JF - Journal of Infectious Diseases
SN - 0022-1899
IS - 4
ER -