RESUMO

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has been associated with the development of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD). ZIKV-induced antibodies that putatively cross-react to aquaporin-4 (AQP4) protein are suggested to cause inflammation of the optic nerve. A region of similarity between AQP4 and the ZIKV NS2B protein was identified. Our data showed that ZIKV-associated NMOSD patients develop anti-AQP4 antibodies, but not anti-ZIKV NS2B antibodies, revealing that cross-reacting antibodies are not the underlying cause of this phenotype. ZIKV infection in mice showed persistent viral replication in the eye tissue, suggesting that NMOSD symptoms are consequence of viral infection of the optic nerve cells.

Assuntos

Anticorpos Antivirais/imunologia , Aquaporina 4/imunologia , Autoanticorpos/imunologia , Neuromielite Óptica/imunologia , Zika virus/imunologia , Animais , Anticorpos Antivirais/sangue , Autoanticorpos/sangue , Reações Cruzadas , Epitopos/imunologia , Humanos , Imunoglobulina G/sangue , Imunoglobulina G/imunologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Mimetismo Molecular , Neuromielite Óptica/etiologia , Nervo Óptico/virologia , Proteínas não Estruturais Virais/imunologia , Replicação Viral , Zika virus/fisiologia , Infecção por Zika virus/complicações , Infecção por Zika virus/imunologia , Infecção por Zika virus/virologia