Detection of ZIKA Virus (ZIKV), after in vitro exposition, in the Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Platelets from non-infected individuals: Influence of the Genetic Polymorphisms

Abstract

ZIKA Virus (ZIKV), an RNA flavivirus and genomic organization like others virus of the Flaviviridae family presents a health problem in Brazil in the last year. The knowledge about the virus and its biological characteristics have been important due to the consequences of the infection as microcephalia and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Although some ZIKV target cells and their receptors have been described, the interaction of the virus with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and human platelets is still poorly understood. These interactions with others flavivirus have already been described and, this interaction could be important because these cells (PBMC and platelets) can be virus reservoir. Then, the goal of this study is to evaluate the possible interaction of the ZIKV with PBMC and platelets in vitro. In addition, considering the cell types studied, and the recent reports of host genetic polymorphisms that may affect such interactions, it is also the goal of this study to evaluate if the ZIKV-PBMC and ZIKA-Platelet interactions may occur depending on killer Immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) polymorphisms and, the Human Platelets Antigens (HPA) polymorphisms. These polymorphisms were already associated with others flavivirus as dengue and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). PBMC and platelets obtained from donors will be incubated with ZIKV (37oC by 48h). After incubation, all free virus will be removed and, the cell pellets will be used as source for ZIKV detection. The PBMC and platelets viral load will be performed by qRT-PCR and, associated with host genetic polymorphisms (KIR and HPA). In silico analysis of these proteins express on cell membrane will be performed to evaluate if conformational alteration of these proteins could be modifying the virus-cell interactions. Statistical analysis will be conducted to evaluate the associations evaluated in this study. (AU)