Expression and activation of TAM receptors during infection of macrophages and dendritic cells by Zika Virus

Abstract

The Zika virus (ZIKV) has emerged as a worldwide health problem and has been demanding a scientific community effort to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the infection. The ZIKV is part of the Flavivirus gender, like the Dengue virus, whose cellular invasion mechanism is elucidated in the literature. It is already known the involvement of receptors Axl, Tyro3 and Mer (TAM Family) in the infection by Dengue virus, through a mechanism of phagocytosis phosphatidylserine dependent. Despite the similarity between the viruses, studies haven´t shown the role of TAM family receptors in ZIKV infection yet, mainly in dendritic cells and macrophages. In this manner, this study aims to assess the role of TAM receptors during the ZIKV infection in dendritic cells and macrophages. Therefore, we might realize infection assays in vitro of macrophages and dendritic cells and we'll analyses by qPCR and Western Blotting techniques in order to measure the levels of expression and activation of TAM receptors.