Evaluation in vitro of the Zika virus (ZIKV) in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) from individuals without virus

Abstract

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are cells of the immune system that include lymphocytes, monocytes and dendritic cells, which are often carriers of pathogens either because they are targeted or defending against pathogens. The presence of Dengue virus (DENV), Hepatitis C (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in these cell types has been documented. With the recent dissemination of the ZIKV virus (ZIKV) and its association with severe evolution of diseases as microcephaly in neonates and Guillain-Barré syndrome, studies related to the dissemination and interaction of the virus with these cell types are of great relevance in the public health line. ZIKV has been documented as infective in cells such as fibroblasts, epidermal keratinocytes and dendritic cells. However, it is unclear the role that PBMCs play in the infection by the virus or whether it behaves in the body in the same way as other viruses of the same family, such as DENV and HCV. Thus, this work aims to evaluate if the ZIKV interacts in vitro with PBMC. Blood samples from 50 donors (healthy subjects) will be used as source of PBMCs, which will be incubated in vitro with ZIKV. After incubation the free viruses will be eliminated by successive washes and RNA will be extracted from the cellular pellet. This extracted RNA will be used as a source for detection of ZIKV by qRT-PCR. Statistical analyzes will be used to evaluate possible interactions of ZIKV with PBMC after in vitro exposure. (AU)