Betulinic Acid Exerts Cytoprotective Activity on Zika Virus-Infected Neural Progenitor Cells.

ABSTRACT: Zika virus (ZIKV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, was brought into the spotlight due to its widespread and increased pathogenicity, including Guillain-Barré syndrome and microcephaly. Neural progenitor cells (NPCs), which are multipotent cells capable of differentiating into the major neural phenotypes, are very susceptible to ZIKV infection. Given the complications of ZIKV infection and potential harm to public health, effective treatment options are urgently needed. Betulinic acid (BA), an abundant terpenoid of the lupane group, displays several biological activities, including neuroprotective effects. Here we demonstrate that Sox2⁺ NPCs, which are highly susceptible to ZIKV when compared to their neuronal counterparts, are protected against ZIKV-induced cell death when

SUBMITTER: Cavalcante BRR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7674920 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature