TY - JOUR
T1 - The Cellular Impact of the ZIKA Virus on Male Reproductive Tract Immunology and Physiology
AU - Almeida, Raquel das Neves
AU - Braz-de-Melo, Heloisa Antoniella
AU - Santos, Igor de Oliveira
AU - Corrêa, Rafael
AU - Kobinger, Gary P.
AU - Magalhaes, Kelly Grace
PY - 2020/4/18
Y1 - 2020/4/18
N2 - Zika virus (ZIKV) has been reported by several groups as an important virus causing pathological damage in the male reproductive tract. ZIKV can infect and persist in testicular somatic and germ cells, as well as spermatozoa, leading to cell death and testicular atrophy. ZIKV has also been detected in semen samples from ZIKV-infected patients. This has huge implications for human reproduction. Global scientific efforts are being applied to understand the mechanisms related to arboviruses persistency, pathogenesis, and host cellular response to suggest a potential target to develop robust antiviral therapeutics and vaccines. Here, we discuss the cellular modulation of the immunologic and physiologic properties of the male reproductive tract environment caused by arboviruses infection, focusing on ZIKV. We also present an overview of the current vaccine effects and therapeutic targets against ZIKV infection that may impact the testis and male fertility.
AB - Zika virus (ZIKV) has been reported by several groups as an important virus causing pathological damage in the male reproductive tract. ZIKV can infect and persist in testicular somatic and germ cells, as well as spermatozoa, leading to cell death and testicular atrophy. ZIKV has also been detected in semen samples from ZIKV-infected patients. This has huge implications for human reproduction. Global scientific efforts are being applied to understand the mechanisms related to arboviruses persistency, pathogenesis, and host cellular response to suggest a potential target to develop robust antiviral therapeutics and vaccines. Here, we discuss the cellular modulation of the immunologic and physiologic properties of the male reproductive tract environment caused by arboviruses infection, focusing on ZIKV. We also present an overview of the current vaccine effects and therapeutic targets against ZIKV infection that may impact the testis and male fertility.
KW - Leydig cells
KW - Sertoli cells
KW - ZIKA virus
KW - arboviruses
KW - infertility
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U2 - 10.3390/cells9041006
DO - 10.3390/cells9041006
M3 - Review article
C2 - 32325652
AN - SCOPUS:85084030647
SN - 2073-4409
VL - 9
JO - Cells
JF - Cells
IS - 4
ER -