Advances in Zika Virus Research: Stem Cell Models, Challenges, and Opportunities

Guo-Li Ming; Hengli Tang; Hongjun Song

doi:10.1016/j.stem.2016.11.014

Advances in Zika Virus Research: Stem Cell Models, Challenges, and Opportunities

Cell Stem Cell. 2016 Dec 1;19(6):690-702. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2016.11.014.

Authors

Guo-Li Ming¹, Hengli Tang², Hongjun Song³

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Electronic address: gming1@jhmi.edu.
² Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
³ Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Electronic address: shongju1@jhmi.edu.

Abstract

The re-emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) and its suspected link with various disorders in newborns and adults led the World Health Organization to declare a global health emergency. In response, the stem cell field quickly established platforms for modeling ZIKV exposure using human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors and brain organoids, fetal tissues, and animal models. These efforts provided significant insight into cellular targets, pathogenesis, and underlying biological mechanisms of ZIKV infection as well as platforms for drug testing. Here we review the remarkable progress in stem cell-based ZIKV research and discuss current challenges and future opportunities.

Keywords: SpinΩ; Zika; iPSC; microcephaly; neurogenesis; organoid; outer radial glia cell; radial glia cell.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Humans
Models, Biological*
Nervous System / pathology
Nervous System / virology
Stem Cell Research*
Stem Cells / metabolism*
Zika Virus / physiology*
Zika Virus Infection / epidemiology
Zika Virus Infection / genetics
Zika Virus Infection / pathology
Zika Virus Infection / virology

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding