Zika virus: An emerging challenge for obstetrics and gynecology

Jhe-Jhih Lin; Ting-Yu Chin; Chih-Ping Chen; Hong-Lin Chan; Tzong-Yuan Wu

doi:10.1016/j.tjog.2017.08.003

Zika virus: An emerging challenge for obstetrics and gynecology

Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Oct;56(5):585-592. doi: 10.1016/j.tjog.2017.08.003.

Authors

Jhe-Jhih Lin¹, Ting-Yu Chin², Chih-Ping Chen³, Hong-Lin Chan⁴, Tzong-Yuan Wu⁵

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Bioinformatics and Structural Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
² Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chungli, Taiwan.
³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical and Community Health Nursing, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁴ Institute of Bioinformatics and Structural Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan. Electronic address: hlchan@life.nthu.edu.tw.
⁵ Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chungli, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: tywu@cycu.edu.tw.

PMID: 29037541
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2017.08.003

Abstract

Microcephaly is a rare birth defect, however, the re-emerging mosquito and sexual transmitted flavivirus, Zika virus (ZIKV), had changed the situation and caused an urgent challenge for the obstetrics and gynecology. This review will brief summarize the epidemiology and virology of ZIKV. And compared the animal models that had developed for the ZIKV infections. These animal models will be benefit for the development of vaccines and anti-ZIKV drugs. Furthermore, the genes that are involved in the causation of microcephaly were also summarized. Finally, the Wnt signal is critical for the brain development as well as innate immune response. Based on previous literatures, we proposed that ZIKV-induced microcephaly might result from the influence of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway through the regulation of miRNA-34.

Keywords: Flavivirus; Microcephaly; Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway; Zika virus; miRNA-34.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Disease Models, Animal
Female
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
Microcephaly / virology*
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology*
Wnt Signaling Pathway / physiology
Zika Virus / genetics*
Zika Virus Infection / complications*
Zika Virus Infection / transmission
Zika Virus Infection / virology