Image of the Month: Zika virus builds underground tunnels
Researchers have discovered that Zika virus builds underground tunnels, a series of tiny tubes called tunneling nanotubes, that facilitate the transfer of viral particles to neighboring uninfected placental cells.
“This is the first time that tunneling has been shown by Zika virus infection in placental cells,” said Dr. Indira Mysorekar. “These findings offer vital insights that could be used to develop therapeutic strategies targeted against this stealth transmission mode.”
Find out more about other benefits of Zika’s tunneling strategy that may facilitate viral spread and protection from immune system defenses. Read an interview with the authors here and the paper in Nature Communications.
Dr. Indira Mysorekar, E.I. Wagner Endowed, M.D., Chair Internal Medicine II, chief of basic and translational research and professor of medicine – infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine.
Dr. Rafael T. Michita, postdoctoral research associate in the Mysorekar lab.
Long B. Tran, graduate student in the Mysorekar lab.
Follow From the Labs on X, BlueSky and Instagram!
