Zika virus is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus, which can be transmitted across the placenta and has adverse effects on fetal development during pregnancy. The severity of these complications highlights the importance of prevention and treatment. However, no vaccines or drugs are currently available. In this study, we characterize the IFNβ-mediated anti-viral response in trophoblast cells in order to identify critical components that are necessary for the successful control of viral replication and determine whether components of the IFN-induced response can be used as a replacement therapy for ZIKA virus infection during pregnancy. We identify and characterize interferon-stimulated gene 20 (ISG20) as playing a central role in controlling Zika virus infection in trophoblast cells and successfully establish a recombinant ISG20-Fc protein that effectively decreases viral titers in vitro and in vivo by maintaining its exonuclease activity and displaying potential immune modulatory functions. Recombinant ISG20-Fc has thus the potential to be further developed as an anti-viral treatment against ZIKA viral infection in high-risk populations, particularly in pregnant women.

中文翻译：

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胎盘来源的干扰素刺激基因 20 控制寨卡病毒感染


寨卡病毒是一种正义单链RNA病毒，可通过胎盘传播，对妊娠期间胎儿发育产生不良影响。这些并发症的严重性凸显了预防和治疗的重要性。然而，目前还没有疫苗或药物可用。在这项研究中，我们表征了滋养层细胞中 IFNβ 介导的抗病毒反应，以确定成功控制病毒复制所需的关键成分，并确定 IFN 诱导反应的成分是否可以用作替代疗法用于妊娠期间寨卡病毒感染。我们鉴定并鉴定了干扰素刺激基因 20 (ISG20) 在控制滋养层细胞中的寨卡病毒感染中发挥着核心作用，并成功建立了重组 ISG20-Fc 蛋白，该蛋白通过保持其核酸外切酶活性和显示出潜在的免疫调节功能。因此，重组ISG20-Fc有可能被进一步开发为高危人群（尤其是孕妇）寨卡病毒感染的抗病毒治疗方法。