Figure 5. ZIKV-NS2A expression and direct ZIKV infection disrupt the formation of adherens junction complex in the embryonic mouse cortex.

(A–B) Embryonic mouse brains were electroporated at E14.5 to express GFP, GFP and ZIKV-NS2A, or GFP and DENV-NS2A, and analyzed at E17.5. Sample confocal images of immunostaining for GFP, β-Catenin (A), or PKCλ and ZO-1 (B), and staining for DAPI under different conditions are shown (left panels). Scale bars: 50 μm. Arrows point to regions with discontinuous AJ formation. Regions in white boxes in (A) are shown at a higher magnification (bottom panels). Quantifications of continuous AJ formation and number of protrusions are also shown (right panels). Values represent mean + SEM (n = 5 sections from 3 animals; ***: P < 0.001; **: P < 0.01; Student’s t-test).

(C–D) ZIKV-SZ strain was injected into lateral ventricles of E13.5/E14.5 mice. Similar to (A–B), sample confocal images of immunostaining for ZIKV, β-Catenin and ZO-1, and staining for DAPI at E18.5 (left panels) and quantifications of continuous AJ formation at E18.5 and ventricular protrusions at P3 (right panels) are shown. Values represent mean + SEM (n = 6 sections from 4 animals; ***: P < 0.001; *: P < 0.05; Student’s t-test).

Also see Figure S5.