Figure 3.

Cell type-specific activation of pro-inflammatory genes by ZIKV NS5. ZIKV infection of cells derived from the brain (LN229) leads to STAT1 activation and pro-inflammatory gene expression. In contrast, ZIKV infection of cells derived from the liver (Huh7) does not trigger any pro-inflammatory response. In an animal model of ZIKV infection, the same pattern of pro-inflammatory gene expression is observed. As NS5′s subcellular localization is the same in both types of cells, it is likely to be interacting with different sets of host factors (green and red circles) in these cells, resulting in the differential gene expression signature observed (Image of organs: Freepik.com).