IP-10 and CXCR3 signaling inhibit Zika virus replication in human prostate cells

PLoS One. 2020 Dec 30;15(12):e0244587. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244587. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Our previous studies have shown that Zika virus (ZIKV) replicates in human prostate cells, suggesting that the prostate may serve as a long-term reservoir for virus transmission. Here, we demonstrated that the innate immune responses generated to three distinct ZIKV strains (all isolated from human serum) were significantly different and dependent on their passage history (in mosquito, monkey, or human cells). In addition, some of these phenotypic differences were reduced by a single additional cell culture passage, suggesting that viruses that have been passaged more than 3 times from the patient sample will no longer reflect natural phenotypes. Two of the ZIKV strains analyzed induced high levels of the IP-10 chemokine and IFNγ in human prostate epithelial and stromal mesenchymal stem cells. To further understand the importance of these innate responses on ZIKV replication, we measured the effects of IP-10 and its downstream receptor, CXCR3, on RNA and virus production in prostate cells. Treatment with IP-10, CXCR3 agonist, or CXCR3 antagonist significantly altered ZIKV viral gene expression, depending on their passage in cells of relevant hosts (mosquito or human). We detected differences in gene expression of two primary CXCR3 isoforms (CXCR3-A and CXCR3-B) on the two cell types, possibly explaining differences in viral output. Lastly, we examined the effects of IP-10, agonist, or antagonist on cell death and proliferation under physiologically relevant infection rates, and detected no significant differences. Although we did not measure protein expression directly, our results indicate that CXCR3 signaling may be a target for therapeutics, to ultimately stop sexual transmission of this virus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival
  • Chemokine CXCL10 / genetics
  • Chemokine CXCL10 / metabolism*
  • Culicidae / virology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Haplorhini / virology
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Male
  • Prostate / cytology
  • Prostate / immunology
  • Prostate / virology*
  • Receptors, CXCR3 / genetics
  • Receptors, CXCR3 / metabolism*
  • Serial Passage
  • Signal Transduction
  • Virus Replication
  • Zika Virus / immunology
  • Zika Virus / physiology*
  • Zika Virus Infection / genetics
  • Zika Virus Infection / immunology*
  • Zika Virus Infection / virology

Substances

  • CXCL10 protein, human
  • CXCR3 protein, human
  • Chemokine CXCL10
  • Receptors, CXCR3

Grants and funding

This study was supported by Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) in the form of internal institutional funds awarded to RRH. No other specific funding was received for this study.