Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) recently discovered that a naturally-produced enzyme called 25-hydroxycholestrol (25HC) protects animals against Zika virus infection and can be manufactured to create compounds against a broad range of viruses.
Research for this study was published in a recent issue of the journal Immunity.
While zika infections were not commonly seen before 2007, the virus spread rapidly throughout the Americas in 2015 and 2016, particularly in areas with heavy mosquito populations. Most individuals who contract the virus show mild symptoms, such as joint pain, rashes, and fevers, or no symptoms at all. The virus, however, has been linked to severe defects of the fetus in pregnant women.
Genhong Cheng, professor of microbiology at UCLA, previously showed that 25HC aids the immune system as it fights viruses, but is not strong enough in its natural form to combat the virus by itself. Cheng’s previous research suggested that administration of a synthetically-produced version of 25HC protects cells from infection from a range of viruses including hepatitis C, Ebola, and HIV.
Cheng’s most recent study found that 25HC reduced the amount of Zika, dengue, and yellow fever viruses in infected cells in a petri dish. After administering synthetically-produced 25HC to animal subjects with Zika infection, the research team found that the synthetic enzyme suppressed Zika infection, while also reducing the associated brain damage in fetal mice.
UCLA said the study highlights the potential use of 25HC to combat Zika virus infection and its effects, such as microcephaly, and that its research team will further examine if 25HC can be modified to combat other mosquito-borne viruses.