Zika virus causes brain defects in mice

The Brazilian Zika virus (ZIKV^BR) outbreak has been linked to increased incidence of microcephaly; however, in vivo evidence for the effects of ZIKV^BR on brain development is lacking. The authors show that pups born to SJL mice infected with ZIKV^BR during pregnancy exhibit neuronal cell death and reduced cortical thickness as well as altered expression of autophagy- and cell death-related genes. ZIKV^BR infection of human-derived neurospheres and cerebral organoids also impaired neural development and increased cell death. These models provide further evidence for the detrimental effects of ZIKV^BR on cortical development and might enable the testing of strategies to counter the effects of the virus.