![New Approaches Against Zika Infection]()
The number of mosquito-borne Zika virus infections in humans are expected to increase, and drugs for protecting people are urgently needed. In a study published online on March 23 in Virology, Felipe Diaz-Griffero, Ph.D., describes a family of therapeutic agents that halts the virus’ entry into cells. Theorizing that Zika requires a cellular protein called AXL to attach to cells, Dr. Diaz-Griffero found that cells in which the gene for AXL was deleted were resistant to infection. The drugs may also thwart Zika infection through a second mechanism: by neutralizing acidic compartments within the cells. This group of drugs could potentially treat people infected with Zika and thereby help prevent the well-established neurological problems associated with Zika. Dr. Diaz-Griffero is professor of microbiology & immunology and the Elsie Wachtel Faculty Scholar at Einstein.
Posted on: Wednesday, April 18, 2018