Fig. 3: ZIKV infection induces Aβ accumulation through increasing BACE abundance.
From: Zika virus infection accelerates Alzheimer’s disease phenotypes in brain organoids
A Schematic of the Zika virus (ZIKV) infection procedure. Organoids were infected on day 60 and analyzed 14 dpi. B RT-qPCR analysis of the NS5 gene in ZIKV-infected organoids at 4 dpi (Day 65), 7 dpi (Day 68) and 14 dpi (Day 75). C ZIKV envelope (ZIKVE) protein level of each organoid 14 dpi. D Immunostaining for ZIKVE, SOX2, MAP2, and Neurofilament (NF) markers in organoids exposed to ZIKV 14 dpi. Scale bars, 50 µm. E Immunostaining of Aβ and MAP2 (neuron marker) in WT and AD organoids exposed to mock conditions, ZIKV and vaccinia virus (VACV). Scale bars, 10 µm. F Counts of Aβ aggregates per area and quantification of MAP2 expression (n = 5). G Immunostaining of Aβ and BACE in WT and AD organoids exposed to mock conditions, ZIKV and VACV. Scale bars, 10 µm. H Quantification of Aβ positive particle size (n = 5) and BACE positive cells (n = 3). I Western blotting of Aβ, BACE and β-actin in WT and AD organoids exposed to mock conditions and ZIKV. J Quantification of Aβ (n = 4) and BACE (n = 3) normalized to β-actin. n.s.: not significant, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, and ***P < 0.001. The data are presented as the mean ± SD.
