Zika virus and neurologic autoimmunity: the putative role of gangliosides

摘要: An increasing number of severe neurological complications associated with Zika virus (ZIKV), chiefly Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and primary microcephaly, have led the World Health Organization to declare a global health emergency. Molecular mimicry between glycolipids surface molecules infectious agents explain most cases GBS preceded by infection, while direct toxicity ZIKV on neural cells has been raised as main mechanism which induces microcephaly. Gangliosides are crucial in brain development, their expression correlates neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, synaptic transmission, cell proliferation. Targeting autoimmune response gangliosides may represent an underexploited opportunity examine increased incidence related infection.