Establishing a Model of Zika Virus-Induced Neurodegeneration in an Adult Mouse

Take an anesthetized mouse secured in a stereotaxic frame. A heating pad maintains its body temperature.

Shave and sterilize the scalp, make a midline incision to expose the bregma, a landmark on the skull to identify the injection location, and drill a small hole.

Inject a Zika virus suspension into the brain tissue. Slowly withdraw the needle to prevent backflow.

Suture the scalp and transfer the mouse to a cage for recovery.

The virus reaches the subventricular zone, an area rich in neural progenitor cells, or NPCs, and glial cells.

The virus binds to NPC receptors and is endocytosed. Viral replication triggers a cellular stress response, inducing apoptosis.

Microglia, the resident immune cells, engulf the virus and produce oxidative bursts that damage surrounding tissue. They also release cytokines and neurotoxic factors, which recruit cytotoxic T-cells to kill the virus-infected cells.

The resulting depletion of NPCs and glial cells reflects virus-induced neurodegeneration.

Immobilize the head of an anesthetized adult mouse in the stereotaxic instrument and place a heating pad under the mouse.

After a toe or tail pinch to ensure a surgical plane of anesthesia, shave the scalp