Studies using IPS cells support a possible link between ZIKA and microcephaly

There is a suspected link between Brazilian babies born with microcephaly and Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. However, little is know about the brain cell targets and the mechanisms that Zika virus may cause microcephaly. A recent report demonstrated that Zika virus infection increases cell death and dysregulates cell-cycle, resulting in attenuated human neural progenitor cells growth. This study fills a major gap and serves as an entry point to establish a mechanistic link between Zika infection and microcephaly.