RIPK3-dependent transcriptional program in flavivirus-infected neurons

Here, we characterize RIPK3-dependent transcriptional responses in cortical neurons following infection with neurotropic flaviviruses. Neurons were infected with either Zika virus (ZIKV) strain MR766 at an MOI of 0.1, West Nile virus (WNV) strain TX 2002-HC at an MOI of 0.001, or a saline mock solution. Neurons were derived from mice lacking RIPK3 expression (Ripk3-/-) or wildtype controls. These studies revealed a number of antiviral genes whose upregulation following viral infection is absent in neurons lacking RIPK3, a subset of which were validated using qRT-PCR. Primary cortical neuron cultures derived from WT or Ripk3-/- mice were infected with ZIKV MR766, WNV TX 2002-HC, or a saline control. Total RNA was collected at 24 hours post infection for subsequent analysis. Three independent replicates were included per condition (genotype/infection).