Comparative susceptibility of Old World and New World bat cell lines to Zika virus

This study investigates how different lineages of Zika virus (ZIKV) interact with bat cells, specifically examining the cellular inflammatory responses. We demonstrate that cells from Old World bats (R06E cells from Egyptian rousette bats) are permissive to infection by both lineages, supporting viral replication. This permissiveness suggests these cells can support the virus lifecycle, potentially facilitating broader transmission. In contrast, cells from New World bats (Aji cells from Jamaican fruit bats) exhibit low susceptibility to ZIKV, with negligible viral replication observed, suggesting an inherent resistance or lack of necessary factors for ZIKV to effectively initiate its lifecycle in this cell culture model. Our findings highlight the critical role of specific host cell characteristics in ZIKV transmission and underscore the importance of cellular context in understanding the virus's capability to induce an inflammatory immune response. By exploring the interactions of ZIKV with different bat cells, our research provides insights into the ecological and epidemiological complexities of ZIKV and provides insights into the evolutionary history of this virus.