Aedes aegypti NeSt1 interacts with human CD47 to enhance Zika virus infectivity

Aedes aegypti is a vector of many infectious agents, including flaviviruses like Zika virus. We demonstrate that Nest1, a 34kDa mosquito salivary protein, facilitates Zika virus dissemination in human skin explants. Our aim was to analyze the effect of Nest1 at a transcriptomic level (RNAseq) in human skin explants, in the presence and absence of virus (ZIKV), at different timepoints (day 1, 2,3 ,and 4) Human skin explants were inoculated with 3 micrograms of Nest1 protein or buffer as control, in the presence and absence of ZIKV. Groups: Buffer, NeSt1, ZIKV.Buffer and ZIKV.NeSt1. Timepoints: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 and Day4. 4 replicates per tretament.