PELI1 and Zika virus congenital syndrome: Recently, the Peli1 protein, which is an E3 ubiquitin ligase, has been implicated in promoting viral replication and inflammation in the CNS in mouse models of VSV and WNV encephalitis and in a mouse model of congenital Zika syndrome.80,83,84 In a mouse model of congenital Zika syndrome, Peli1 promotes inflammation by mediating NF-κB activation and the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6.