The cell biology of Chikungunya virus infection

Abstract

SummaryChikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection causes a disease which appears to affect multiple cell types and tissues. The acute phase is manifested by a non-fatal febrile illness, polyarthralgia and maculopapular rashes in adults, but with recurrent arthralgia that may linger for months during convalescence. The issue of cellular and tissue tropism of CHIKV has elicited interest primarily because of this lingering incapacitating chronic joint pain, as well as clear encephalopathy in severe cases among neonates during the re-emergence of the virus in recent epidemics. The principle cell types productively infected by CHIKV are skin fibroblasts, epithelial cells and lymphoid tissues. There is controversy as to whether CHIKV productively infects haematopoietic cells and neurones/glia. CHIKV infection triggers rapid and robust innate immune responses which quickly clears the acute phase infection. However, significant acute as well as chronic infection of less obvious cell types, such as monocytes, neurones/ glia or even CNS neural progenitors may conceivably occur. There is therefore a need to ascertain the full range potential of CHIKV tropism, fully understand the cellular responses triggered during the acute the convalescent phases, and explore possible cell types that might be the source of chronic problems associated with CHIKV infection.

Effectiveness of Chloroquine and Inflammatory Cytokine Response in Patients With Early Persistent Musculoskeletal Pain and Arthritis Following Chikungunya Virus Infection

“…By the 24-week end point (study completion), the levels of TNF␣ and CXCL10 were significantly decreased and near normal. TNF␣ is a potent stimulant of CXCL10, which was reported to be up-regulated in acute CHIK virus illness (12). IL-6 and IL-13 levels remained strongly up-regulated throughout the study period.…”

“…A potential for the use of CQ to treat viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus and CHIK virus, has been increasingly recognized (10,11). A unifying hypothesis is the ability of CQ to alter the acidic interior milieu of cytoplasmic vesicles that is critical to virus survival (12). Chloroquine can further inhibit the activation of macrophages and CD4ϩ T cells and the release of cytokines (13).…”

“…IFN␥ expression is an immediate response in acute viral illness (12) and is generally short lived. It is prudent to add that the viremia phase in CHIK virus infection does not extend beyond the initial week or so (12).…”

“…IFN␥ expression is an immediate response in acute viral illness (12) and is generally short lived. It is prudent to add that the viremia phase in CHIK virus infection does not extend beyond the initial week or so (12). The persistent heightened IL-13 and IL-6 responses observed in the current study were intriguing (19) and seem to be a unique phenomenon in CHIK virus infection that has not been reported in the literature.…”

Modelado predictivo de la epidemia de Chikungunya

“…El virus CHIKV se reproduce inicialmente en el sitio de la picadura y se difunde después en todo el organismo (Tang, 2012). El virus es capaz de infectar varios tipos de células incluyendo las epiteliales, las nerviosas, las musculares y los macrófagos, siendo los fibroblastos las células donde la replicación viral es más eficiente (Sourisseau & otros, 2007).…”