IMMUNOLOGY2024™ Conference Recordings-Chikungunya-virus-specific CD4+ T cells are associated with chronic chikungunya viral arthritic disease in humans

Chikungunya-virus-specific CD4+ T cells are associated with chronic chikungunya viral arthritic disease in humans

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Video Summary

The speaker described research on chronic chikungunya virus infection and human CD4 T-cell responses. In a Colombian cohort sampled 6–7 years after infection, CD4—but not CD8—T-cell responses were detected, mainly targeting NSP1, NSP2, E2, and E1 proteins. People with chronic arthralgia had stronger CD4 responses, with cells skewed toward a Th17-like phenotype and away from Th1. These responses were mostly monofunctional and dominated by TNF-alpha rather than interferon-gamma. The findings suggest CD4 T cells may contribute to chronic chikungunya pathology and highlight TNF-alpha as a potential therapeutic target.

Keywords

chikungunya virus

CD4 T-cell responses

chronic arthralgia

Th17 phenotype

TNF-alpha