Viperin controls chikungunya virus-specific pathogenic T cell IFN? Th1 stimulation in mice.

ABSTRACT: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has been a worldwide threat since its reemergence in La Reunion Island in 2004. Expression of the interferon-stimulated protein Viperin correlates with viral load burden in patients, and studies in mice have demonstrated its role to limit disease severity against CHIKV infection. Using Viperin -/- mice, we aimed to understand the contribution of Viperin to the T-cell immune response against CHIKV. CD4 T-cell depletion in Viperin -/- mice showed that increased late acute joint inflammation (5-8 d postinfection) was exclusively mediated by T cells. Specifically, CHIKV-infected Viperin -/- mice showed an increased INF? Th1 profile of CD4 T cells, enhanced INF? stimulation by APCs, an increased INF? secretion profile in the joint microenvironment, and increased numbers of inflammatory monocytes in virus-infected joints compared with WT mice. Bone marrow grafting experiments showed that Viperin expression in both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells is instrumental in reducing disease severity associated with a CD4 T-cell response.

SUBMITTER: Carissimo G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6342136 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature