Active infection of human blood monocytes by Chikungunya virus triggers an innate immune response

Z Her, B Malleret, M Chan, EKS Ong… - The Journal of …, 2010 - journals.aai.org
Z Her, B Malleret, M Chan, EKS Ong, SC Wong, DJC Kwek, H Tolou, RTP Lin, PA Tambyah
The Journal of Immunology, 2010journals.aai.org
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an alphavirus that causes chronic and incapacitating
arthralgia in humans. To date, interactions between the immune system and the different
stages of the virus life cycle remain poorly defined. We demonstrated for the first time that
CHIKV Ags could be detected in vivo in the monocytes of acutely infected patients. Using in
vitro experimental systems, whole blood and purified monocytes, we confirmed that
monocytes could be infected and virus growth could be sustained. CHIKV interactions with …
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an alphavirus that causes chronic and incapacitating arthralgia in humans. To date, interactions between the immune system and the different stages of the virus life cycle remain poorly defined. We demonstrated for the first time that CHIKV Ags could be detected in vivo in the monocytes of acutely infected patients. Using in vitro experimental systems, whole blood and purified monocytes, we confirmed that monocytes could be infected and virus growth could be sustained. CHIKV interactions with monocytes, and with other blood leukocytes, induced a robust and rapid innate immune response with the production of specific chemokines and cytokines. In particular, high levels of IFN-α were produced rapidly after CHIKV incubation with monocytes. The identification of monocytes during the early phase of CHIKV infection in vivo is significant as infected monocyte/macrophage cells have been detected in the synovial tissues of chronically CHIKV-infected patients, and these cells may behave as the vehicles for virus dissemination. This may explain the persistence of joint symptoms despite the short duration of viremia. Our results provide a better understanding on the basic mechanisms of infection and early antiviral immune responses and will help in the development of future effective control strategies.
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