Chikungunya Particle and RNA Induce Mechanical and Heat Hypersensitivities in a TRPV1-Dependent Manner

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), the causative agent of the chikungunya fever, is an alphavirus widely transmitted by the bite of the female mosquito of the genus <i>Aedes</i> sp., especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Brazil is the country most affected by the microorganism. CHIKV classically induces articular pain, which can become long lasting for even years in a great number of the infected individuals, reducing their quality of life. The mechanisms of CHIKV-induced pain are poorly understood, but recent evidence indicated a role for the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in this pathology. Herein, we assessed the ability of intra-articularly injected inactivated CHIKV or its RNA to trigger nociception in mice. Both stimuli induced bilateral secondary hyperalgesia to mechanical and heat stimuli. These responses were attenuated by TRPV1 ablation or antagonism. Joint structural alterations and increased cartilage TRPV1 protein expression were detected in the ipsilateral knee joints injected with either CHIKV or viral RNA. However, the lack of this receptor did not influence the histological changes triggered by CHIKV or RNA. The results further support the role of TRPV1 in CHIKV-induced pain and highlight its importance in the chronic phase of the disease.

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Publication Details

Journal
Biomolecules
Published
2025-01-23
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15020171
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Insect Pest Control Strategies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
3.50

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article

Chikungunya Particle and RNA Induce Mechanical and Heat Hypersensitivities in a TRPV1-Dependent Manner

Maria Rosa Quaresma Bomfim, Elizabeth S. Fernandes, Cinara R. A. V. Monteiro, Valério Monteiro‐Neto et al.
2 citations
Biomolecules
Insect Pest Control Strategies
3.50
article

Chikungunya Particle and RNA Induce Mechanical and Heat Hypersensitivities in a TRPV1-Dependent Manner

Maria Rosa Quaresma Bomfim, Elizabeth S. Fernandes, Cinara R. A. V. Monteiro, Valério Monteiro‐Neto, Lucas Zanon Mascarin, João de Sousa Valente, João Β. Calixto, Izabella Thaís Silva, Catielen Paula Pavi, Beatriz Pereira Savi, Ayda Henriques Schneider, Seigo Nagashima, Susan D. Brain, Gislaine Fongaro, Samara Damasceno, Liziane Cristine Malaquias da Silva, Nágila Caroline Fialho Sousa, Lúcia de Noronha, Thiago Mattar Cunha, Andressa Caroline dos Santos Maia, João Francisco Silva Rodrigues
article en
2 citations

Abstract

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), the causative agent of the chikungunya fever, is an alphavirus widely transmitted by the bite of the female mosquito of the genus <i>Aedes</i> sp., especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Brazil is the country most affected by the microorganism. CHIKV classically induces articular pain, which can become long lasting for even years in a great number of the infected individuals, reducing their quality of life. The mechanisms of CHIKV-induced pain are poorly understood, but recent evidence indicated a role for the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in this pathology. Herein, we assessed the ability of intra-articularly injected inactivated CHIKV or its RNA to trigger nociception in mice. Both stimuli induced bilateral secondary hyperalgesia to mechanical and heat stimuli. These responses were attenuated by TRPV1 ablation or antagonism. Joint structural alterations and increased cartilage TRPV1 protein expression were detected in the ipsilateral knee joints injected with either CHIKV or viral RNA. However, the lack of this receptor did not influence the histological changes triggered by CHIKV or RNA. The results further support the role of TRPV1 in CHIKV-induced pain and highlight its importance in the chronic phase of the disease.

BiomoleculesVol. 15(2)
Universidade de Ribeirão Preto (BR), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (BR), Universidade de São Paulo (BR), King's College London (GB), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (BR), Instituto de Pesca (BR), Centro de Pesquisas Oncológicas (BR), Universidade Federal do Maranhão (BR)
INCT-INOVAMED, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Insect Pest Control Strategies
3.50
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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