Chikungunya virus persists in joint-associated macrophages and promotes chronic disease in mice
T cells diminished major histocompatibility complex class II expression on joint macrophages, highlighting their potential role in inflammation. Treatment with a small molecule inhibitor of CHIKV replication during chronic disease reduced viral RNA and joint inflammation. Our data suggest that macrophages harbour replicating viral RNA and contribute to the sustained joint inflammation associated with chronic alphavirus disease.
Authors
- Ryan M. Sheridan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4012-3147)
- Daniel N. Streblow (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6828-2492)
- Jay R. Hesselberth (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6299-179X)
- Bennett Davenport (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8155-191X)
- Thomas E. Morrison (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1811-2938)
- Nick A. May
- Kristen Zarrella (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3142-6664)
- Daniela Weiskopf (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2968-7371)
- Brian C. Ware (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7806-3456)
- Dariia Vyshenska
- Aspen Martin
- E. Fish
- Alex L. Greninger
- Mariana O. L. da Silva
Institutions
- Oregon National Primate Research Center (US)
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (BR)
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology (US)
- University of Washington Medical Center (US)
- University of California San Diego (US)
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (US)
- University of Colorado Denver (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Microbiology
- Published
- 2026-04-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-026-02303-9
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 28.12
Funders
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases