Understanding Molecular Pathogenesis with Chikungunya Virus Research Tools.

Understanding Molecular Pathogenesis with Chikungunya Virus Research Tools. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 2019 Mar 20;: Authors: Carissimo G, Ng LFP Abstract Since its re-emergence in 2006, Chikungunya has been a major health concern in endemic areas. Transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes to mammalian hosts, Chikungunya leads to persistent debilitating symptoms in a high proportion of symptomatic human cases. In this review, we present several tools on the mosquito vector side as well as on the mammalian side that have been used to advance research on Chikungunya transmission and immunopathogenesis. These tools lead to key understandings of viral replication in both hosts, and innate and adaptive responses mediating virus clearance and pathology in mammals. This comprehension of viral mechanisms has allowed the development of promising treatment avenues in animal models that will need to be further explored. However, research efforts need to continue in order to develop better and unbiased tools to assess antiviral and treatment strategies as well as further understand immune mechanisms at play in human pathologies. PMID: 30888547 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology - Category: Microbiology Tags: Curr Top Microbiol Immunol Source Type: research