Use of Recombinant Chikungunya Virus expressing Nanoluciferase to Identify Chondrocytes as Target Cells in an Immunocompetent Mouse Model.

ABSTRACT: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) induces predominantly symptomatic infections, marked by fever, myalgia, rash and polyarthralgia that can last for up to 3 years after infection. Understanding the pathophysiology of CHIKV in the joints is challenging due to limited access to biological samples. Using a reporter virus expressing Nanoluciferase in a mouse model allowed us to monitor viral replication in real-time during acute and postacute phases. We showed viral replication in chondrocyte containing tissue in the metatarsi joints and confirmed with ex vivo analyses viral replication in leg bones and articular cartilages with histological evidence of focal erosive lesions and periarticular inflammation. Moreover, human chondrocytes prove susceptible to CHIKV infection, exhibiting viral production an

SUBMITTER: Legros V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12349949 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature