Researchers at the La Jolla Institute (LJI) have created the first detailed map of Chikungunya virus regions that trigger strong T cell responses, a breakthrough published in Nature Communications. This discovery could accelerate the development of vaccines or therapies targeting specific viral epitopes to halt infection and address chronic joint pain, a debilitating aftermath for many patients.
The study, led by LJI Assistant Professor Daniela Weiskopf, Ph.D., reveals how T cells recognize and attack Chikungunya virus. By breaking the virus into small peptides and exposing them to T cells from chronic patients, the team identified “immunodominant” regions—key targets for future treatments.
Chronic Chikungunya symptoms, affecting 30–60% of infected individuals (predominantly women), mirror autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Earlier work by Weiskopf’s lab linked these symptoms to persistent inflammatory CD4+ T cells. However, the new study found that both chronic and recovered patients target the same viral epitopes, raising questions about why some T cells linger and cause long-term harm.
Graduate student Rimjhim Agarwal, funded by The Tullie and Rickey Families SPARK Awards, compared T cell responses between patient groups. Her work confirmed that epitope recognition alone doesn’t explain chronic inflammation, suggesting the virus may hide in tissues, prolonging immune activation.
“Now we can see what T cells see in chronic patients,” said Dr. Weiskopf. Agarwal added, “Identifying these epitopes could seed new research into Chikungunya-specific T cell responses.”
As Chikungunya spreads globally, this research provides critical tools for combating the virus. Future studies will explore viral reservoirs in the body and mechanisms driving chronic disease, offering hope for millions at risk.
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