Interferon Alpha, but Not Interferon Beta, Acts Early To Control Chronic Chikungunya Virus Pathogenesis

Abstract

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a reemerging global pathogen with no effective vaccine or antiviral treatment for acute or chronic disease, and the mechanisms underlying chronic disease manifestations remain poorly defined. The significance of our research is in defining IFN-α, but not IFN-β, as an important host regulator of chronic CHIKV pathogenesis that acts within the first 48 h of infection to limit persistent viral RNA and the number of cells that survive CHIKV infection 1 month postinfection.