AUTHOR=Poh Chek Meng , Chan Yi-Hao , Ng Lisa F. P. 

TITLE=Role of T Cells in Chikungunya Virus Infection and Utilizing Their Potential in Anti-Viral Immunity

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2020.00287

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2020.00287

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arthropod-borne alphavirus that causes hallmark debilitating polyarthralgia, fever, and rash in patients. T cell-mediated immunity, especially CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells, are known to participate in the pathogenic role of CHIKV immunopathology. The other T cell subsets, notably CD8<sup>+</sup>, NKT, and gamma-delta (γδ) T cells, can also contribute to protective immunity, but their effect is not actuated during the natural course of infection. This review serves to consolidate and discuss the multifaceted roles of these T cell subsets during acute and chronic phases of CHIKV infection, and highlight gaps in the current literature. Importantly, the unique characteristics of skin-resident memory T cells are outlined to propose novel prophylactic strategies that utilize their properties to provide adequate, lasting protection.</p>