# The role of IL-2 therapy for Relapsing-Remitting Chikungunya Arthritis

> **NIH NIH K23** · GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $155,174

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an alphavirus spread by mosquitos that causes persistent arthritis in
approximately one-fourth of patients. There is currently no evidence-based standard treatment for CHIKV
chronic arthritis. In the current proposal, we seek to identify a therapeutic target for relapsing-remitting arthritis
associated with CHIKV infection. Our Colombian cohort (n = 500) of patients affected by CHIKV affords a
unique opportunity to further understand the immunology of CHIKV arthritis flares. Our preliminary data
suggest that alteration of regulatory T cell (Treg) function may play a role in CHIKV arthritis pathogenesis.
Novel low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) based therapies for autoimmune disease have been shown to up-regulate
Tregs and may be of use in CHIKV arthritis flares. Our main goal is to further understand the role of IL-2 in
Treg populations in CHIKV arthritis. Our central hypothesis is that chronic CHIKV arthritis activity is
associated with deficient IL-2 mediated Treg levels and low-dose IL-2 is a potential therapeutic. This
hypothesis will be evaluated in two specific aims. In Aim 1, we will describe the role of IL-2 in Treg expansion
and corresponding arthritis severity during CHIKV arthritis flare vs. remission compared to non-arthritic
controls. In Aim 2, we will determine the role of IL-2 therapy in the treatment of CHIKV arthritis in a mouse
model. The impact of this research will determine the correlation between Tregs and CHIKV-associated
arthralgia. It may provide a pre-clinical evaluation of low-dose IL-2 therapy for CHIKV arthritis and insights into
the use of this novel therapeutic for viral arthritis in general.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10434689
- **Project number:** 5K23AR076505-03
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Aileen Chang
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $155,174
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-06-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10434689

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10434689, The role of IL-2 therapy for Relapsing-Remitting Chikungunya Arthritis (5K23AR076505-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10434689. Licensed CC0.

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