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

Award Number: K23AR076505
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS & MUSCULOSKELETAL & SKIN DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2020
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2024

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


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = -$19,769 )
2025	2022	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (THE)	1918 F ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	000	3	10/10/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$19,769
														Subtotal = -$19,769

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $155,174 )
2022	2022	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE	1918 F ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	000	3	5/23/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$155,174
														Subtotal = $155,174

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $155,174 )
2021	2021	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE	1918 F ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	000	2	6/18/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$155,174
														Subtotal = $155,174

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $155,174 )
2020	2020	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE	1918 F ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	000	1	5/26/2020	NEW	$155,174
														Subtotal = $155,174

Grand Total All Awards = $445,753

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

Award Number: K23AR076505

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS & MUSCULOSKELETAL & SKIN DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2020

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2024

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