Lipid droplets in the antiviral response via viperin in skeletal muscle cells infected with Chikungunya

• Grant number: 24/10834-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: Mariana Kiomy Osako
• Grantee: Beatriz Calasense de Campos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In 2024, Chikungunya affected over 180,000 individuals in Brazil, a 67% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Chikungunya is caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and its main symptoms include fever, arthralgia and myalgia, which can persist for months or even years´ post-infection. Skeletal muscle is the most affected tissue and is essential for the development of pathogenesis. Preliminary data from our laboratory shows that CHIKV infection alters lipid metabolism in human adipocytes. The scientific literature explores the relationship between viral infection and cellular metabolism, as well as the impact of these infection on the dynamics of lipid droplets, organelles that are central to cell metabolic homeostasis. Lipid droplets are composed of a phospholipid monolayer and an interior of triacylglycerides and sterol esters, and are closely associated with the lipid metabolism of cells. However, recent studies show that their cellular functions are not limited to metabolism. In skeletal muscle cells, for example, there organelles regulate the process of cell differentiation. In the context of viral infection, studies show that viral infection-induced alterations in lipid droplets dynamics are related to changes in cellular lipid metabolism. Furthermore, lipid droplets are described as participants in the innate antiviral immune response via viperin, an interferon-induced protein located in lipid droplets and capable of inhibiting the CHIKV replication. This project aims to explore the impacts of CHIKV infection on the lipid metabolism of murine skeletal muscle cell line (C2C12), as well as to evaluate the dynamics of lipid droplets in response to infection. Additionally, we will investigate the role of lipid droplets in establishing an antiviral response via viperin.