The role and mechanism of gamma delta T cells in Mayaro virus infection

• Grant number: 25/12115-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: February 16, 2026
• End date: February 15, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: José Luiz Proença Módena
• Grantee: Camila Lopes Simeoni
• Supervisor: William Marciel de Souza
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Kentucky (UK), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/00723-1 - The role of IRF5 in the humoral response in emerging arboviroses with acute or chronic manifestations, BP.DD

Abstract

Mayaro virus (MAYV) is a neglected arthritogenic arbovirus endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean, with a high potential to lead to future epidemics. Mayaro causes Mayaro fever, an illness with debilitating symptoms, such as fever, headache, polyarthralgia, and in some cases, neurological complications. Recent studies and our preliminary data indicated that gamma delta T cells can play a non-redundant role in protection during viral dissemination and neuroinvasion. In this project, we aim to define the role and mechanisms of gamma delta T cells in controlling MAYV pathogenesis. To achieve this, we will conduct an approach integrating knockout mouse models, adoptive transfer, subset depletion, flow cytometry, and single-cell RNA sequencing. Our goals are: 1) define the role of gamma delta T cells in MAYV challenge; 2) investigate the protective mechanisms of gamma delta T cell subsets and IFN-gamma production; and 3) evaluate the impact of age on gamma delta T cell-mediated immunity to MAYV. Overall, this project will generate basic and translational knowledge about gamma delta T cells in MAYV infections. Our findings may also inform the development of Immunotherapeutics for MAYV. (AU)