Arthritogenic alphaviruses: New insights on how host immune responses drive disease

Abstract: Alphaviruses are carried by arthropods such as mosquitoes. A range of mosquito-borne viruses cause disease in humans, but there are few preventative or therapeutic options available to limit outbreaks and disease burden. Much of our understanding of how these viruses cause disease stems from the use of experimental animal models, which often serve as a platform for vaccine and/or therapeutic development. This seminar will cover recent work based on animal models of arthritogenic alphaviruses Ross River virus (RRV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV), with a focus on immune responses and the role of distinct immune compartments in inflammation, disease, and resolution. This work aims to highlight some of the knowledge gaps that need to be addressed to limit the impact of arboviral disease outbreaks.

Bio: Dr. Ali Zaid is a viral immunologist with over 15 years' experience who studies immune responses to viral infections at the Menzies Health Institute Queensland, at Griffith University. Much of his work focuses on mosquito-borne viruses and aims to provide a better understanding of how the immune system contributes to inflammatory diseases like viral arthritis. Dr. Zaid uses microscopy techniques, coupled with multiparametric flow cytometry and transcriptional profiling to better understand how viruses like Chikungunya virus, Ross River virus, as well as Influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 cause tissue inflammation and disease. He has established domestic and international collaborations on projects ranging from cellular, bacterial and parasite immunology to lung disease and vaccine development.