Protection From Arthritis and Myositis in a Mouse Model of Acute Chikungunya Virus Disease by Bindarit, an Inhibitor of Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 Synthesis

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is associated with outbreaks of infectious rheumatic disease in humans. Using a mouse model of CHIKV arthritis and myositis, we show that tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) were dramatically induced in tissues from infected mice. The same factors were detected in the serum of patients with CHIKV-induced polyarthralgia and polyarthritis, with MCP-1 levels being particularly elevated. Bindarit (MCP inhibitor) treatment ameliorated CHIKV disease in mice. Histological analysis of muscle and joint tissues showed a reduction in inflammatory infiltrate in infected mice treated with bindarit. These results suggest that bindarit may be useful in treating CHIKV-induced arthritides in humans.