Investigação do papel das nets (armadilhas extracelulares de neutrófilos) na imunopatogênese da chikungunya

Abstract

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are web-like structures composed of DNA, histones, and antimicrobial proteins released by neutrophils as part of the innate immune response. Although NETs have been extensively studied in bacterial infections, their role in viral diseases, such as Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection, remains poorly understood. In viral infections, NETs have an ambiguous role, being able to act as a defense mechanism, but can intensify inflammation and cause tissue damage when released excessively. CHIKV infection causes symptoms such as fever, malaise, rash, myalgia, and especially prolonged arthralgia, which can compromise quality of life. Although it is usually self-limiting, it can lead to death in at-risk groups, such as infants, the elderly, and people with comorbidities. The scarcity of studies on the role of NETs in CHIKV infection compromises the understanding of host defense mechanisms and limits the advancement of more effective therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. This study investigated the presence of NET markers during CHIKV infection over time in female patients. The study included 40 women with CHIKV infection, evaluated on days D0, D21, D90, D180 and D360, and the control group consisted of 10 healthy women.