Understanding how genetics and immunity shape chikungunya brain disease
Official title: Using the Collaborative Cross to elucidate genetic and immune factors mediating chikungunya virus neuropathogenesis
Funded at Texas Biomedical Research Institute · NIH-11375285 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project uses genetically diverse mice to learn why chikungunya virus causes brain inflammation in some people and how immune responses contribute to this disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Biomedical Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $962,661 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI193490-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11375285 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a clinical trial; results may inform human patients with chikungunya or those at risk for neurological complications in the future.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit is not immediate; the work is preclinical and involves mouse models.
What this research studies
This project will use the Collaborative Cross mouse population to model CHIKV infection in a way that reflects human biology. Researchers will study genetic and immune factors that influence whether the virus reaches the brain and how inflammation develops. They will compare different genetic backgrounds to identify why some hosts are more susceptible to neurological symptoms. The study aims to create immunocompetent, neurodevelopmentally appropriate mouse models that better mirror human CHIKV neuropathogenesis. Findings could inform approaches to prevent or treat brain involvement in CHIKV infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to better understanding of who is at risk for CHIKV brain disease and guide development of targeted therapies or vaccines to protect the nervous system.
How similar studies have gone: Previous CHIKV studies have shown the importance of host factors and immunity in disease, but adult immunocompetent mouse models for neuroinvasion are lacking, making this approach innovative.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Biomedical Research Institute
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baxter, Victoria K — Texas Biomedical Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Baxter, Victoria K
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.