CD8 T cell dynamics and immune cell trafficking in ZIKV infection: implications for neuroinflammation and therapy

Abstract The 2015–2016 Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic underscored the severe consequences of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) and the broader challenges posed by neurotropic flaviviruses. As key mediators of cytotoxic immunity, CD8 T cells play a crucial and multifaceted role in ZIKV pathogenesis. While e...

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Main Author: Sungjun Park
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:Virology Journal
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-025-02866-9
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author Sungjun Park
author_facet Sungjun Park
author_sort Sungjun Park
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The 2015–2016 Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic underscored the severe consequences of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) and the broader challenges posed by neurotropic flaviviruses. As key mediators of cytotoxic immunity, CD8 T cells play a crucial and multifaceted role in ZIKV pathogenesis. While essential for controlling viral replication, their infiltration into the central nervous system (CNS)—an immune-privileged site—raises potential concerns regarding immunopathology. This review explores the dual roles of CD8 T cells during ZIKV infection, emphasizing both their antiviral functions and their potential to drive neuroinflammation. We examine how ZIKV infection and chemokine-mediated signals facilitate immune cell trafficking across the blood–brain barrier, drawing parallels with other neurotropic flaviviruses. We also explore how therapeutic agents, such as the S1P receptor modulator FTY720, influence lymphocyte trafficking and CNS immune regulation. Finally, we review emerging interventions—including vaccines, antivirals, immunomodulators, and passive immunotherapies—that aim to achieve effective viral control while minimizing neural damage. A balanced understanding of immune cell responses in flavivirus infections is essential for guiding future therapeutic strategies against ZIKV and related neurotropic viruses.
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spelling doaj-art-12f5dc52d13b4449b8bbbaf1873716a22025-08-20T03:45:45ZengBMCVirology Journal1743-422X2025-07-0122111210.1186/s12985-025-02866-9CD8 T cell dynamics and immune cell trafficking in ZIKV infection: implications for neuroinflammation and therapySungjun Park0Center for Infectious Disease Vaccine and Diagnosis Innovation (CEVI), Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT)Abstract The 2015–2016 Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic underscored the severe consequences of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) and the broader challenges posed by neurotropic flaviviruses. As key mediators of cytotoxic immunity, CD8 T cells play a crucial and multifaceted role in ZIKV pathogenesis. While essential for controlling viral replication, their infiltration into the central nervous system (CNS)—an immune-privileged site—raises potential concerns regarding immunopathology. This review explores the dual roles of CD8 T cells during ZIKV infection, emphasizing both their antiviral functions and their potential to drive neuroinflammation. We examine how ZIKV infection and chemokine-mediated signals facilitate immune cell trafficking across the blood–brain barrier, drawing parallels with other neurotropic flaviviruses. We also explore how therapeutic agents, such as the S1P receptor modulator FTY720, influence lymphocyte trafficking and CNS immune regulation. Finally, we review emerging interventions—including vaccines, antivirals, immunomodulators, and passive immunotherapies—that aim to achieve effective viral control while minimizing neural damage. A balanced understanding of immune cell responses in flavivirus infections is essential for guiding future therapeutic strategies against ZIKV and related neurotropic viruses.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-025-02866-9Zika virusCD8 T cellsFlavivirusesImmune cells infiltrationCentral nervous systemNeuroinflammation
spellingShingle Sungjun Park
CD8 T cell dynamics and immune cell trafficking in ZIKV infection: implications for neuroinflammation and therapy
Virology Journal
Zika virus
CD8 T cells
Flaviviruses
Immune cells infiltration
Central nervous system
Neuroinflammation
title CD8 T cell dynamics and immune cell trafficking in ZIKV infection: implications for neuroinflammation and therapy
title_full CD8 T cell dynamics and immune cell trafficking in ZIKV infection: implications for neuroinflammation and therapy
title_fullStr CD8 T cell dynamics and immune cell trafficking in ZIKV infection: implications for neuroinflammation and therapy
title_full_unstemmed CD8 T cell dynamics and immune cell trafficking in ZIKV infection: implications for neuroinflammation and therapy
title_short CD8 T cell dynamics and immune cell trafficking in ZIKV infection: implications for neuroinflammation and therapy
title_sort cd8 t cell dynamics and immune cell trafficking in zikv infection implications for neuroinflammation and therapy
topic Zika virus
CD8 T cells
Flaviviruses
Immune cells infiltration
Central nervous system
Neuroinflammation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-025-02866-9
work_keys_str_mv AT sungjunpark cd8tcelldynamicsandimmunecelltraffickinginzikvinfectionimplicationsforneuroinflammationandtherapy