Piecing the puzzle of dengue immunity and pathogenesis

Prof. Ooi describes recent research on dengue virus, exploring what drives disease severity and what truly protects against it. They highlight the critical role of T cells, particularly against the capsid protein, in controlling infection and preventing severe disease, sometimes even more than antibodies. The presentation also reviews real-world vaccine studies and experimental models, showing how early T cell responses can lead to asymptomatic or mild dengue. Finally, it emphasizes how understanding T cell immunity could reshape future vaccine strategies and improve dengue control worldwide.