NIAID researchers examine how immune system can affect Ebola virus development

A team of scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) recently studied a new mouse model that shows how early responses of the immune system can affect the development of the Ebola virus disease (EVD).

Researchers said the model could help identify protective immune responses as targets for developing human EVD therapeutics. For the study, the researchers analyzed signals that host cells used to alert the immune system to Ebola infection, and the subsequent immune responses. Specifically, they examined the signaling that occurs within hours of a virus infection and involve mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS).

The research team knew that MAVS played a key anti-EVD role, which was examined in the mouse model for the first time. They found that MAVS produced by macrophages were critical in controlling EVD infection and limiting organ tissue damage. Throughout their experiments, macrophages coordinated the development of more advanced immune responses, along with the production of type I interferon, which has potent antiviral activity.

NIAID researchers also learned that EVD could cause disease in mice by suppressing MAVS signaling.

The research team said they are now working to pinpoint the precise immune responses control through MAVS and to learn how EVD can sometimes delay immune signaling.