Differential lymphocyte activation induced by mammalian-derived Ebola virus-like particles in a post-exposure murine model. (52.23)

Abstract

Abstract Ebola virus is a member of filoviradae, a family of negative single stranded RNA viruses which cause hemorrhagic fever with mortality rates of up to 90%. To date there is no approved treatment to combat this deadly disease. During studies in a murine model, it was found that Ebola virus-like particles (eVLP) provided sufficient protection when given 24 hours after Ebola virus exposure. However, a study determining the specific, in vivo eVLP activation of immune cell subsets during the course of infection has not been performed. Utilizing flow cytometry, lymphocytes within the draining lymph node of the eVLP vaccination site were compared to corresponding cells in unvaccinated mice. In preliminary studies, eVLP induced significantly different levels of B cell activation on day 7 of the infection. In day 7 eVLP vaccinated mice, activation was found to be significantly higher in the draining inguinal lymph node compared to the contra-lateral inguinal node. Future studies will attempt to expand upon the functional significance of this lymphocyte response, while also incorporating the role of macrophages and dendritic cells. This study better characterizes the local, in vivo, adaptive immune responses induced by eVLP in this post-exposure model of protection. By understanding the proper adaptive immune response to therapeutically protect against this virus, it may be possible to modulate future therapies to target these specific successful responses for further up regulation.