Abstract
Lassa fever is a hemorrhagic fever endemic to West Africa and caused by Lassa virus, an Old World arenavirus. It may be fatal, but most patients recover from acute disease and some experience asymptomatic infection. The immune mechanisms associated with these different outcomes have not yet been fully elucidated, but considerable progress has recently been made, through the use of in vitro human models and nonhuman primates, the only relevant animal model that mimics the pathophysiology and immune responses induced in patients. We discuss here the roles of the various components of the innate and adaptive immune systems in Lassa virus infection and in the control of viral replication and pathogenesis.
Highlights
Lassa fever (LF) is a viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) caused by Lassa virus (LASV), an Old World arenavirus [1]
Antigen-presenting cells (APC) are initially the site of early replication in the periphery, and, following the infection of most of these cells and the relentless replication occurring in the lymphoid organs, these cells become the primary reservoir for the systemic dissemination of LASV [22,25,29,31]
There are several possible hypotheses, including differences in inoculum size [25], different routes of infection [96,108], different cell populations targeted early in infection [109], different genetic backgrounds (MHC) and preexisting homologous or heterologous immunity [110]. These results indicate that T cells are essential for the control of LF and that a vaccine able to induce T cells specific for LASV GP, and possibly for NP, would probably be effective
Summary
Lassa fever (LF) is a viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) caused by Lassa virus (LASV), an Old World arenavirus [1]. The pathogenesis of LF and the immune responses occurring during the disease have yet to be fully elucidated This limited knowledge results principally from the remote location of the areas in which LF is endemic and the high level of infectivity of LV, both of which have hampered investigations of LF in humans. Model for LF, but investigations in these animals are limited by the need to manipulate them in BSL4 facilities Despite these problems, substantial advances have recently been made through studies in NHP and human in vitro models and the use of reverse genetic tools. Substantial advances have recently been made through studies in NHP and human in vitro models and the use of reverse genetic tools We review these data here, providing an overview of current knowledge concerning the immune responses associated with
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