1
|
Bodmer BS, Hoenen T. Reverse Genetics Systems for Filoviruses. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2733:1-14. [PMID: 38064023 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3533-9_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Filoviruses are causative agents of severe hemorrhagic fevers with high case fatality rates in humans. For studies of virus biology and the subsequent development of countermeasures, reverse genetic systems, and especially those facilitating the generation of recombinant filoviruses, are indispensable. Here, we describe the generation of recombinant filoviruses from cDNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bianca S Bodmer
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Thomas Hoenen
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bodmer BS, Breithaupt A, Heung M, Brunetti JE, Henkel C, Müller-Guhl J, Rodríguez E, Wendt L, Winter SL, Vallbracht M, Müller A, Römer S, Chlanda P, Muñoz-Fontela C, Hoenen T, Escudero-Pérez B. In vivo characterization of the novel ebolavirus Bombali virus suggests a low pathogenic potential for humans. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023; 12:2164216. [PMID: 36580440 PMCID: PMC9858441 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2164216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Ebolaviruses cause outbreaks of haemorrhagic fever in Central and West Africa. Some members of this genus such as Ebola virus (EBOV) are highly pathogenic, with case fatality rates of up to 90%, whereas others such as Reston virus (RESTV) are apathogenic for humans. Bombali virus (BOMV) is a novel ebolavirus for which complete genome sequences were recently found in free-tailed bats, although no infectious virus could be isolated. Its pathogenic potential for humans is unknown. To address this question, we first determined whether proteins encoded by the available BOMV sequence found in Chaerephon pumilus were functional in in vitro assays. The correction of an apparent sequencing error in the glycoprotein based on these data then allowed us to generate infectious BOMV using reverse genetics and characterize its infection of human cells. Furthermore, we used HLA-A2-transgenic, NOD-scid-IL-2γ receptor-knockout (NSG-A2) mice reconstituted with human haematopoiesis as a model to evaluate the pathogenicity of BOMV in vivo in a human-like immune environment. These data demonstrate that not only does BOMV show a slower growth rate than EBOV in vitro, but it also shows low pathogenicity in humanized mice, comparable to previous studies using RESTV. Taken together, these findings suggest a low pathogenic potential of BOMV for humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B. S. Bodmer
- Institute for Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald – Insel Riems, Germany
| | - A. Breithaupt
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald – Insel Riems, Germany
| | - M. Heung
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - J. E. Brunetti
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - C. Henkel
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - J. Müller-Guhl
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany,Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - E. Rodríguez
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - L. Wendt
- Institute for Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald – Insel Riems, Germany
| | - S. L. Winter
- Schaller Research Groups, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M. Vallbracht
- Schaller Research Groups, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - A. Müller
- Institute for Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald – Insel Riems, Germany
| | - S. Römer
- Institute for Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald – Insel Riems, Germany
| | - P. Chlanda
- Schaller Research Groups, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - C. Muñoz-Fontela
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - T. Hoenen
- Institute for Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald – Insel Riems, Germany, T. Hoenen Institute for Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, Greifswald – Insel Riems, 17493Germany
| | - B. Escudero-Pérez
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel, Braunschweig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gilbertson B, Subbarao K. What Have We Learned by Resurrecting the 1918 Influenza Virus? Annu Rev Virol 2023; 10:25-47. [PMID: 37774132 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-111821-104408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
The 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic was one of the deadliest infectious disease events in recorded history, resulting in approximately 50-100 million deaths worldwide. The origins of the 1918 virus and the molecular basis for its exceptional virulence remained a mystery for much of the 20th century because the pandemic predated virologic techniques to isolate, passage, and store influenza viruses. In the late 1990s, overlapping fragments of influenza viral RNA preserved in the tissues of several 1918 victims were amplified and sequenced. The use of influenza reverse genetics then permitted scientists to reconstruct the 1918 virus entirely from cloned complementary DNA, leading to new insights into the origin of the virus and its pathogenicity. Here, we discuss some of the advances made by resurrection of the 1918 virus, including the rise of innovative molecular research, which is a topic in the dual use debate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brad Gilbertson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kanta Subbarao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Malik S, Waheed Y. Tracing down the updates on Ebola virus surges: An update on anti-ebola therapeutic strategies. J Transl Int Med 2023; 11:216-225. [PMID: 37662888 PMCID: PMC10474883 DOI: 10.2478/jtim-2023-0100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV) related health complications have presented a great threat to the healthcare system in the endemic regions. The outbreaks of 2013-2016 and 2018-2020 brought along a huge healthcare burden for the afected communities. Knowing the seriousness of the matter, a series of research experiments have been actively carried out to devise efective therapeutics, drugs, and vaccination protocols against the Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the past decade. The purpose of this piece of literature is to shed light on vaccination protocols being clinically evaluated for EVD. A methodological approach has been adopted to gather relevant data from the latest publications. The compiled data include the molecular mechanistic insights into Ebola infection and a brief overview of diferent vaccination strategies: inactivated and DNA vaccines, virus-like particles and replicons, reverse genetic and recombinant approaches, entry, ion, and gene expression inhibitors, and some repurposed drugs. This data will help the scientific community to get a comprehensive overview of therapeutic interventions against Ebola that could be related to modifying EBOV vaccines and designing other antiviral vaccinations. Having said that, further work in modern therapeutic design is pertinent to tackle and lessen the healthcare burden expected from such outbreaks in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiza Malik
- Bridging Health Foundation, Rawalpindi, Punjab46000, Pakistan
| | - Yasir Waheed
- Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC), Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), Islamabad44000, Pakistan
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos1401, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tong XK, Li H, Yang L, Xie SZ, Xie S, Gong Y, Peng C, Gao XX, Shi ZL, Yang XL, Zuo JP. Multiplication of defective Ebola virus in a complementary permissive cell line. Antiviral Res 2023; 209:105491. [PMID: 36526073 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In an effort to develop safe and innovative in vitro models for Ebola virus (EBOV) research, we generated a recombinant Ebola virus where the glycoprotein (GP) gene was substituted with the Cre recombinase (Cre) gene by reverse genetics. This defective virus could multiply itself in a complementary permissive cell line, which could express GP and reporter protein upon exogenous Cre existence. The main features of this novel model for Ebola virus are intact viral life cycle, robust virus multiplication and normal virions morphology. The design of this model ensures its safety, excellent stability and maneuverability as a tool for virology research as well as for antiviral agent screening and drug discovery, and such a design could be further adapted to other viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Kun Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Immunological Disease Research Center, BSL-3 Laboratory, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Heng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Immunological Disease Research Center, BSL-3 Laboratory, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Li Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Immunological Disease Research Center, BSL-3 Laboratory, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Shi-Zhe Xie
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Sha Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Immunological Disease Research Center, BSL-3 Laboratory, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Ying Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Immunological Disease Research Center, BSL-3 Laboratory, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xiao-Xiao Gao
- Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zheng-Li Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xing-Lou Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; Hubei Jiangxia Lab, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Jian-Ping Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Immunological Disease Research Center, BSL-3 Laboratory, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Heiden B, Mühlberger E, Lennon CW, Hume AJ. Labeling Ebola Virus with a Self-Splicing Fluorescent Reporter. Microorganisms 2022; 10:2110. [PMID: 36363701 PMCID: PMC9696229 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Inteins (intervening proteins) are polypeptides that interrupt the sequence of other proteins and remove themselves through protein splicing. In this intein-catalyzed reaction, the two peptide bonds surrounding the intein are rearranged to release the intein from the flanking protein sequences, termed N- and C-exteins, which are concurrently joined by a peptide bond. Because of this unique functionality, inteins have proven exceptionally useful in protein engineering. Previous work has demonstrated that heterologous proteins can be inserted within an intein, with both the intein and inserted protein retaining function, allowing for intein-containing genes to coexpress additional coding sequences. Here, we show that a fluorescent protein (ZsGreen) can be inserted within the Pyrococcus horikoshii RadA intein, with the hybrid protein (ZsG-Int) maintaining fluorescence and splicing capability. We used this system to create a recombinant Ebola virus expressing a fluorescent protein. We first tested multiple potential insertion sites for ZsG-Int within individual Ebola virus proteins, identifying a site within the VP30 gene that facilitated efficient intein splicing in mammalian cells while also preserving VP30 function. Next, we successfully rescued a virus containing the ZsG-Int-VP30 fusion protein, which displayed fluorescence in the infected cells. We thus report a new intein-based application for adding reporters to systems without the need to add additional genes. Further, this work highlights a novel reporter design, whereby the reporter is only made if the protein of interest is translated and does not remain fused to the protein of interest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baylee Heiden
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Elke Mühlberger
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | | | - Adam J. Hume
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Policy & Research, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Vanmechelen B, Stroobants J, Chiu W, Naesens L, Schepers J, Vermeire K, Maes P. Development and optimization of biologically contained Marburg virus for high-throughput antiviral screening. Antiviral Res 2022; 207:105426. [DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
8
|
Reverse genetics in virology: A double edged sword. BIOSAFETY AND HEALTH 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bsheal.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
|
9
|
Vanmechelen B, Stroobants J, Chiu W, Schepers J, Marchand A, Chaltin P, Vermeire K, Maes P. Identification of novel Ebola virus inhibitors using biologically contained virus. Antiviral Res 2022; 200:105294. [PMID: 35337896 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Despite recent advancements in the development of vaccines and monoclonal antibody therapies for Ebola virus disease, treatment options remain limited. Moreover, management and containment of Ebola virus outbreaks is often hindered by the remote nature of the locations in which the outbreaks originate. Small-molecule compounds offer the advantage of being relatively cheap and easy to produce, transport and store, making them an interesting modality for the development of novel therapeutics against Ebola virus disease. Furthermore, the repurposing of small-molecule compounds, previously developed for alternative applications, can aid in reducing the time needed to bring potential therapeutics from bench to bedside. For this purpose, the Medicines for Malaria Venture provides collections of previously developed small-molecule compounds for screening against other infectious diseases. In this study, we used biologically contained Ebola virus to screen over 4,200 small-molecule drugs and drug-like compounds provided by the Medicines for Malaria Venture (i.e., the Pandemic Response Box and the COVID Box) and the Centre for Drug Design and Discovery (CD3, KU Leuven, Belgium). In addition to confirming known Ebola virus inhibitors, illustrating the validity of our screening assays, we identified eight novel selective Ebola virus inhibitors. Although the inhibitory potential of these compounds remains to be validated in vivo, they represent interesting compounds for the study of potential interventions against Ebola virus disease and might serve as a basis for the development of new therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bert Vanmechelen
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joren Stroobants
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Winston Chiu
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joost Schepers
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Arnaud Marchand
- CISTIM Leuven vzw, Gaston Geenslaan 2, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrick Chaltin
- CISTIM Leuven vzw, Gaston Geenslaan 2, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Centre for Drug Design and Discovery (CD3), KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 2, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kurt Vermeire
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Piet Maes
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hume AJ, Heiden B, Olejnik J, Suder EL, Ross S, Scoon WA, Bullitt E, Ericsson M, White MR, Turcinovic J, Thao TTN, Hekman RM, Kaserman JE, Huang J, Alysandratos KD, Toth GE, Jakab F, Kotton DN, Wilson AA, Emili A, Thiel V, Connor JH, Kemenesi G, Cifuentes D, Mühlberger E. Recombinant Lloviu virus as a tool to study viral replication and host responses. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010268. [PMID: 35120176 PMCID: PMC8849519 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Next generation sequencing has revealed the presence of numerous RNA viruses in animal reservoir hosts, including many closely related to known human pathogens. Despite their zoonotic potential, most of these viruses remain understudied due to not yet being cultured. While reverse genetic systems can facilitate virus rescue, this is often hindered by missing viral genome ends. A prime example is Lloviu virus (LLOV), an uncultured filovirus that is closely related to the highly pathogenic Ebola virus. Using minigenome systems, we complemented the missing LLOV genomic ends and identified cis-acting elements required for LLOV replication that were lacking in the published sequence. We leveraged these data to generate recombinant full-length LLOV clones and rescue infectious virus. Similar to other filoviruses, recombinant LLOV (rLLOV) forms filamentous virions and induces the formation of characteristic inclusions in the cytoplasm of the infected cells, as shown by electron microscopy. Known target cells of Ebola virus, including macrophages and hepatocytes, are permissive to rLLOV infection, suggesting that humans could be potential hosts. However, inflammatory responses in human macrophages, a hallmark of Ebola virus disease, are not induced by rLLOV. Additional tropism testing identified pneumocytes as capable of robust rLLOV and Ebola virus infection. We also used rLLOV to test antivirals targeting multiple facets of the replication cycle. Rescue of uncultured viruses of pathogenic concern represents a valuable tool in our arsenal for pandemic preparedness. Due to increasing utilization of high-throughput sequencing technologies, RNA sequences of many unknown viruses have been discovered in bats and other animal species. Research on the pathogenic potential of these viruses is hampered by incomplete viral genome sequences and difficulties in isolating infectious virus from the animal hosts. One example of these potentially zoonotic pathogens is Lloviu virus (LLOV), a filovirus which is closely related to Ebola virus. Here we applied molecular virological approaches, including minigenome assays, to complement the incomplete LLOV genome ends with sequences from related viruses and identify cis-acting elements required for LLOV replication and transcription that were missing in the published LLOV sequence. The resulting full-length clones were used to generate infectious recombinant LLOV. We used this virus for electron microscopic analyses, infection studies in human cells, host response analysis, and antiviral drug testing. Our results provide new insights into the pathogenic potential of LLOV and delineate a roadmap for studying uncultured viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam J. Hume
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail: (AJH); (EM)
| | - Baylee Heiden
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Judith Olejnik
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ellen L. Suder
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Stephen Ross
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Whitney A. Scoon
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Esther Bullitt
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Maria Ericsson
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Mitchell R. White
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jacquelyn Turcinovic
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Program in Bioinformatics, Boston University; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Tran T. N. Thao
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI); Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern; Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ryan M. Hekman
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Center for Network Systems Biology, Boston University; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Joseph E. Kaserman
- Center for Regenerative Medicine of Boston University and Boston Medical Center; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- The Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jessie Huang
- Center for Regenerative Medicine of Boston University and Boston Medical Center; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- The Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Konstantinos-Dionysios Alysandratos
- Center for Regenerative Medicine of Boston University and Boston Medical Center; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- The Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gabor E. Toth
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs; Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Jakab
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs; Pécs, Hungary
| | - Darrell N. Kotton
- Center for Regenerative Medicine of Boston University and Boston Medical Center; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- The Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Andrew A. Wilson
- Center for Regenerative Medicine of Boston University and Boston Medical Center; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- The Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Andrew Emili
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Center for Network Systems Biology, Boston University; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Boston University; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Volker Thiel
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI); Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern; Bern, Switzerland
| | - John H. Connor
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gabor Kemenesi
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs; Pécs, Hungary
| | - Daniel Cifuentes
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Elke Mühlberger
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University; Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail: (AJH); (EM)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
On-Demand Patient-Specific Phenotype-to-Genotype Ebola Virus Characterization. Viruses 2021; 13:v13102010. [PMID: 34696439 PMCID: PMC8537714 DOI: 10.3390/v13102010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Biosafety, biosecurity, logistical, political, and technical considerations can delay or prevent the wide dissemination of source material containing viable virus from the geographic origin of an outbreak to laboratories involved in developing medical countermeasures (MCMs). However, once virus genome sequence information is available from clinical samples, reverse-genetics systems can be used to generate virus stocks de novo to initiate MCM development. In this study, we developed a reverse-genetics system for natural isolates of Ebola virus (EBOV) variants Makona, Tumba, and Ituri, which have been challenging to obtain. These systems were generated starting solely with in silico genome sequence information and have been used successfully to produce recombinant stocks of each of the viruses for use in MCM testing. The antiviral activity of MCMs targeting viral entry varied depending on the recombinant virus isolate used. Collectively, selecting and synthetically engineering emerging EBOV variants and demonstrating their efficacy against available MCMs will be crucial for answering pressing public health and biosecurity concerns during Ebola disease (EBOD) outbreaks.
Collapse
|
12
|
Vanmechelen B, Stroobants J, Vermeire K, Maes P. Advancing Marburg virus antiviral screening: Optimization of a novel T7 polymerase-independent minigenome system. Antiviral Res 2020; 185:104977. [PMID: 33220335 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Marburg virus (MARV) is the only known pathogenic filovirus not belonging to the genus Ebolavirus. Minigenomes have proven a useful tool to study MARV, but all existing MARV minigenomes are dependent on the addition of an exogenous T7 RNA polymerase to drive minigenome expression. However, exogenous expression of a T7 polymerase is not always feasible and can act as a confounding factor in compound screening assays. We have developed an alternative minigenome that is controlled by the natively expressed RNA polymerase II. We demonstrate here the characteristics of this new system and its applicability in a wide range of cell types. Our system shows a clear concentration-dependent activity and shows comparable activity to the existing T7 polymerase-based system at higher concentrations, also in difficult-to-transfect cell lines. In addition, we show that our system can be used for compound screening in a 96-well format, thereby providing an attractive alternative to previously developed MARV minigenomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bert Vanmechelen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, box 1040 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joren Stroobants
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, box 1043 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kurt Vermeire
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, box 1043 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Piet Maes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, box 1040 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Whitfield ZJ, Prasad AN, Ronk AJ, Kuzmin IV, Ilinykh PA, Andino R, Bukreyev A. Species-Specific Evolution of Ebola Virus during Replication in Human and Bat Cells. Cell Rep 2020; 32:108028. [PMID: 32814037 PMCID: PMC7434439 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV) causes a severe, often fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates. Within the past decade, EBOV has caused two large and difficult-to-control outbreaks, one of which recently ended in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bats are the likely reservoir of EBOV, but little is known of their relationship with the virus. We perform serial passages of EBOV in human and bat cells and use circular sequencing to compare the short-term evolution of the virus. Virus populations passaged in bat cells have sequence markers indicative of host RNA editing enzyme activity, including evidence for ADAR editing of the EBOV glycoprotein. Multiple regions in the EBOV genome appear to have undergone adaptive evolution when passaged in bat and human cells. Individual mutated viruses are rescued and characterized. Our results provide insight into the host species-specific evolution of EBOV and highlight the adaptive flexibility of the virus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary J Whitfield
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Abhishek N Prasad
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Adam J Ronk
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ivan V Kuzmin
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Philipp A Ilinykh
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Raul Andino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Alexander Bukreyev
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zhu W, Banadyga L, Emeterio K, Wong G, Qiu X. The Roles of Ebola Virus Soluble Glycoprotein in Replication, Pathogenesis, and Countermeasure Development. Viruses 2019; 11:v11110999. [PMID: 31683550 PMCID: PMC6893644 DOI: 10.3390/v11110999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV) is a highly lethal pathogen that has caused several outbreaks of severe hemorrhagic fever in humans since its emergence in 1976. The EBOV glycoprotein (GP1,2) is the sole viral envelope protein and a major component of immunogenicity; it is encoded by the GP gene along with two truncated versions: soluble GP (sGP) and small soluble GP (ssGP). sGP is, in fact, the primary product of the GP gene, and it is secreted in abundance during EBOV infection. Since sGP shares large portions of its sequence with GP1,2, it has been hypothesized that sGP may subvert the host immune response by inducing antibodies against sGP rather than GP1,2. Several reports have shown that sGP plays multiple roles that contribute to the complex pathogenesis of EBOV. In this review, we focus on sGP and discuss its possible roles with regards to the pathogenesis of EBOV and the development of specific antiviral drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Zhu
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada.
| | - Logan Banadyga
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada.
| | - Karla Emeterio
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada.
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada.
| | - Gary Wong
- Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- Département de microbiologie-infectiologie et d'immunologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.
| | - Xiangguo Qiu
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wendt L, Bostedt L, Hoenen T, Groseth A. High-throughput screening for negative-stranded hemorrhagic fever viruses using reverse genetics. Antiviral Res 2019; 170:104569. [PMID: 31356830 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.104569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) cause thousands of fatalities every year, but the treatment options for their management remain very limited. In particular, the development of therapeutic interventions is restricted by the lack of commercial viability of drugs targeting individual VHF agents. This makes approaches like drug repurposing and/or the identification of broad range therapies (i.e. those directed at host responses or common proviral factors) highly attractive. However, the identification of candidates for such antiviral repurposing or of host factors/pathways important for the virus life cycle is reliant on high-throughput screening (HTS). Recently, such screening work has been increasingly facilitated by the availability of reverse genetics-based approaches, including tools such as full-length clone (FLC) systems to generate reporter-expressing viruses or various life cycle modelling (LCM) systems, many of which have been developed and/or greatly improved during the last years. In particular, since LCM systems are capable of modelling specific steps in the life cycle, they are a valuable tool for both targeted screening (i.e. for inhibitors of a specific pathway) and mechanism of action studies. This review seeks to summarize the currently available reverse genetics systems for negative-sense VHF causing viruses (i.e. arenaviruses, bunyaviruses and filoviruses), and to highlight the recent advancements made in applying these systems for HTS to identify either antivirals or new virus-host interactions that might hold promise for the development of future treatments for the infections caused by these deadly but neglected virus groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Wendt
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Linus Bostedt
- Junior Research Group - Arenavirus Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Thomas Hoenen
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Allison Groseth
- Junior Research Group - Arenavirus Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Logue J, Vargas Licona W, Cooper TK, Reeder B, Byrum R, Qin J, Deiuliis Murphy N, Cong Y, Bonilla A, Sword J, Weaver W, Kocher G, Olinger GG, Jahrling PB, Hensley LE, Bennett RS. Ebola Virus Isolation Using Huh-7 Cells has Methodological Advantages and Similar Sensitivity to Isolation Using Other Cell Types and Suckling BALB/c Laboratory Mice. Viruses 2019; 11:E161. [PMID: 30781518 PMCID: PMC6410085 DOI: 10.3390/v11020161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Following the largest Ebola virus disease outbreak from 2013 to 2016, viral RNA has been detected in survivors from semen and breast milk long after disease recovery. However, as there have been few cases of sexual transmission, it is unclear whether every RNA positive fluid sample contains infectious virus. Virus isolation, typically using cell culture or animal models, can serve as a tool to determine the infectivity of patient samples. However, the sensitivity of these methods has not been assessed for the Ebola virus isolate, Makona. Described here is an efficiency comparison of Ebola virus Makona isolation using Vero E6, Huh-7, monocyte-derived macrophage cells, and suckling laboratory mice. Isolation sensitivity was similar in all methods tested. Laboratory mice and Huh-7 cells were less affected by toxicity from breast milk than Vero E6 and MDM cells. However, the advantages associated with isolation in Huh-7 cells over laboratory mice, including cost effectiveness, sample volume preservation, and a reduction in animal use, make Huh-7 cells the preferred substrate tested for Ebola virus Makona isolation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James Logue
- Integrated Research Facility, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 8200 Research Plaza, Frederick, MD 27102, USA.
| | - Walter Vargas Licona
- Integrated Research Facility, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 8200 Research Plaza, Frederick, MD 27102, USA.
| | - Timothy K Cooper
- Integrated Research Facility, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 8200 Research Plaza, Frederick, MD 27102, USA.
| | - Becky Reeder
- Integrated Research Facility, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 8200 Research Plaza, Frederick, MD 27102, USA.
| | - Russel Byrum
- Integrated Research Facility, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 8200 Research Plaza, Frederick, MD 27102, USA.
| | - Jing Qin
- Biostatistics Research Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 5601 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
| | - Nicole Deiuliis Murphy
- Integrated Research Facility, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 8200 Research Plaza, Frederick, MD 27102, USA.
| | - Yu Cong
- Integrated Research Facility, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 8200 Research Plaza, Frederick, MD 27102, USA.
| | - Amanda Bonilla
- Integrated Research Facility, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 8200 Research Plaza, Frederick, MD 27102, USA.
| | - Jennifer Sword
- Integrated Research Facility, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 8200 Research Plaza, Frederick, MD 27102, USA.
| | - Wade Weaver
- Integrated Research Facility, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 8200 Research Plaza, Frederick, MD 27102, USA.
| | - Gregory Kocher
- Integrated Research Facility, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 8200 Research Plaza, Frederick, MD 27102, USA.
| | - Gene G Olinger
- Integrated Research Facility, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 8200 Research Plaza, Frederick, MD 27102, USA.
| | - Peter B Jahrling
- Integrated Research Facility, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 8200 Research Plaza, Frederick, MD 27102, USA.
- Emerging Viral Pathogens Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 8200 Research Plaza, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Lisa E Hensley
- Integrated Research Facility, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 8200 Research Plaza, Frederick, MD 27102, USA.
| | - Richard S Bennett
- Integrated Research Facility, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 8200 Research Plaza, Frederick, MD 27102, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Growth-Adaptive Mutations in the Ebola Virus Makona Glycoprotein Alter Different Steps in the Virus Entry Pathway. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.00820-18. [PMID: 30021890 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00820-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV) glycoprotein (GP) is cleaved into two subunits (GP1 and GP2) that are both required for virus attachment and entry into cells. Sequence changes in the GP have been proposed to increase pathogenesis and to alter virus growth properties. Mutations in GP acquired during EBOV tissue culture passage have also been reported to change virus growth properties. Here, we report the isolation of six amino acid mutations in EBOV GP that spontaneously appeared during recovery and passage of an EBOV-Makona GP-pseudotyped vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), two of which also occur during passage of EBOV clinical isolates in tissue culture. Each of the six mutations resulted in increased virus growth in monkey and human cell lines. All mutations are located in the GP2 fusion subunit and increase entry kinetics of EBOV virus-like particles (VLPs). The gain-of-entry function mapped to two mechanistic phenotypes. Mutations in heptad repeat 1 (HR1) decreased the requirement for cathepsin B activity for viral infection. Mutations directly within the fusion loop increased entry kinetics without altering the cathepsin B dependence. Several mutations in the fusion loop were substitutions of residues present in other ebolavirus glycoproteins, illustrating the evolutionary paths for maintaining an optimally functioning fusion loop under selection pressure.IMPORTANCEZaire ebolavirus (EBOV) is the causative agent of the highly lethal Ebola virus disease and poses a significant threat to the global health community. Approved antivirals against EBOV are lacking; however, promising therapies targeting the EBOV glycoprotein are being developed. Efficacy testing of these candidate therapeutics relies on EBOV laboratory stocks, which when grown in tissue culture may acquire mutations in the glycoprotein. These mutations can produce inaccurate results in therapeutic testing. Until recently, distinguishing between tissue culture mutations and naturally occurring polymorphisms in EBOV GP was difficult in the absence of consensus clinical GP sequences. Here, we utilize recombinant VSV (rVSV) pseudotyped with the consensus clinical EBOV Makona GP to identify several mutations that have emerged or have potential to emerge in EBOV GP during tissue culture passage. Identifying these mutations informs the EBOV research community as to which mutations may arise during preparation of laboratory virus stocks.
Collapse
|
18
|
Khan FN, Qazi S, Tanveer K, Raza K. A review on the antagonist Ebola: A prophylactic approach. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 96:1513-1526. [PMID: 29208326 PMCID: PMC7126370 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.11.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV), a member of Filoviridae virus family under the genus Ebolavirus, has emerged as a dangerous and potential threat to human health globally. It causes a severe and deadly hemorrhagic fever in humans and other mammals, called Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). In recent outbreaks of EVD, there has been loss of large numbers of individual’s life. Therefore, EBOV has attracted researchers and increased interests in developing new models for virus evolution, and therapies. The EBOV interacts with the immune system of the host which led to understand how the virus functions and effects immune system behaviour. This article presents an exhaustive review on Ebola research which includes EVD illness, symptoms, transmission patterns, patho-physiology conditions, development of antiviral agents and vaccines, resilient health system, dynamics and mathematical model of EBOV, challenges and prospects for future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Nazish Khan
- Computational Intelligence and Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Computer Science, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Sahar Qazi
- Computational Intelligence and Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Computer Science, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Khushnuma Tanveer
- Computational Intelligence and Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Computer Science, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Khalid Raza
- Computational Intelligence and Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Computer Science, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Banadyga L, Hoenen T, Ambroggio X, Dunham E, Groseth A, Ebihara H. Ebola virus VP24 interacts with NP to facilitate nucleocapsid assembly and genome packaging. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7698. [PMID: 28794491 PMCID: PMC5550494 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08167-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ebola virus causes devastating hemorrhagic fever outbreaks for which no approved therapeutic exists. The viral nucleocapsid, which is minimally composed of the proteins NP, VP35, and VP24, represents an attractive target for drug development; however, the molecular determinants that govern the interactions and functions of these three proteins are still unknown. Through a series of mutational analyses, in combination with biochemical and bioinformatics approaches, we identified a region on VP24 that was critical for its interaction with NP. Importantly, we demonstrated that the interaction between VP24 and NP was required for both nucleocapsid assembly and genome packaging. Not only does this study underscore the critical role that these proteins play in the viral replication cycle, but it also identifies a key interaction interface on VP24 that may serve as a novel target for antiviral therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Logan Banadyga
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
| | - Thomas Hoenen
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA.,Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Xavier Ambroggio
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.,Rosetta Design Group, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA
| | - Eric Dunham
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
| | - Allison Groseth
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA.,Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Hideki Ebihara
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA. .,Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Ruedas JB, Ladner JT, Ettinger CR, Gummuluru S, Palacios G, Connor JH. Spontaneous Mutation at Amino Acid 544 of the Ebola Virus Glycoprotein Potentiates Virus Entry and Selection in Tissue Culture. J Virol 2017; 91:e00392-17. [PMID: 28539437 PMCID: PMC5651722 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00392-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ebolaviruses have a surface glycoprotein (GP1,2) that is required for virus attachment and entry into cells. Mutations affecting GP1,2 functions can alter virus growth properties. We generated a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus encoding Ebola virus Makona variant GP1,2 (rVSV-MAK-GP) and observed emergence of a T544I mutation in the Makona GP1,2 gene during tissue culture passage in certain cell lines. The T544I mutation emerged within two passages when VSV-MAK-GP was grown on Vero E6, Vero, and BS-C-1 cells but not when it was passaged on Huh7 and HepG2 cells. The mutation led to a marked increase in virus growth kinetics and conferred a robust growth advantage over wild-type rVSV-MAK-GP on Vero E6 cells. Analysis of complete viral genomes collected from patients in western Africa indicated that this mutation was not found in Ebola virus clinical samples. However, we observed the emergence of T544I during serial passage of various Ebola Makona isolates on Vero E6 cells. Three independent isolates showed emergence of T544I from undetectable levels in nonpassaged virus or virus passaged once to frequencies of greater than 60% within a single passage, consistent with it being a tissue culture adaptation. Intriguingly, T544I is not found in any Sudan, Bundibugyo, or Tai Forest ebolavirus sequences. Furthermore, T544I did not emerge when we serially passaged recombinant VSV encoding GP1,2 from these ebolaviruses. This report provides experimental evidence that the spontaneous mutation T544I is a tissue culture adaptation in certain cell lines and that it may be unique for the species Zaire ebolavirusIMPORTANCE The Ebola virus (Zaire) species is the most lethal species of all ebolaviruses in terms of mortality rate and number of deaths. Understanding how the Ebola virus surface glycoprotein functions to facilitate entry in cells is an area of intense research. Recently, three groups independently identified a polymorphism in the Ebola glycoprotein (I544) that enhanced virus entry, but they did not agree in their conclusions regarding its impact on pathogenesis. Our findings here address the origins of this polymorphism and provide experimental evidence showing that it is the result of a spontaneous mutation (T544I) specific to tissue culture conditions, suggesting that it has no role in pathogenesis. We further show that this mutation may be unique to the species Zaire ebolavirus, as it does not occur in Sudan, Bundibugyo, and Tai Forest ebolaviruses. Understanding the mechanism behind this mutation can provide insight into functional differences that exist in culture conditions and among ebolavirus glycoproteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John B Ruedas
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jason T Ladner
- Center for Genome Sciences, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA
| | - Chelsea R Ettinger
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Suryaram Gummuluru
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gustavo Palacios
- Center for Genome Sciences, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA
| | - John H Connor
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Abstract
Reverse genetics systems encompass a wide array of tools aimed at recapitulating some or all of the virus life cycle. In their most complete form, full-length clone systems allow us to use plasmid-encoded versions of the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) components to initiate the transcription and replication of a plasmid-encoded version of the complete viral genome, thereby initiating the complete virus life cycle and resulting in infectious virus. As such this approach is ideal for the generation of tailor-made recombinant filoviruses, which can be used to study virus biology. In addition, the generation of tagged and particularly fluorescent or luminescent viruses can be applied as tools for both diagnostic applications and for screening to identify novel countermeasures. Here we describe the generation and basic characterization of recombinant Ebola viruses rescued from cloned cDNA using a T7-driven system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allison Groseth
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Hoenen T, Brandt J, Caì Y, Kuhn JH, Finch C. Reverse Genetics of Filoviruses. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2017; 411:421-445. [PMID: 28918537 DOI: 10.1007/82_2017_55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Reverse genetics systems are used for the generation of recombinant viruses. For filoviruses, this technology has been available for more than 15 years and has been used to investigate questions regarding the molecular biology, pathogenicity, and host adaptation determinants of these viruses. Further, reporter-expressing, recombinant viruses are increasingly used as tools for screening for and characterization of candidate medical countermeasures. Thus, reverse genetics systems represent powerful research tools. Here we provide an overview of available reverse genetics systems for the generation of recombinant filoviruses, potential applications, and the achievements that have been made using these systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hoenen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Janine Brandt
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Yíngyún Caì
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick (IRF-Frederick), Division of Clinical Research (DCR), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), B-8200 Research Plaza, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Jens H Kuhn
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick (IRF-Frederick), Division of Clinical Research (DCR), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), B-8200 Research Plaza, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
| | - Courtney Finch
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick (IRF-Frederick), Division of Clinical Research (DCR), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), B-8200 Research Plaza, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Abstract
Filoviruses are among the most pathogenic viruses known to man. Reverse genetics systems, in particular full-length clone systems, allow the generation of recombinant filoviruses, which can be used to study virus biology, but also for applied uses such as screening for countermeasures. Here we describe the generation of recombinant filoviruses from cDNA.
Collapse
|
24
|
Filovirus proteins for antiviral drug discovery: A structure/function analysis of surface glycoproteins and virus entry. Antiviral Res 2016; 135:1-14. [PMID: 27640102 PMCID: PMC7113884 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2016.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on the recent progress in our understanding of filovirus protein structure/function and its impact on antiviral research. Here we focus on the surface glycoprotein GP1,2 and its different roles in filovirus entry. We first describe the latest advances on the characterization of GP gene-overlapping proteins sGP, ssGP and Δ-peptide. Then, we compare filovirus surface GP1,2 proteins in terms of structure, synthesis and function. As they bear potential in drug-design, the discovery of small organic compounds inhibiting filovirus entry is a currently very active field. Although it is at an early stage, the development of antiviral drugs against Ebola and Marburg virus entry might prove essential to reduce outbreak-associated fatality rates through post-exposure treatment of both suspected and confirmed cases. The filovirus surface glycoprotein is the key player protein responsible for viral entry. Secreted forms of the glycoprotein have been suggested to participate to filovirus virus pathogenicity. Recent structural insights of the filovirus surface glycoprotein highlight new antiviral perspectives. Interesting compounds and innovative antiviral strategies emerge from research and development to inhibit filovirus entry.
Collapse
|
25
|
Banadyga L, Dolan MA, Ebihara H. Rodent-Adapted Filoviruses and the Molecular Basis of Pathogenesis. J Mol Biol 2016; 428:3449-66. [PMID: 27189922 PMCID: PMC5010511 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2016.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Ebola, Marburg, and Ravn viruses, all filoviruses, are the causative agents of severe hemorrhagic fever. Much of what we understand about the pathogenesis of filovirus disease is derived from work with animal models, including nonhuman primates, which are considered the "gold standard" filovirus model since they faithfully recapitulate the clinical hallmarks of filovirus disease. However, rodent models, including the mouse, guinea pig, and hamster, also exist for Ebola, Marburg, and Ravn viruses, and although they may not reproduce all the clinical signs of filovirus disease, thanks to their relative ease of use and low cost, they are often the first choice for initial descriptions of virus pathogenesis and evaluation of antiviral prophylactics and therapeutics. Since filoviruses do not cause significant disease in adult, immunocompetent rodents, these models rely on "rodent-adapted" viruses that have been passaged several times through their host until virulence and lethality are achieved. In the process of adaptation, the viruses acquire numerous nucleotide/amino acid mutations that contribute to virulence in their rodent host. Interestingly, virus protein 24 (VP24) and nucleoprotein (NP) appear to be major virulence factors for ebolaviruses in rodents, whereas VP40 appears to be the major virulence factor for marburgviruses. By characterizing these mutations and understanding the molecular mechanisms that lead to the acquisition of virulence, we can gain better insight into the pathogenic processes that underlie filovirus disease in humans. These processes, and the viral and/or cellular proteins that contribute to them, will make attractive targets for the development of novel therapeutics and counter-measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Logan Banadyga
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Michael A Dolan
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hideki Ebihara
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Chiramel AI, Dougherty JD, Nair V, Robertson SJ, Best SM. FAM134B, the Selective Autophagy Receptor for Endoplasmic Reticulum Turnover, Inhibits Replication of Ebola Virus Strains Makona and Mayinga. J Infect Dis 2016; 214:S319-S325. [PMID: 27511895 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiw270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective autophagy of the endoplasmic reticulum (termed ER-phagy) is controlled by members of the FAM134 reticulon protein family. Here we used mouse embryonic fibroblasts from mice deficient in FAM134B to examine the role of the ER in replication of historic (Mayinga) or contemporary (Makona GCO7) strains of Ebola virus (EBOV). Loss of FAM134B resulted in 1-2 log10 higher production of infectious EBOV, which was associated with increased production of viral proteins GP and VP40 and greater accumulation of nucleocaspid lattices. In addition, only 10% of wild-type cells contained detectable nucleoprotein, whereas knockout of FAM134B resulted in 80% of cells positive for nucleoprotein. Together, these data suggest that FAM134B-dependent ER-phagy is an important limiting event in EBOV replication in mouse cells and may have implications for further development of antiviral therapeutics and murine models of infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Vinod Nair
- Research Technologies Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, Montana
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Trefry JC, Wollen SE, Nasar F, Shamblin JD, Kern SJ, Bearss JJ, Jefferson MA, Chance TB, Kugelman JR, Ladner JT, Honko AN, Kobs DJ, Wending MQS, Sabourin CL, Pratt WD, Palacios GF, Pitt MLM. Ebola Virus Infections in Nonhuman Primates Are Temporally Influenced by Glycoprotein Poly-U Editing Site Populations in the Exposure Material. Viruses 2015; 7:6739-54. [PMID: 26703716 PMCID: PMC4690892 DOI: 10.3390/v7122969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Revised: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent experimentation with the variants of the Ebola virus that differ in the glycoprotein's poly-uridine site, which dictates the form of glycoprotein produced through a transcriptional stutter, has resulted in questions regarding the pathogenicity and lethality of the stocks used to develop products currently undergoing human clinical trials to combat the disease. In order to address these concerns and prevent the delay of these critical research programs, we designed an experiment that permitted us to intramuscularly challenge statistically significant numbers of naïve and vaccinated cynomolgus macaques with either a 7U or 8U variant of the Ebola virus, Kikwit isolate. In naïve animals, no difference in survivorship was observed; however, there was a significant delay in the disease course between the two groups. Significant differences were also observed in time-of-fever, serum chemistry, and hematology. In vaccinated animals, there was no statistical difference in survivorship between either challenge groups, with two succumbing in the 7U group compared to 1 in the 8U challenge group. In summary, survivorship was not affected, but the Ebola virus disease course in nonhuman primates is temporally influenced by glycoprotein poly-U editing site populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John C Trefry
- Virology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Suzanne E Wollen
- Virology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Farooq Nasar
- Virology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Joshua D Shamblin
- Virology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Steven J Kern
- Virology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Jeremy J Bearss
- Pathology Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Michelle A Jefferson
- Pathology Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Taylor B Chance
- Pathology Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Jeffery R Kugelman
- Molecular and Translational Sciences, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Jason T Ladner
- Molecular and Translational Sciences, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Anna N Honko
- Virology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Dean J Kobs
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave., Columbus, OH 43201, USA.
| | | | - Carol L Sabourin
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave., Columbus, OH 43201, USA.
| | - William D Pratt
- Virology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Gustavo F Palacios
- Molecular and Translational Sciences, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - M Louise M Pitt
- Virology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St., Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Development of a reverse genetics system to generate a recombinant Ebola virus Makona expressing a green fluorescent protein. Virology 2015; 484:259-264. [PMID: 26122472 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2015.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Revised: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated the potential application of reverse genetics technology in studying a broad range of aspects of viral biology, including gene regulation, protein function, cell entry, and pathogenesis. Here, we describe a highly efficient reverse genetics system used to generate recombinant Ebola virus (EBOV) based on a recent isolate from a human patient infected during the 2014-2015 outbreak in Western Africa. We also rescued a recombinant EBOV expressing a fluorescent reporter protein from a cleaved VP40 protein fusion. Using this virus and an inexpensive method to quantitate the expression of the foreign gene, we demonstrate its potential usefulness as a tool for screening antiviral compounds and measuring neutralizing antibodies.
Collapse
|
29
|
Hoenen T, Marzi A, Scott DP, Feldmann F, Callison J, Safronetz D, Ebihara H, Feldmann H. Soluble Glycoprotein Is Not Required for Ebola Virus Virulence in Guinea Pigs. J Infect Dis 2015; 212 Suppl 2:S242-6. [PMID: 25957965 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiv111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV) uses transcriptional editing to express several glycoproteins (GPs), including secreted soluble GP (sGP) and structural GP1,2, from a single gene. Recombinant viruses predominantly expressing GP1,2 are known to rapidly mutate and acquire an editing site predominantly expressing sGP in vivo, suggesting an important role of this protein during infection. Therefore, we generated a recombinant virus that is no longer able to express sGP and assessed its virulence in the EBOV guinea pig model. Surprisingly, although this virus remained genetically stable, it did not show any significant attenuation in vivo, showing that sGP is not required for virulence in this model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dana P Scott
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana
| | - Friederike Feldmann
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|