1. Long-term Sudan Virus Ebola Survivors Maintain Multiple Antiviral Defense Mechanisms.
- Author
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Sobarzo, Ariel, Moné, Yves, Lang, Steven, Gelkop, Sigal, Brangel, Polina, Kuehne, Ana I, McKendry, Rachel A, Mell, Joshua Chang, Ahmed, Azad, Davis, Claytus, Dye, John M, Lutwama, Julius Julian, Lobel, Leslie, Veas, Francisco, and Ehrlich, Garth D
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MONONUCLEAR leukocytes ,IMMUNOLOGIC memory ,IMMUNE response ,EBOLA virus ,NATURAL immunity - Abstract
Background The critical issues of sustained memory immunity following ebolavirus disease among long-term survivors are still unclear. Methods Here, we examine virus-specific immune and inflammatory responses following in vitro challengd in 12 Sudan virus (SUDV) long-term survivors from Uganda's 2000–2001 Gulu outbreak, 15 years after recovery. Total RNA from isolated SUDV-stimulated and unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells was extracted and analyzed. Matched serum samples were also collected to determine SUDV IgG levels and functionality. Results We detected persistent humoral (58%, 7 of 12) and cellular (33%, 4 of 12) immune responses in SUDV long-term survivors and identified critical molecular mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity. Gene expression in immune pathways, the interferon signaling system, antiviral defense response, and activation and regulation of T- and B-cell responses were observed. SUDV long-term survivors also maintained robust virus-specific IgG antibodies capable of polyfunctional responses, including neutralizing and innate Fc effector functions. Conclusions Data integration identified significant correlations among humoral and cellular immune responses and pinpointed a specific innate and adaptive gene expression signature associated with long-lasting immunity. This could help identify natural and vaccine correlates of protection against ebolavirus disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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