1. Ebola virus-induced eye sequelae: a murine model for evaluating glycoprotein-targeting therapeuticsResearch in context
- Author
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Ha-Na Lee, Biying Xu, Aaron P. Lewkowicz, Kaliroi Engel, Logan Kelley-Baker, Ian L. McWilliams, Derek D.C. Ireland, Jennifer L. Kielczewski, Jinbo Li, Robert N. Fariss, Mercedes M. Campos, Alina Baum, Christos Kyratsous, Kristen Pascal, Chi-Chao Chan, Rachel R. Caspi, Mohanraj Manangeeswaran, and Daniela Verthelyi
- Subjects
Ebola virus (EBOV) ,EBOV glycoprotein (EBOV-GP) ,EBOV-GP pseudotyped vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV-EBOV) ,BSL-2 model ,Anti-EBOV-GP antibodies ,Retinitis ,Medicine ,Medicine (General) ,R5-920 - Abstract
Summary: Background: Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors experience ocular sequelae including retinal lesions, cataracts, and vision loss. While monoclonal antibodies targeting the Ebola virus glycoprotein (EBOV-GP) have shown promise in improving prognosis, their effectiveness in mitigating ocular sequelae remains uncertain. Methods: We developed and characterized a BSL-2-compatible immunocompetent mouse model to evaluate therapeutics targeting EBOV-GP by inoculating neonatal mice with vesicular stomatitis virus expressing EBOV-GP (VSV-EBOV). To examine the impact of anti-EBOV-GP antibody treatment on acute retinitis and ocular sequelae, VSV-EBOV-infected mice were treated with polyclonal antibodies or monoclonal antibody preparations with antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC-mAb) or neutralizing activity (NEUT-mAb). Findings: Treatment with all anti-EBOV-GP antibodies tested dramatically reduced viremia and improved survival. Further, all treatments reduced the incidence of cataracts. However, NEUT-mAb alone or in combination with ADCC-mAb reduced viral load in the eyes, downregulated the ocular immune and inflammatory responses, and minimized retinal damage more effectively. Interpretation: Anti-EBOV-GP antibodies can improve survival among EVD patients, but improved therapeutics are needed to reduce life altering sequelae. This animal model offers a new platform to examine the acute and long-term effect of the virus in the eye and the relative impact of therapeutic candidates targeting EBOV-GP. Results indicate that even antibodies that improve systemic viral clearance and survival can differ in their capacity to reduce acute ocular inflammation, and long-term retinal pathology and corneal degeneration. Funding: This study was partly supported by Postgraduate Research Fellowship Awards from ORISE through an interagency agreement between the US DOE and the US FDA.
- Published
- 2024
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