AI Article Synopsis
- Biological factors determining the host range and spillover of Ebola virus (EBOV) and other filoviruses are still not well understood.
- Research shows that African straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) are resistant to EBOV due to a specific amino acid change in the NPC1 receptor, which weakens the virus's ability to bind to the receptor.
- The study identifies the NPC1 receptor as a key genetic factor influencing filovirus susceptibility in bats, indicating that some variations in NPC1 may help bats adapt and reduce the severity of filovirus infections.
Article Abstract
Biological factors that influence the host range and spillover of Ebola virus (EBOV) and other filoviruses remain enigmatic. While filoviruses infect diverse mammalian cell lines, we report that cells from African straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) are refractory to EBOV infection. This could be explained by a single amino acid change in the filovirus receptor, NPC1, which greatly reduces the affinity of EBOV-NPC1 interaction. We found signatures of positive selection in bat NPC1 concentrated at the virus-receptor interface, with the strongest signal at the same residue that controls EBOV infection in Eidolon helvum cells. Our work identifies NPC1 as a genetic determinant of filovirus susceptibility in bats, and suggests that some NPC1 variations reflect host adaptations to reduce filovirus replication and virulence. A single viral mutation afforded escape from receptor control, revealing a pathway for compensatory viral evolution and a potential avenue for expansion of filovirus host range in nature.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4709267 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.11785 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Multiple cell types support productive infection and dynamic translocation of infectious Ebola virus to the surface of human skin.
Sci Adv
January 2025
Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
Ebola virus (EBOV) causes severe human disease. During late infection, EBOV virions are on the skin's surface; however, the permissive skin cell types and the route of virus translocation to the epidermal surface are unknown. We describe a human skin explant model and demonstrate that EBOV infection of human skin via basal media increases in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRapid Development of Small Rodent Animal Models for Infectious Disease Research Through Vectorized Receptor Molecule Expression.
Viruses
November 2024
Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
The emergence and re-emergence of pathogens with pandemic potential has been a persistent issue throughout history. Recent decades have seen significant outbreaks of zoonotic viruses from members of the , , , , and families, resulting in widespread infections. The continual emergence of zoonotic viral pathogens and associated infections highlights the need for prevention strategies and effective treatments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNano-Biomechanical Investigation of Phosphatidylserine-Mediated Ebola Viral Attachment via Human Gas6 and Axl.
Viruses
October 2024
Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA.
The Ebola virus is a deadly pathogen that has been threatening public health for decades. Recent studies have revealed alternative viral invasion routes where Ebola virus approaches cells via interactions among phosphatidylserine (PS), PS binding ligands such as Gas6, and TAM family receptors such as Axl. In this study, we investigate the interactions among phosphatidylserine on the Ebola viral-like particle (VLP) membrane, human Gas6, and human Axl using atomic force microscope-based single molecule force spectroscopy to compare their binding strength and affinity from a biomechanical perspective.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEfficacy of Polyphenylene Carboxymethylene (PPCM) Gel at Protecting Type I Interferon Receptors Knockout Mice from Intravaginal Ebola Virus Challenge.
Viruses
October 2024
Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
Ebola virus (EBOV) is one of three filovirus members of the genus that can cause severe Ebola disease (EBOD) in humans. Transmission predominantly occurs from spillover events from wildlife but has also happened between humans with infected bodily fluids. Specifically, the sexual route through infectious male survivors could be the origin of flare up events leading to the deaths of multiple women.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn Vivo Investigation of Filovirus Glycoprotein-Mediated Infection in a BSL2 Setting.
Methods Mol Biol
November 2024
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Article Synopsis
- Filoviruses, like Ebola virus (EBOV), cause filovirus disease (FVD) and pose significant global health threats, but studying them has been challenging due to safety restrictions.
- A new research tool involving a modified vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV-filo GP) allows researchers to safely explore the interactions and immune responses related to filovirus infections outside high-security labs.
- The study utilizes interferon α/β receptor-deficient (Ifnar) mice to examine different methods of infection and disease progression, providing a cost-effective and manageable way to advance filovirus research.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!