Multiple viral proteins and immune response pathways act to generate robust long-term immunity in Sudan virus survivorsResearch in context
Ariel Sobarzo,
Spencer W. Stonier,
Olga Radinsky,
Sigal Gelkop,
Ana I. Kuehne,
Avishay Edri,
Andrew S. Herbert,
Shlomit Fedida-Metula,
Julius Julian Lutwama,
Victoria Yavelsky,
Claytus Davis,
Angel Porgador,
John M. Dye,
Leslie Lobel
Affiliations
Ariel Sobarzo
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel; Correspondence to: A. Sobarzo, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
Spencer W. Stonier
US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St, Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5011, USA
Olga Radinsky
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
Sigal Gelkop
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
Ana I. Kuehne
US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St, Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5011, USA
Avishay Edri
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
Andrew S. Herbert
US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St, Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5011, USA
Shlomit Fedida-Metula
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
Julius Julian Lutwama
Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-Emerging Infection Uganda Virus Research Institute, Plot No: 51 -59, Nakiwogo Road, P.O.Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
Victoria Yavelsky
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel; Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-Emerging Infection Uganda Virus Research Institute, Plot No: 51 -59, Nakiwogo Road, P.O.Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
Claytus Davis
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
Angel Porgador
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
John M. Dye
US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St, Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5011, USA; Correspondence to: J.M. Dye, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St, Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5011, USA.
Leslie Lobel
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel; Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-Emerging Infection Uganda Virus Research Institute, Plot No: 51 -59, Nakiwogo Road, P.O.Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
Background: Profiles of immunity developed in filovirus patients and survivors have begun to shed light on antigen-specific cellular immune responses that had been previously under-studied. However, our knowledge of the breadth and length of those responses and the viral targets which mediate long-term memory immunity still lags significantly behind. Methods: We characterized antigen-specific immune responses in whole blood samples of fifteen years post-infected survivors of the Sudan virus (SUDV) outbreak in Gulu, Uganda (2000−2001). We examined T cell and IgG responses against SUDV complete antigen and four SUDV proteins; glycoprotein (GP), nucleoprotein (NP), and viral protein 30 (VP30), and 40 (VP40). Findings: We found survivors-maintained antigen-specific CD4+ T cell memory immune responses mediated mainly by the viral protein NP. In contrast, activated CD8+ T cell responses were nearly absent in SUDV survivors, regardless of the stimulating antigen used. Analysis of anti-viral humoral immunity revealed antigen-specific IgG antibodies against SUDV and SUDV proteins. Survivor IgGs mediated live SUDV neutralization in vitro and FcγRI and FcγRIII antibody Fc-dependent responses, mainly via antibodies to the viral proteins GP and VP40. Interpretation: We highlight the key role of several proteins, i.e., GP, NP, and VP40, to act as mediators of distinctive and sustained cellular memory immune responses in long-term SUDV survivors. We suggest that the inclusion of these viral proteins in vaccine development may best mimic survivor native memory immune responses with the potential of protecting against viral infection. Funds: This research was funded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (CB4088) and by the National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R01AI111516. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Keywords: Sudan virus, Antigen-specific memory immunity, Long-term survivors
