title: Characterization of host immune responses in Ebola virus infections.
abstract: Ebola causes highly lethal hemorrhagic fever in humans with no licensed countermeasures. Its virulence can be attributed to several immunoevasion mechanisms: an early inhibition of innate immunity started by the downregulation of type I interferon, epitope masking and subversion of the adaptive humoural immunity by secreting a truncated form of the viral glycoprotein. Deficiencies in specific and non-specific antiviral responses result in unrestricted viral replication and dissemination in the host, causing death typically within 10 days after the appearance of symptoms. This review summarizes the host immune response to Ebola infection, and highlights the short- and long-term immune responses crucial for protection, which holds implications for the design of future vaccines and therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, 1015 Arlington Street Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2 Canada.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Gary P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Kobinger
authors.forename: Xiangguo
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qiu
mesh_terms: D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000276:immunology*; D046129:Ebola Vaccines / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D029043:Ebolavirus / Q000276:immunology*; D019142:Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D057131:Immune Evasion; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D046129:Ebola Vaccines; D007370:Interferon Type I
keywords: Ebola; adaptive immunity; antigenic subversion; immunoevasion; innate immunity; long-term immunity; secreted glycoprotein; type I IFN