Optimization of Assays to Assess Dendritic Cell Activation and/or Energy in Ebola Infection

: The immune responses during lethal filovirus infection and the correlates of protective immunity in vaccinated macaques are not well understood. This study sought to develop assays that can predict protection with the various vaccine platforms designed to provide immunity to filovirus (Ebolavirus (EBOV) and Marburgvirus (MARV)) infection. A secondary aim was to better understand the aspects of virus on the immune response in animals that receive no intervention. As part of these efforts, we (Task 1) profiled the functional and phenotypic status of immune cells in Ebola virus (EBOV)-infected non-human primates and (Task 2) developed assays to assess virus-interactions with antigen presenting cells with the view that these interactions will influence the immune dysregulation that occurs during EBOV infection and sought to identify strategies to overcome virus-induced immune dysregulation. The latter work focused on macrophages and dendritic cells, which are important targets of Ebola viruses in vivo and are thought to mediate dysregulated immunity during infection in vivo.