The numbers of CD4+ T cells remained at nadir levels until 1 wk before challenge and likely beyond (Fig
The numbers of CD4+ T cells remained at nadir levels until 1 wk before challenge and likely beyond (Fig. were depleted of CD4+ T, CD8+ T, or CD20+ B cells before and Rhein (Monorhein) during vaccination with rVSV/ZEBOV-GP. Regrettably, CD20-depleted animals generated a strong IgG response. Therefore, an additional group of vaccinated animals were depleted of CD4+ T cells during challenge. All animals were subsequently challenged with a lethal dose of ZEBOV. Animals depleted of CD8+ T cells survived, suggesting a minimal role for CD8+ T cells in vaccine-mediated protection. Depletion of CD4+ T cells during vaccination caused a complete loss of glycoprotein-specific antibodies and abrogated vaccine protection. In contrast, depletion of CD4+ T cells during challenge resulted in survival of the animals, indicating a minimal role for CD4+ T-cell immunity in Mouse monoclonal to CDH2 rVSV-mediated protection. Our results suggest that antibodies play a critical role in rVSV-mediated protection against ZEBOV. Ebola viruses (EBOVs) are enveloped, unfavorable single-stranded RNA viruses with a genome of 19 kb in size that belong to the family. You will find five species of EBOV: (ZEBOV), (SEBOV), (BEBOV), (CIEBOV), and (REBOV). The species vary in their pathogenicity, with ZEBOV being most pathogenic (up to 90% case fatality), followed by SEBOV and BEBOV, with up to 50%. CIEBOV and REBOV have been shown to be lethal in nonhuman primates (NHPs), but only CIEBOV has been associated with one severe human case so far (1, 2). Currently, Old World macaques, notably cynomolgus and rhesus macaques, are the platinum standard animal model for studying ZEBOV pathogenesis and screening vaccines and therapeutics. Both macaque species are highly susceptible to ZEBOV, with development of viral hemorrhagic fever and 100% lethality (3). Although there is no licensed vaccine or treatment available for EBOV infections, a number of vaccine platforms have proven to be efficacious in nonhuman primate challenge studies. These platforms include DNA, recombinant adenovirus (rAd) (alone or in combination with DNA primary), virus-like particles (VLPs), human parainfluenza computer virus 3, and recombinant vesicular stomatitis computer virus (rVSV) (4). Most of these vaccines express the ZEBOV glycoprotein (GP) as the immunogen. The rVSV approach has proven to be among the most encouraging vaccine platforms for ZEBOV. The rVSV vectors are based on a reverse genetics system for VSV serotype Indiana (5) and have also been used to develop immunization strategies against other viruses, like influenza computer virus (6) and simian/HIV (SHIV) (7). One dose of this vaccine can Rhein (Monorhein) successfully safeguard rodents and nonhuman primates from lethal ZEBOV contamination (8, 9). Additionally, a single dose of this Rhein (Monorhein) vaccine confers partial protection postexposure in immunocompetent rodents and nonhuman primates as well as preexposure in immunocompromised SHIV-infected rhesus macaques against lethal ZEBOV challenge (10C12). Little is known about the mechanisms of protection of the rVSV vectors against ZEBOV contamination, although it appears that both cellular and humoral immune responses are required in the nonhuman primate contamination model. In this study, we investigated the role of CD4+ T-cell, CD8+ T-cell, or CD20+ B-cell responses in conferring protection following vaccination with rVSV/ZEBOV-GP. To that end, we depleted these cell populations using Rhein (Monorhein) monoclonal antibodies before and during the vaccination period with rVSV/ZEBOV-GP. Following depletions, we characterized the cellular and humoral response against ZEBOV-GP in vaccinated animals. Cellular responses were very low in all of the groups including the nondepleted animals. Interestingly, with the exception of the CD4+ T-cellCdepleted group, all of the animals developed a ZEBOV-GPCspecific IgG response. This included the CD20+ B-cellCdepleted animals, suggesting that we were unable to completely eliminate the B cells in this group. More importantly, only the CD4-depleted animals succumbed to ZEBOV contamination. To confirm that antibodies and not effector CD4+ T cells are critical for protection, additional animals were vaccinated and depleted of CD4+ T cells prior and during challenge with ZEBOV. These animals survived the infection, strengthening our conclusion that antibodies play a critical role in the protection mediated by the rVSV/ZEBOV-GP vaccine against lethal ZEBOV challenge. Results Depletion Efficacy. To identify the immune mechanisms of protection provided by the rVSV/ZEBOV-GP vaccine against lethal ZEBOV challenge, 20 cynomolgus macaques were divided into five groups: NHP1-4 rVSV/Marburg computer virus (MARV)-GP (unfavorable control); NHP5-8 rVSV/ZEBOV-GP (positive control); NHP9-12 rVSV/ZEBOV-GP CD4+ T cell depleted; NHP13-16 rVSV/ZEBOV-GP CD8+ T cell depleted; and NHP17-20 rVSV/ZEBOV-GP CD20+ B cell depleted. One of the animals in the CD20 depletion group experienced an unexpected reaction to Rituximab during one depletion session and was humanely euthanized, leaving three animals in this group. T- and B-cell depletion regimens were initiated 7 d before.