Sustained protection against Ebola virus infection following treatment of infected nonhuman primates with ZMAb

Sci Rep. 2013 Nov 28:3:3365. doi: 10.1038/srep03365.

Abstract

Ebola virus (EBOV) is one of the most lethal filoviruses, with mortality rates of up to 90% in humans. Previously, we demonstrated 100% and 50% survival of EBOV-infected cynomologus macaques with a combination of 3 EBOV-GP-specific monoclonal antibodies (ZMAb) administered at 24 or 48 hours post-exposure, respectively. The survivors demonstrated EBOV-GP-specific humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. In order to evaluate whether the immune response induced in NHPs during the ZMAb treatment and EBOV challenge is sufficient to protect survivors against a subsequent exposure, animals that survived the initial challenge were rechallenged at 10 or 13 weeks after the initial challenge. The animals rechallenged at 10 weeks all survived whereas 4 of 6 animals survived a rechallenge at 13 weeks. The data indicate that a robust immune response was generated during the successful treatment of EBOV-infected NHPs with EBOV, which resulted in sustained protection against a second lethal exposure.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Ebolavirus / immunology*
  • Female
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / drug therapy*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / immunology*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / virology
  • Immunity, Cellular / immunology
  • Immunologic Memory / immunology
  • Macaca fascicularis
  • Male
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Cytokines
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • envelope glycoprotein, Ebola virus