Immune correlates of postexposure vaccine protection against Marburg virus

Sci Rep. 2020 Feb 20;10(1):3071. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-59976-3.

Abstract

Postexposure immunization can prevent disease and reduce transmission following pathogen exposure. The rapid immunostimulatory properties of recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV)-based vaccines make them suitable postexposure treatments against the filoviruses Ebola virus and Marburg virus (MARV); however, the mechanisms that drive this protection are undefined. Previously, we reported 60-75% survival of rhesus macaques treated with rVSV vectors expressing MARV glycoprotein (GP) 20-30 minutes after a low dose exposure to the most pathogenic variant of MARV, Angola. Survival in this model was linked to production of GP-specific antibodies and lower viral load. To confirm these results and potentially identify novel correlates of postexposure protection, we performed a similar experiment, but analyzed plasma cytokine levels, frequencies of immune cell subsets, and the transcriptional response to infection in peripheral blood. In surviving macaques (80-89%), we observed induction of genes mapping to antiviral and interferon-related pathways early after treatment and a higher percentage of T helper 1 (Th1) and NK cells. In contrast, the response of non-surviving macaques was characterized by hypercytokinemia; a T helper 2 signature; recruitment of low HLA-DR expressing monocytes and regulatory T-cells; and transcription of immune checkpoint (e.g., PD-1, LAG3) genes. These results suggest dysregulated immunoregulation is associated with poor prognosis, whereas early innate signaling and Th1-skewed immunity are important for survival.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / biosynthesis
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Female
  • Inflammation / blood
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Interferons / genetics
  • Interferons / metabolism
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Macaca mulatta / immunology
  • Macaca mulatta / virology
  • Male
  • Marburg Virus Disease / blood
  • Marburg Virus Disease / genetics
  • Marburg Virus Disease / immunology*
  • Marburg Virus Disease / virology*
  • Marburgvirus / immunology*
  • Post-Exposure Prophylaxis*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Recombination, Genetic / genetics
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology
  • Transcriptome / genetics
  • Up-Regulation / genetics
  • Vesiculovirus / genetics
  • Viral Load / immunology
  • Viral Vaccines / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Cytokines
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Viral Vaccines
  • Interferons