Ebola Vaccine Shows Promise in Mice

Researchers have created a vaccine that completely protects mice against the deadly Ebola virus. The vaccine uses proteins called virus-like particles (VLP) that stimulate the body to mount an immune attack against Ebola.

Researchers have created a vaccine that completely protects mice against the deadly Ebola virus. The vaccine uses proteins called virus-like particles (VLP) that stimulate the body to mount an immune attack against Ebola. Infection with Ebola virus carries a death rate of up to 80%. Although only natural outbreaks have occurred thus far, it is conceivable, especially in today’s volatile world, that the virus could one day be used as a biological warfare agent. Despite the obvious need for protection, efforts to generate an Ebola vaccine have met with limited success. “Our data suggest that Ebola VLPs may represent a promising vaccine candidate for protection against Ebola virus infections and a much needed tool to examine the genesis and nature of immune responses to Ebola virus,” note senior author Dr. Sina Bavari, from the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease in Frederick, Maryland, and colleagues. Ebola VLPs are produced when certain viral proteins are expressed together in animal cells. This produces particles that have much of the outer shell of the Ebola virus but none of the working innards. In previous studies, vaccination with similar particles has proven effective in protecting against several viruses, including HIV. In the current study, reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Bavari’s team tested the effects of VLPs in the lab and in mice. Treatment with VLPs caused the activation of certain immune cells and induced antibodies against the Ebola virus. Most importantly, vaccinated animals were protected against lethal infection with the virus. “This article provides the groundwork for future studies to evaluate the efficacy of VLPs” against Ebola in monkeys, the investigators conclude. (Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, December 8th early edition, MEDLINE Plus, Reuters Health Dec 2003)