Treatment with Ad5-Porcine Interferon-α Attenuates Ebolavirus Disease in Pigs

Under experimental conditions, pigs infected with Ebola Virus (EBOV) develop disease and can readily transmit the virus to non-human primates or pigs. In the event of accidental or intentional EBOV infection of domestic pigs, complex and time-consuming safe depopulation and carcass disposal are expected. Delaying or preventing transmission through a reduction in viral shedding is an absolute necessity to limit the spread of the virus. In this study, we tested whether porcine interferon-alpha or lambda 3 (porIFN alpha or porIFN lambda 3) delivered by a replication-defective human type 5 adenovirus vector (Ad5-porIFN alpha or Ad5-porIFN lambda 3) could limit EBOV replication and shedding in domestic pigs. Our results show that pigs pre-treated with Ad5-porIFN alpha did not develop measurable clinical signs, did not shed virus RNA, and displayed strongly reduced viral RNA load in tissues. A microarray analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells indicated that Ad5-porIFN alpha treatment led to clear upregulation in immune and inflammatory responses probably involved in protection against disease. Our results indicate that administration of Ad5-porIFN alpha can potentially be used to limit the spread of EBOV in pigs.

Automated summary

This study tested the use of a specific viral vector to deliver porcine interferon and limit Ebola virus replication and shedding in pigs. The results showed that treated pigs did not develop clinical symptoms, had reduced viral load and shedding, and displayed an upregulation of immune and inflammatory responses. This treatment approach has the potential to limit the spread of Ebola virus in pigs.