Multiplication of defective Ebola virus in a complementary permissive cell line

Ebola virus (EBOV) causes haemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates with high morbidity and fatality. The small molecule drugs are not available until this time, even though two antibody-based drugs are available. By using altered DNA to create counterfeit EBOV, reverse genetics technology enables the study of the viral structure and operation and enable the development of EBOV antiviral agent identification. In this study, a recombinant Ebola virus that has the glycoprotein (GP) gene replaced with Cre recombinase (Cre) gene was generated using reverse genetic system. The recombinant virus, upon infection in a complementary permissive cell line, can multiply itself and produce reporter protein and GP in the presence of exogenous Cre. The design of this recombinant virus has several significant benefits. The Cre gene embedded in the viral genome is crucial for the recombinant virus life cycle, immunity responses are not affected by the recombinant virus infection, it could be utilized to infect the Cre-reporting animals, and it has the identical component to wild type virus. Consequently, this recombinant virus is an ideal resource to develop a diagnostic tools and procedures, vaccine, and the manufacturing of antiviral agents. It could also be used to observe the virus-host interactome and further, the design could be adapted for other viruses.

(MA)