Ebola Virus Binding to Tim-1 on T Lymphocytes Induces a Cytokine Storm
Open Access
- 8 November 2017
- journal article
- Published by American Society for Microbiology in mBio
- Vol. 8 (5), e00845-17
- https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.00845-17
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV) disease (EVD) results from an exacerbated immunological response that is highlighted by a burst in the production of inflammatory mediators known as a “cytokine storm.” Previous reports have suggested that nonspecific activation of T lymphocytes may play a central role in this phenomenon. T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 1 (Tim-1) has recently been shown to interact with virion-associated phosphatidylserine to promote infection. Here, we demonstrate the central role of Tim-1 in EBOV pathogenesis, as Tim-1−/− mice exhibited increased survival rates and reduced disease severity; surprisingly, only a limited decrease in viremia was detected. Tim-1−/− mice exhibited a modified inflammatory response as evidenced by changes in serum cytokines and activation of T helper subsets. A series of in vitro assays based on the Tim-1 expression profile on T cells demonstrated that despite the apparent absence of detectable viral replication in T lymphocytes, EBOV directly binds to isolated T lymphocytes in a phosphatidylserine–Tim-1-dependent manner. Exposure to EBOV resulted in the rapid development of a CD4Hi CD3Low population, non-antigen-specific activation, and cytokine production. Transcriptome and Western blot analysis of EBOV-stimulated CD4+ T cells confirmed the induction of the Tim-1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, comparative analysis of transcriptome data and cytokine/chemokine analysis of supernatants highlight the similarities associated with EBOV-stimulated T cells and the onset of a cytokine storm. Flow cytometry revealed virtually exclusive binding and activation of central memory CD4+ T cells. These findings provide evidence for the role of Tim-1 in the induction of a cytokine storm phenomenon and the pathogenesis of EVD.Funding Information
- HHS | National Institutes of Health (P51OD010425)
- HHS | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (U19 AI109945-01)
- HHS | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (1R01AI102887-01A1)
This publication has 78 references indexed in Scilit:
- Treatment of Ebola Virus DiseasePharmacotherapy: The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy, 2015
- Regulation and dysregulation of innate immunity by NFAT signaling downstream of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs)European Journal of Immunology, 2012
- Tim-1 regulates Th2 responses in an airway hypersensitivity modelEuropean Journal of Immunology, 2011
- Aerosol exposure to Zaire ebolavirus in three nonhuman primate species: differences in disease course and clinical pathologyMicrobes and Infection, 2011
- Innate immune responses to influenza A H5N1: friend or foe?Trends in Immunology, 2009
- Tim-1 Signaling Substitutes for Conventional Signal 1 and Requires Costimulation to Induce T Cell ProliferationThe Journal of Immunology, 2009
- TIM-1 induces T cell activation and inhibits the development of peripheral toleranceNature Immunology, 2005
- Cutting Edge: Impairment of Dendritic Cells and Adaptive Immunity by Ebola and Lassa VirusesThe Journal of Immunology, 2003
- Apoptosis in fatal Ebola infection. Does the virus toll the bell for immune system?Apoptosis, 2000
- Protein kinase B (c-Akt) in phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase signal transductionNature, 1995