“My SPARK project will investigate the blood of individuals who have likely survived multiple exposures to Ebola and Marburg viruses throughout their lifetimes, as their blood may contain crucial insights for developing broad-spectrum viral treatments and enhance our understanding of these unpredictable outbreaks.”
Does the blood of Ebola and Marburg virus survivors hold secrets to life-saving therapeutics?
Ebola and Marburg viruses are among the deadliest pathogens known, with outbreaks occurring almost yearly in Western and Central Africa. As members of the Filovirus family, six ebolaviruses and two marburgviruses are capable of causing severe diseases in humans, yet they emerge unpredictably, often with little warning. Although they share similar clinical symptoms, there are significant differences in their surface glycoproteins—the viral molecules that are key targets for immune cells. These molecular differences complicate vaccine development. Antibodies effective against one virus frequently fail to neutralize others, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies.
With SPARK funding, I aim to identify one or more broadly neutralizing antibodies that can effectively treat a diverse range of co-circulating filoviral infections. I will characterize the humoral immune responses of individuals who have likely been repeatedly exposed to these viruses over their lifetimes. A compelling case study involves a 90-year-old man who has spent 70 years as a janitor in the same rural hospital where Ebola was first identified in 1976. His blood demonstrates substantial immune responses against all eight known filoviruses, providing invaluable insights into long-lasting immunity.
By focusing on populations with extensive exposure to filoviruses, my research increases the likelihood of discovering potent therapeutic candidates. Unlike previous studies that centered on single infections, my approach prioritizes those with repeated exposure. Therapeutic antibodies will provide emergency treatments for local communities, medical workers, and travelers and offer a versatile, off-the-shelf solution against both known and emerging filoviruses. Ultimately, my project seeks to enhance our understanding of immune responses to filoviruses and develop effective treatments that could save lives.