Intracellular Events and Cell Fate in Filovirus Infection

• Main Authors: Elena Ryabchikova, Ronald B. Corley, Elke Mühlberger, Judith Olejnik
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2011-08-01
• Series: Viruses
• Subjects: Ebola Virus; Marburg Virus; filoviruses; viral replication cycle; target cells; animal models; ultrastructural analysis; virus-cell interaction; bystander apoptosis; cell death
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/3/8/1501/

Marburg and Ebola viruses cause a severe hemorrhagic disease in humans with high fatality rates. Early target cells of filoviruses are monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. The infection spreads to the liver, spleen and later other organs by blood and lymph flow. A hallmark of filovirus infection is the depletion of non-infected lymphocytes; however, the molecular mechanisms leading to the observed bystander lymphocyte apoptosis are poorly understood. Also, there is limited knowledge about the fate of infected cells in filovirus disease. In this review we will explore what is known about the intracellular events leading to virus amplification and cell damage in filovirus infection. Furthermore, we will discuss how cellular dysfunction and cell death may correlate with disease pathogenesis.