Gene-Specific Countermeasures against Ebola Virus Based on Antisense Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomers

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0020001
• Publication Date: 2006-01-11T16:41:34Z
• Authors: Kelly L Warfield; Dana L Swenson; Gene G Olinger; Donald K Nichols; William D Pratt; Robert Blouch; David A Stein; M. Javad Aman; Patrick L Iversen; Sina Bavari
• Keywords: Ebolavirus; Morpholino; Druggability; Favipiravir

The filoviruses Marburg virus and Ebola (EBOV) quickly outpace host immune responses cause hemorrhagic fever, resulting in case fatality rates as high 90% humans nearly 100% nonhuman primates. development of an effective therapeutic for EBOV is a daunting public health challenge hampered by paucity knowledge regarding filovirus pathogenesis. This report describes successful strategy interfering with infection using antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs). A combination EBOV-specific PMOs targeting sequences viral mRNAs the proteins (VPs) VP24, VP35, RNA polymerase L protected rodents both pre- post-exposure regimens. In prophylactic proof-of-principal trial, also 75% rhesus macaques from lethal infection. work described here may contribute to designer, "druggable" countermeasures other microbial pathogens.