# Elucidating mechanisms of interferon gamma that protect against Ebola virus infection

> **NIH NIH UH2** · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · 2022 · $231,750

## Abstract

Abstract
Filovirus outbreaks/epidemics occur sporadically, but with increasing frequency and intensity.
With no current approved filovirus therapeutics, the recent Ebola virus (EBOV) outbreaks
emphasize the need for effective treatments against this highly pathogenic family of viruses. A
better mechanistic understanding of effective early immune responses to EBOV will identify
potential immunological approaches for controlling this infection and associated disease.
Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) elicits production of antiviral proteins that control of virus replication
and stimulates and activates cellular immune responses. In a series of recent studies, we
demonstrated that IFN-γ profoundly inhibits EBOV infection of macrophages, an important early
cellular target for the virus. We also showed that IFN-γ protects mice from EBOV challenge
when mice were treated 24 hours prior to or after infection. These findings provide evidence that
the immune responses elicited following IFN-γ stimulation effectively control EBOV infection and
disease. Here, we will explore the contribution of both innate and cellular immunity to IFN-γ-
mediated protection. In total, studies proposed here will provide critical mechanistic insights into
the efficacy of this immune pathway to control filovirus infections.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10539126
- **Project number:** 1UH2AI169710-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- **Principal Investigator:** Wendy Jean Maury
- **Activity code:** UH2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $231,750
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-02 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10539126

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10539126, Elucidating mechanisms of interferon gamma that protect against Ebola virus infection (1UH2AI169710-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10539126. Licensed CC0.

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