Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How can Ebola virus interfere with the immune system?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Ebola
Numerous filamentous ebolavirus particles (blue) budding from a chronically-infected VERO E6 cell (yellow-green) in this digitally colorized scanning electron micrograph produced by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
The Ebola virus interferes with the immune system through several mechanisms that facilitate uncontrolled viral replication and severe tissue damage.12
Key methods of immune interference include:
- Suppression of Immune Cells: The virus is known to exert suppressive effects on the maturation of dendritic cells, which are critical for initiating an effective immune response.2
- Lymphocyte Depletion: Ebola causes a catastrophic loss of lymphocytes through apoptosis, or programmed cell death.2
- Protein Production: It has been postulated that the virus produces specific proteins that suppress the immune system, allowing the virus to reproduce unhindered.1
These actions prevent the body from mounting an effective defense, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory molecules and substances that damage blood vessels. This process ultimately contributes to the extensive tissue injury and hemorrhaging characteristic of Ebola virus disease.2