Source data behind Figs 1–5 and S1–S2 Figs.

Ebola virus (EBOV) is likely a zoonotic and re-emerging virus that causes severe outbreaks of Ebola virus disease. The virus spreads to various tissues during the late stage of infection and has been detected in immune-privileged sites of survivors. However, the mechanism of how EBOV disseminates throughout the body is not completely elucidated. In this study, by using a biologically contained EBOVΔVP30 system, we demonstrate that a megakaryocytic-like MEG-01 cell line that stably expresses VP30 (MEG-01 VP30 cells) is susceptible to EBOVΔVP30 infection and that MEG-01 VP30 cells exposed to EBOVΔVP30 produce platelet-like particles (PLPs) that contain EBOV proteins and viral genetic material. We further found that the viral envelope glycoprotein is expressed on the surface of the produced PLPs and contributes to PLP internalization into recipient cells. In addition, viral mRNA and genome RNA are actively synthesized in these PLPs, which may lead to progeny EBOV production from recipient cells that internalize the PLPs. Taken together, our data provide new insights into the potential role of platelets in the widespread dissemination of EBOV and the pathogenesis of Ebola virus disease.

埃博拉病毒（Ebola virus, EBOV）是一类潜在的人畜共患复现病毒，可引发埃博拉病毒病的严重暴发疫情。该病毒会在感染晚期播散至全身多种组织，且已在幸存者的免疫豁免部位中被检出。然而，埃博拉病毒在体内的全身播散机制尚未完全阐明。
本研究借助经生物安全管控的EBOVΔVP30实验体系，证实稳定表达VP30的巨核细胞样MEG-01细胞系（即MEG-01 VP30细胞）对EBOVΔVP30感染易感；且暴露于EBOVΔVP30的MEG-01 VP30细胞可产生携带埃博拉病毒蛋白与病毒遗传物质的血小板样颗粒（platelet-like particles, PLPs）。
研究进一步发现，所产生的PLPs表面表达病毒包膜糖蛋白，且该蛋白可介导PLPs被受体细胞内化。此外，这些PLPs中可活跃合成病毒mRNA与基因组RNA，这或许会使得内化PLPs的受体细胞产生子代埃博拉病毒。
综上，本研究数据为血小板在埃博拉病毒全身播散及埃博拉病毒病发病机制中的潜在作用提供了全新的研究见解。