Gene expression of cells infected with Ebola virus

The purpose of this project was to determine changes in gene expression in Leydig cell tissue cultures and Sertoli cell tissue cultures infected with Ebola virus. Infected and control tissue culture samples were collected longitudinally up to 28 days post infection. As we had previously observed that Ebola virus replication proceeds at a lower rate in Sertoli cell tissue cultures, we were particularly interested in identifying changes in gene expression that may limit the Ebola virus life cycle in these cells. This is relevant because Ebola virus genomic material is often detected in semen samples from male Ebola virus disease survivors months or years after recovery. These observations coincide with cases of sexual transmission of Ebola virus from EVD survivors, most likely as a result of persistent infections. However, the mechanisms by which Ebola virus persists in the male reproductive tract remains unknown. The results of this project will further our understanding of the host and viral factors that play a role in persistent and asymptomatic Ebola virus infection of the male reproductive tract.