A model for VLP mediated post-exposure protection against EBOV infection.

<p>Top: EBOV infection in macrophages and DCs inhibits induction of type I IFNs and delays induction of ISGs via the mechanism of anti-IFN antagonism. Impaired type I IFN signaling delays induction of antiviral ISGs, and hinders maturation of macrophages and DCs and development of antigen presentation activity. It also inhibits prompt induction of negative regulatory ISGs that leads to exaggerated inflammatory responses. As a result, adaptive immunity is not adequately induced. Bottom: VLPs trigger timely induction of type I IFNs and ISGs by overcoming EBOV’s anti-IFN antagonism. This prompts rapid onset of anti-viral activity, simultaneously limiting exaggerated inflammatory responses and allowing maturation of antigen presentation function, which results in robust adaptive immune responses.