Researchers at the University of Iowa have identified how the Ebola virus (EBOV) can spread through skin contact, uncovering significant cellular pathways that may inform new prevention and treatment strategies. The study, conducted in collaboration with the Texas Biomedical Research Institute and Boston University, reveals that EBOV can traverse human skin and uses specific cell types—macrophages, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and keratinocytes—as targets for infection. Understanding the role of the skin, particularly the epidermis, is crucial since the virus can be detected on the skin surface within days.
This research highlights the skin’s potential as a pathway for person-to-person transmission, especially near the end of the disease. Using human skin explants, the team tracked the virus’s movement from the dermis to the epidermis, showcasing that EBOV replication is more efficient in the epidermal layer. The findings suggest that the skin has previously underappreciated roles in the infection process, which could lead to focused antiviral therapies. This study emphasizes the need to investigate skin more thoroughly as it plays a significant role in EBOV transmission dynamics. Its implications extend to modeling therapies against EBOV, enhancing research on effective treatments.
