New Research Reveals How Filoviruses Infect And Disrupt Gut Barrier Function
December 11, 2025
While most people think of Ebola and Marburg viruses as causing severe bleeding, many patients also experience excessive fluid loss from diarrhea, indicating involvement of the digestive system. Understanding how filoviruses like Ebola (EBOV) and Marburg (MARV) cause gastrointestinal distress has been a major challenge to preventing severe – and often fatal illness in people. Our latest study uses cutting-edge human mini-gut organoids—3D tissues grown from pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that mimic the intestinal and colonic epithelium—to reveal how these viruses infect and disrupt gut barrier function.
Key findings:
- EBOV and MARV readily infect and replicate within these organoids.
- Infection damages critical epithelial junctions and impairs ion transport.
- Disruption of cellular signaling pathways helps explain filovirus-induced diarrhea and dehydration seen in patients.
- This novel model offers a powerful platform for discovering treatments that protect the gut during filoviral disease.
By illuminating how these viruses attack the gastrointestinal system, NEIDL researchers are advancing our understanding and opening doors for new therapeutic strategies. This work underscores the vital role of innovative research in safeguarding public health against some of the world’s deadliest pathogens.
To learn more about this breakthrough, read the full paper in PLoS Pathogens or check out this recap on the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine site.
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