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Pathogenesis and treatment of Rift Valley fever virus

Cartwright, Haley Nicole (2022) Pathogenesis and treatment of Rift Valley fever virus. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-transmitted bunyavirus causing periodic outbreaks of severe disease in humans and livestock. Currently endemic to most of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, RVFV threatens to spread into new regions of the world due to its many competent mosquito vectors and the effects of climate change. Rift Valley fever (RVF) in humans generally causes a self-limiting febrile illness; however, it can progress to severe forms of disease including hepatitis, hemorrhagic fever, or encephalitis. Unhindered spread of RVFV would cause major human health and agricultural economic consequences. Therefore, RVFV is classified as a NIAID category A priority pathogen and a WHO priority disease for research and development. Despite this, the field lacks tractable high-throughput animal models of the various forms of RVFV disease and there are no licensed human therapeutics. Here I address these gaps in the RVFV field by developing and characterizing both novel mouse models and therapeutically relevant antibodies. First, I evaluate RVFV susceptibility and pathogenesis across five commonly used inbred laboratory mouse strains to determine phenotypic baselines, identify potential sex differences, and determine challenge dose. Second, I screen 20 recombinant inbred Collaborative Cross mouse strains to identify and characterize novel murine models of RVFV disease. Third, I develop RVFV monoclonal antibodies, establish therapeutic efficacy, and show that Fc-mediated functions are a critical component of humoral protection from RVFV. Together this work answers critical questions about RVFV pathogenesis and treatment. Importantly, this work yielded both a novel model of RVF encephalitis and multiple monoclonal antibody therapeutic candidates.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Cartwright, Haley Nicolehac127@pitt.eduhac1270000-0002-7844-4838
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairHartman, Amyhartman2@pitt.edu
Thesis AdvisorMcElroy, Anitamcelroya@pitt.edu
Committee MemberWilliams, Johnjvw@pitt.edu
Committee MemberAlcorn, Johnjfa9@pitt.edu
Committee MemberSilva, Laurielaurie.silva@pitt.edu
Date: 1 June 2022
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 4 April 2022
Approval Date: 1 June 2022
Submission Date: 20 April 2022
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Number of Pages: 159
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Medicine > Microbiology and Immunology
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: mouse model, collaborative cross, encephalitis, monoclonal antibody, mAb
Date Deposited: 01 Jun 2022 13:49
Last Modified: 19 May 2023 13:46
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/42677

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