Host pathogen interactions in viral diseases can be assessed in non-human primate models. Spatial antibody-based immune characterization techniques provide detailed context of host-immune interactions, however, optimization of these techniques in non-human primates requires extensive reagent development for species compatibility.  

Method:

The authors developed the first optimized CO-Detection by indEXing (CODEX) multiplexed tissue imaging antibody panel for deep profiling of single-cell immune responses in rhesus macaques. This 21-marker panel includes 18 antibodies for major immune cell types and three Ebola virus (EBOV)-specific antibodies. They validated these markers using immunohistochemistry and CODEX in fully inactivated Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) tissues from mock and EBOV-challenged macaques.

Results:

This panel allows specific detection of B cells, NK cells, DCs, macrophages, and T cells, in addition to EBOV-specific proteins. This provides spatial immune characterization of EBOV-infected non-human primate tissue. These antibody clones and oligonucleotide tag sequences are available for future host-pathogen studies.

Implication:

The optimized CODEX panel enables detailed spatial analysis of immune responses in NHP models, facilitating better understanding of tissue immune responses to EBOV infection and other diseases. This resource supports future research and development