A new study, published in the journal Nature Communications, has revealed how the Ebola virus infects cells. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin, the University of California, San Francisco, and the University of Washington, provides new insights into the mechanisms by which the virus enters cells and causes disease.

The Ebola virus is a highly contagious, often fatal, disease that is transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids. The virus enters cells by attaching to a protein on the cell surface called the NPC1 receptor. Once attached, the virus is taken up into the cell and begins to replicate.

The new study has shown that the Ebola virus can also enter cells by attaching to a different protein on the cell surface called the EphA2 receptor. This finding is significant because it suggests that the virus may be able to infect a wider range of cells than previously thought.

The study also showed that the virus can use the EphA2 receptor to enter cells that do not express the NPC1 receptor. This finding is important because it suggests that the virus may be able to infect cells that are not normally susceptible to infection.

The findings of this study have implications for the development of new treatments for Ebola virus infection. By understanding how the virus enters cells, scientists can develop drugs that block this process and prevent infection.

The study also provides new insights into the pathogenesis of Ebola virus infection. By understanding how the virus causes disease, scientists can develop new strategies for preventing and treating the disease.