Functions of Antibodies

Abstract

Antibodies can impact pathogens in the presence or in the absence of effector cells or effector molecules such as complement, and experiments can often sort out with precision the mechanisms by which an antibody inhibits a pathogen in vitro. In addition, in vivo models, particularly those engineered to knock in or knock out effector cells or effector molecules, are excellent tools for understanding antibody functions. However, it is highly likely that multiple antibody functions occur simultaneously or sequentially in the presence of an infecting organism in vivo. The most critical incentive for measuring antibody functions is to provide a basis for vaccine development and for the development of therapeutic antibodies. In this respect, some functions, such as virus neutralization, serve to inhibit the acquisition of a pathogen or limit its pathogenesis. However, antibodies can also enhance replication or contribute to pathogenesis. This review emphasizes those antibody functions that are potentially beneficial to the host. In addition, this review will focus on the effects of antibodies on organisms themselves, rather than on the toxins the organisms may produce.

Neutralization Mechanism of a Monoclonal Antibody Targeting a Porcine Circovirus Type 2 Cap Protein Conformational Epitope

“…1A). Previous studies showed that some antibodies inhibited infectivity by binding to viruses and causing them to aggregate (37). This could explain the additional efficiency displayed by the MAb 3A5 IgG in our study, for the Fab without the Fc fragment lost its virus-aggregating capability.…”

Human-Like Neutralizing Antibodies Protect Mice from Aerosol Exposure with Western Equine Encephalitis Virus

“…Non-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies have demonstrated some success in mouse protection studies against other alphaviruses, including Sindbis virus [ 27 ], Semliki Forest virus [ 17 ] and VEEV [ 20 , 28 ]. The mechanism of action of ToR68-2C3 is undefined, but protection may be attributed to complement-mediated lysis or antibody-dependent cell-mediated lysis of infected cells [ 29 , 30 ]. Together, these data highlight the importance of in vivo evaluation of both neutralizing and non-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies for protective efficacy.…”

Proteomics, Bioinformatics and Structure-Function Antigen Mining For Gonorrhea Vaccines

“…Both NHBA and NadA are involved in bacterial adherence, and neutralizing antibodies against either protein reduce the ability of Nm to adhere to epithelial cells (112, 113). Non-neutralizing antibodies provide protection against viruses (114, 115); however, similar data are scarce for bacteria (114). Targeting bacterial virulence factors or physiologically important proteins with a vaccine could discourage mutations that would allow the protein to evade immune detection, thereby improving the vaccine's success.…”