Empowering antibodies to better activate the immune system
Antibodies are best known for their ability to latch onto and neutralize bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. But these immune proteins can do more than that: They also activate other components of the immune system, which then go to work to clear an infection. A new study from Scripps Research explores the factors that influence how effectively antibodies engage specific immune cells. Their results, described April 22, 2025 in Cell Reports, indicate that a higher ratio of antibodies to viral protein - in this case, a part of HIV - better engages two specific types of immune cells.
Antibodies are best known for their ability to latch onto and neutralize bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. But these immune proteins can do more than that: They also activate other components of the immune system, which then go to work to clear an infection. A new study from Scripps Research explores the factors that influence how effectively antibodies engage specific immune cells.
Their results, described April 22, 2025 in Cell Reports, indicate that a higher ratio of antibodies to viral protein - in this case, a part of HIV - better engages two specific types of immune cells.
