Natural antibodies and complement link innate and acquired immunity.
Natural or spontaneous antibodies are an essential part of the first line of defense against hematogenically spreading infections, including viruses. These antibodies target virus-antibody complexes and complement to the spleen. This prevents infections from reaching vital organs and enhances neutralizing antibody responses, particularly when the antibody is bound to a highly repetitive antigen.
Ochsenbein
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Institute of Experimental Immunology, Switzerland. adrian.ochsenbein@insel.ch
Zinkernagel
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RM
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000276:immunology; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000276:immunology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology; D003167:Complement Activation; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D014766:Viremia / Q000276:immunology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D003165:Complement System Proteins