title: Natural antibodies and complement link innate and acquired immunity.
abstract: 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.
authors: Institute of Experimental Immunology, Switzerland. adrian.ochsenbein@insel.ch
authors: A F
authors: AF
authors: Ochsenbein
authors: R M
authors: RM
authors: Zinkernagel
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D003165:Complement System Proteins