Shaping Polyclonal Responses via Antigen-Mediated Antibody Interference

ABSTRACT: Summary Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) recognize conserved features of rapidly mutating pathogens and confer universal protection, but they emerge rarely in natural infection. Increasing evidence indicates that seemingly passive antibodies may interfere with natural selection of B cells. Yet, how such interference modulates polyclonal responses is unknown. Here we provide a framework for understanding the role of antibody interference—mediated by multi-epitope antigens—in shaping B cell clonal makeup and the fate of bnAb lineages. We find that, under heterogeneous interference, clones with different intrinsic fitness can collectively persist. Furthermore, antagonism among fit clones (specific for variable epitopes) promotes expansion of unfit clones (targeting conserved epitopes), at the cost of repertoire potency. This trade-off, however, can be alleviated by synergy toward the unfit. Our results provide a physical basis for antigen-mediated clonal interactions, stress system-level impacts of molecular synergy and antagonism, and offer principles to amplify naturally rare clones. Graphical Abstract Highlights • Multi-epitope antigens mediate antibody interference that couples B cell lineages• Trade-off exists between repertoire potency and persistence of broad lineages• Antigen-mediated synergy toward intrinsically unfit clones alleviates the trade-off• Amplifying rare clones by leveraging molecular interference structure Biological Sciences; Immunology; Mathematical Biosciences

SUBMITTER: Yan L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7530306 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature