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),

SUBMITTER: Yan L 

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

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature