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The importance of polyreactive antibodies in protection against pneumococcal infection
Author(s) -
Milling Simon
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/imm.13324
Subject(s) - streptococcus pneumoniae , antibody , biology , immunology , immune system , vaccination , pneumococcal infections , virology , microbiology and biotechnology , antibiotics
Abstract Antibodies are a key element of the immune response. They can bind their molecular targets with exquisite sensitivity and specificity, providing protection against a multitude of pathogens. They have long been understood to be markers of a successful response to vaccination, and are now widely manufactured as highly specific and robust immunotherapeutic agents. Less well understood are the polyreactive antibodies, found in serum, which are able to bind more than one target molecule. Here, we highlight new research into these naturally occurring polyreactive antibodies, which demonstrates their importance for protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae , a common cause of airway infection.