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Natural antibodies and complement link innate and acquired immunity
A F Ochsenbein1, R M Zinkernagel
1Institute of Experimental Immunology, Switzerland. adrian.ochsenbein@insel.ch
Immunology Today
|December 15, 2000
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.