Antibody enhanced viral growth in macrophages

Antiviral antibody can promote viral entry into macrophages by pathways involving cellular receptors for the Fc portion of immunoglobulin or for complement components. Whether virus taken up through these routes is restricted or results in productive infection depends upon a balance between a number of variables. These include the virus strain and dose, the macrophage source and state of activation, the concentration, class and viral specificity of the antibody, and environmental factors such as time and temperature. Under appropriate conditions viral replication can be enhanced by antiviral antibodies.