Antibody-Mediated Neutralization of Infectivity
Michael Mach
from: Cytomegaloviruses: Molecular Biology and Immunology (Edited by: Matthias J. Reddehase). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2006)
Abstract
Neutralization of virus infectivity by antibodies represents a powerful tool of the immune system in the battle against viral infections. Targets for CMV-neutralizing antibodies are glycoproteins in the viral envelope. However, our knowledge about overall composition of the viral envelope and the importance of individual proteins with respect to virus neutralization is still rudimentary and more detailed information is only available for glycoproteins B and H. We need to extend this knowledge considerably with respect to CMV envelope composition as well as the antibody response against it. As a persistent virus CMV has also developed mechanisms to evade efficient neutralization by antibodies and antigenic variation has emerged as an important factor in CMV biology. The contribution of this variability and additional factors that influence the neutralizing antibody response need to be established. Only if we considerably increase our understanding about the delicate balance between the persistence of this virus and the presence of neutralizing antibodies we will be able to device strategies to strengthen the humoral immune system in the control of CMV infection. Results from the animal CMVs are encouraging since they provide clear evidence that antibodies are protective read more ...
