B or not to B: Insights in the regulation of anti-viral immunity

Researchers delve into the inner workings of the antibody immune response, finding key differences in the metabolism of two closely related immune cell subsets. Protection against viral diseases is a key role of our body's immune response, where antibodies are generated to seek out invading species and either neutralise or mark them for destruction. -The importance of antibodies has been the centre of attention during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and major research efforts have been made to understand effective antibody responses,- explains Prof. Dirk Brenner , Deputy Head of the Department of Infection and Immunity (DII) at the LIH and professor of immunology and genetics at the University of Luxembourg, when introducing his team's latest study. Two sub-groups of B cells. Antibody production is largely controlled by distinct types of B cells, special white blood cells than can produce disease controlling antibodies. In order to increase anti-viral immunity in the population, it is important to understand our bodies- response to a disease causing virus and not just the virus itself. A complete understanding of the immune response, right down to the inner workings of individual cells, is therefore of paramount importance in developing future treatments.