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Defining Natural Antibodies

2017; Frontiers Media; Volume: 8; Linguagem: Inglês

10.3389/fimmu.2017.00872

1664-3224

Nichol E. Holodick, Nely Rodríguez‐Zhurbenko, Ana Hernández,

Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research

The traditional definition of natural antibodies (Nabs) states these antibodies are present prior to the body encountering cognate antigen providing a first line of defense against infection thereby, allowing time for a specific antibody response to be mounted. The literature has a seemingly common definition of NAbs; however, as our knowledge of antibodies and B cells is refined, re-evaluation of the common definition of natural antibodies may be required. Defining natural antibodies becomes important as the function of NAb production is used to define B cell subsets (1) and as these important molecules are shown to play numerous roles in the immune system (Figure 1). Herein, we aim to briefly summarize our current knowledge of NAbs in the context of initiating a discussion within the field of how such an important and multifaceted group of molecules should be defined.