Futurity · Health

Study reveals bats possess unique dual antibody gene system

Researchers have uncovered a unique feature in the immune systems of vesper bats, the world's largest bat family, which may explain their ability to carry viruses without succumbing to severe illness.

A study published in Science Advances by researchers at Tulane University, Stanford University, and the CDC found that vesper bats have two distinct sets of genes for producing antibodies, unlike all other known mammals which have only one. This discovery could shed light on the evolution of immunity and how animals cope with disease.

Hannah Frank, an associate professor at Tulane University and lead author, stated that this finding is unprecedented in mammals and significantly alters the understanding of mammalian immune system organization. It raises questions about bats' evolutionary success and their viral resilience.

The study focused on vesper bats, found globally except Antarctica, and their remarkable evolutionary success. The newly identified antibody system, involving two separate heavy-chain gene systems instead of the single system found in other mammals, allows bats to generate a wider variety of antibodies.

While previous research focused on bats' innate immunity, this study emphasizes the importance of their adaptive immune system, specifically antibody production. Frank believes this discovery is a crucial piece in understanding why bats are effective viral reservoirs, offering a new direction for research.

Understanding how bats coexist with numerous viruses without illness could improve knowledge of interspecies immune responses and disease spillover prevention strategies. Frank highlights that studying diverse species like bats offers opportunities for novel discoveries beyond human and mouse models.

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