Yes. I believe these #autoantibodies are similar to those produced by #B1Cells, which might represent healthy homeostasis rather than breaking tolerance and autoimmunity. We still don't know how the body distinguishes beneficial vs harmful autoantibodies, especially in humans-we are working on it!
Evolutionarily, it makes sense for #B1Cells to do this.
But what’s unique about B-1 Natural Antibodies (NAbs) that prevents a harmful immune response when they bind self/apoptotic, microbiome, vs ERVs? Do we “tolerate” them instead of attacking? #B1Cells NAbs are distinct from #B2Cells antibodies.
This month in #ScienceImmunology, @virusesimmunity.bsky.social & colleagues reported that #ERV -reactive #B1Cells secrete #antibodies that recognize GlcNAc moieties on both ERV #glycoproteins as well as glycoproteins of other enveloped #viruses!
