B-cell restriction – an alternative piece to the puzzle

Gershoni, Jonathan M.

In view of the seemingly endless capacity of B-cells to generate antibodies towards every nuance of an infectious virus, it would make sense to restrict and focus the immune response exclusively towards neutralizing epitopes. It certainly makes sense to invest all B-cell energy in producing exceptionally effective antibodies, antibodies that ensure that each binding event cripples the virus and directly interferes with infectivity. So, the first restriction of the B-cell response towards viruses should prevent the production of antibodies to nonneutralizing surfaces of the virus. We should try to focus on the immune response such that every antibody counts.