Vesper Bats Possess Dual Antibody Gene Sets, Explaining Virus Tolerance

Scientists from Tulane University, working with partners at Stanford University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, identified a unique immune trait in vesper bats, the world's largest bat family. Over 500 species were found to possess two distinct copies of the genes that generate antibody heavy chains, a configuration not observed in any other mammal. This genetic duplication may enable bats to produce a wider variety of antibodies, helping them coexist with numerous pathogenic viruses.

While the discovery does not fully explain bats' role as viral reservoirs, it highlights the adaptive immune system as a key area for further research. Understanding this mechanism could inform strategies to mitigate disease spillover to humans. The study was published in Science Advances.