Researchers from Tulane University, in collaboration with Stanford University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have identified a unique feature of the immune system in vesper bats that may explain their ability to carry viruses without succumbing to illness. The study, published in Science Advances, reveals that vesper bats possess two distinct copies of the genes involved in producing antibodies, a protein crucial for the immune system’s identification and combat of infections. In contrast, all other known mammals have only one set of these genes.
This discovery provides scientists with a novel perspective on the evolution of immune systems and the varying responses of different animals to disease. Hannah Frank, the corresponding author of the study and an associate professor at Tulane University, emphasized that this finding “completely changes our understanding of how mammalian immune systems can be organized” and highlights the evolutionary success of bats. The presence of two separate heavy-chain gene systems in vesper bats potentially allows for a broader variety of antibodies, offering an additional mechanism for mounting immune responses. While this discovery does not fully elucidate why bats serve as effective viral reservoirs, it underscores the complexity of bat immunity and suggests new avenues for research that could enhance understanding of immune responses across species and inform strategies to mitigate disease spillover risks. Source