Bats' dual antibody genes may explain virus resistance

Scientists have discovered that smooth-nosed bats possess two sets of antibody genes, a unique feature never before seen in mammals, which may explain their resistance to dangerous viruses. Researchers from Tulane University, Stanford University, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published findings in Science Advances showing this immune system duplication allows the bats to produce a wider variety of protective proteins. The study focused on the family comprising over 500 species. Smooth-nosed bats inhabit all continents except Antarctica and serve as natural reservoirs for many viruses while rarely suffering severe illness. The authors note this two-chain antibody system does not fully explain infection tolerance but offers new research directions for understanding immune mechanisms and reducing disease transmission risks to humans.