Vesper bats' dual antibody genes may explain virus tolerance

Scientists discovered that vesper bats possess two separate sets of antibody genes, an immune arrangement never before found in mammals, which may explain how they tolerate dangerous viruses without getting sick. Researchers at Tulane University, Stanford University, and the CDC published the study in Science Advances, finding that over 500 bat species have two distinct copies of antibody-producing genes, unlike all other known mammals with only one set. The finding, described as completely changing understanding of mammalian immune systems, could help researchers learn how bats coexist with viruses and potentially improve strategies for reducing disease spillover risks.