Immunological Functions and Evolutionary Emergence of Heavy-Chain Antibodies

Cory L Brooks; Martin A Rossotti; Kevin A Henry

doi:10.1016/j.it.2018.09.008

Immunological Functions and Evolutionary Emergence of Heavy-Chain Antibodies

Trends Immunol. 2018 Dec;39(12):956-960. doi: 10.1016/j.it.2018.09.008. Epub 2018 Oct 10.

Authors

Cory L Brooks¹, Martin A Rossotti², Kevin A Henry³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry, California State University Fresno, 2555 E. San Ramon Ave., Fresno, CA 93740, USA.
² Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
³ Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada. Electronic address: kevin.henry@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

PMID: 30314850
DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2018.09.008

Abstract

Homodimeric antibodies devoid of light chains have evolved multiple times through convergent evolution, yet their specific immunological functions remain poorly understood. We survey the molecular and structural features of these antibodies, their immunological functions in host defense, and reflect on the long-standing question of the evolutionary forces driving their emergence.

Keywords: V(H)H; V(NAR); comparative immunology; evolutionary immunology; heavy chain-only antibody; single-domain antibody.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Antibodies / immunology*
Evolution, Molecular*
Humans
Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / immunology*

Substances

Antibodies
Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains