Antibody structure and function relationships in health and disease prevention

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Antibody Structure and Function relationships in Health and Disease PreventionFor host defence, disease prevention and therapy, knowledge of the immune system and its regulation in health and disease is essential. Towards this goal, our research is focused on antibody genetics and engineering as applied to disease prevention. Our laboratory discovered bovine antibodies, largest known to exist in a species with unique structural characteristics. Proposed studies aim at defining the unknown mechanisms that generate these kinds of antibody and, also, advance knowledge of antibody diversification during immune system development. The studies aim at understanding the development of post-birth neonatal immune system to enhance host defence ability of newborns against infections. Our discovery of unique bovine antibodies offers an opportunity to develop novel therapies and vaccines, by designing antibodies, for prevention of those diseases where conventional therapies fail, for example, viral infections. Recently, our laboratory constructed anti-viral antibody fragment that neutralizes bovine herpes virus-1 and is, thus, of therapeutic value. The multi-functional potency of antibody fragment will be enhanced via structural optimization and modification. Studies are focused on developing novel vaccine via 'antigenization' against bovine herpes virus-1, an economically significant cattle pathogen for which current prevention strategies are not fully effective hampering disease eradication efforts.Significance: Studies of antibody genetics and 'structure and function' relationships will advance knowledge of host defence essential to designing new therapeutics and vaccines. An understanding of the development of antibody arm of the immune system post-birth will help develop strategies to strengthen immunity of newborn to prevent infections. Development of new vaccines against bovine herpes virus-1 will help prevent serious economic losses to cattle industry.