Abstract
While the specific humoral response of reptiles is slow and does not typically increase in titer or binding affinity upon secondary immunization, reptiles produce polyreactive natural antibodies (NAbs) that have low binding affinity and are produced in the absence of antigen stimulation. Given the poor specific response, NAbs may be an important protective resource in reptiles. In order to investigate the relative contributions of natural and specific antibodies, we immunized turtles with the novel antigen keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). We did not detect an increase in antibody titers. However, preimmunization titers to KLH, as well as to a series of other novel antigens, were high in the turtles, indicating a strong NAb response. Interestingly, we found an age-associated increase in NAb titers in adults. Overall, our data suggest that reptiles may use NAbs as part of a strong innate immune response rather than relying on slower specific humoral responses.
Highlights
The vertebrate immune system is a complex network of cells and molecules that interact to protect the animal against constant attacks from pathogens
We demonstrated in vitro that B cells from red-eared sliders respond to stimulation with LPS by increasing both the number of antibody secreting cells and the amount of antibody secreted by each cell [19]
To further characterize the preexisting antibody reactivity, we investigated the ability of slider antibodies to bind to a whole suite of presumably novel antigens and determined if those titers varied across the active season or with age
Summary
The vertebrate immune system is a complex network of cells and molecules that interact to protect the animal against constant attacks from pathogens. When exposed to a novel antigen, a latent phase occurs in which T and B cells first make contact with the antigen and begin to proliferate and differentiate. In mammals, this latent period lasts around 1 to 2 weeks depending on such factors as type and dose of antigen used and immunization route. Antibody titers increase exponentially and peak at a steady state shortly thereafter During this phase, IgM is the first antibody produced, which is supplanted by IgG in mammals and IgY in birds [4]. Antigen-driven affinity maturation and memory cell generation are hallmarks of an adaptive immune response
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