Antibodies that recognize viruses but do not block virus infection in the lab are known as ‘non-neutralizing antibodies’. These have been historically overlooked in favor of the classical ‘neutralizing antibodies’. However, it is now appreciated they can act through a range of protective mechanisms, and our lab is uncovering new ways in which they contribute to antiviral immunity.

Recently we uncovered a novel pathway by which non-neutralizing antibodies boost antigen presentation by intracellular activity, leading to stronger activation of virus-killing cytotoxic T cells. This discovery highlights a new kind of synergy between antibody- and T cell–mediated immunity. We are now investigating the mechanisms behind this process, with the long-term goal of harnessing it to improve vaccine design. We are also investigating how non-neutralizing antibodies function across different stages of life, recognizing that assumptions based on adult immunity may not always hold true in newborns or children.