The abstract is read at the publisher; the summary is JClub's.
In a preclinical rabbit study, HCMV glycoprotein B (gB) is a key target of antibody-mediated phagocytosis, while the pentameric complex (PC) is not.
- Why it matters: Non-neutralizing antibody functions are linked to protection from vertical HCMV transmission, but which envelope antigens drive phagocytosis is unclear.
- What they did: Rabbits received a gB protein subunit vaccine with or without PC, and antibody-mediated phagocytosis and FcγR activation were tested against HCMV virions and infected cells.
- The result: Adding PC improved neutralization and inhibited cell-associated viral spread but did not increase phagocytosis or FcγR activation; blocking an HCMV hyperimmune globulin against gB reduced phagocytosis, supporting gB as the phagocytosis-mediating target.
The findingWhy it mattersWhat they didThe result
AI summary of the abstract · may contain errors · not medical advice · read the paper.