B cells & viral spikes

  Following infection, B cell receptors are released as Antibodies targeting specific pathogens (Antigens),

typically, spikes viruses use to enter host cells

Dramatis personae: [Virus, Antigen] vs. [Antibody, B cell]

Viral spikes are keys to binding receptors on target cells:

Spike density of some viruses:

Why is HIV spike density two orders of magnitude lower than other viruses?

Is the desire to evade antibody response an evolutionary factor for viral spike density?

How does the immune system create antibodies?

Next (Affinity Maturation) Outline B cells & spikes Affinity Maturation Fitness & Evolution Optimal density Broadly neutralizing Abs Summary

Sars-Cov-2        (diameter) 100nm       #spikes  25-40      density 0.1-0.3