Age strongly influences antibody production against viruses, researchers find. A Nature Immunology study shows age, sex, and genetics shape immune responses, with implications for tailored treatments.

New Delhi: Age could be a dominant factor in influencing antibody production in response to a virus -- for a given virus, certain antibodies increase with age while others decrease, depending on which part of the virus is targeted, researchers have found. The team, including researchers from Institut Pasteur at France's National Centre for Scientific Research, have shown that when attacked by the same virus, individuals can produce antibodies that target different parts of the virus. Biological sex and genetic factors of the host are also important factors which determine not only the quantity of antibodies produced but also the specific viral regions they target, the team found. The findings, published in the journal Nature Immunology, could have major implications for developing treatments better tailored to an individual's profile.

The researchers analysed data from the Milieu Intérieur study, launched 15 years ago and aimed at dissecting the interplay between genetics and environment and its impact on the immune system.

One thousand healthy individuals were enrolled whose socio-economic status, lifestyle, medical history, and biological markers were included in the study.

The authors "demonstrate that age, sex and continent of birth extensively affect not only the viruses but also the specific viral epitopes targeted by the antibody repertoire." An epitope is a region on an antigen or substance triggering an immune response where an antibody attaches itself.

"Furthermore, we identify strong associations between antibodies against 34 viruses and genetic variants at HLA, FUT2, IGH and IGK loci, some of which increase autoimmune disease risk," the authors said.

Source: NDTV - February 19,2026