Do Identical Twins Have Identical Antibody Responses?

In a recent study, TwinsUK researchers found the heritability of anti-viral antibody selection among a cohort of identical twins.  

The study investigated for the first time whether epitope selection – the part of the antigen molecule to which an antibody attaches itself – is heritable. The team monitored levels of key molecules in the blood, including vitamins and amino acids, and are released when food is digested 

There is a high degree of variability in human immune responses to viral infections. The genetic factors that influence this variability are not well explored. TwinsUK is the UK’s largest adult twin registry consisting of identical twins. Identical (monozygotic) twins come from a single fertilised egg that splits in two and shares most of their genetic material. As such, most of their differences (either physical or behavioural) are likely to be the results of environmental factors. 

Researchers from TwinsUK compared samples from identical twins with fraternal twins to measure the heritability of the antibody repertoire and identify genetic loci driving antibody responses in humans. 

They used VirScan, a virome-wide antibody profiling technology, to measure the heritability of epitope selection. 

The results found epitope selection is a heritable trait. They also utilised genome-wide association analysis to identify genetic loci linked to Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) antibody epitope selection and identified a key role for HLA-DR (MHC-II) in selecting certain dominant EBV epitopes.

First author Dr Massimo Mangino from King’s College London said:

“Our study represents the first comprehensive investigation of the contributions of genetic and environmental factors to the variation in the antibody responses to viral infections. It highlights the complex relationship between genetic and environment and may provide a novel framework for identifying genes important for pathogen immunity.”