Game-changer in immunology:
T-cells proven to prevent viral infections without antibodies

T cells can independently prevent viral infections, challenging the dominance of antibodies in vaccine design. Future vaccines should aim to stimulate both T-cell and antibody responses for broader protection. Further research will explore ways to enhance T-cell responses in vaccine development. Researchers from Duke-NUS Medical School and Singapore General Hospital have demonstrated that T cells can independently prevent viral infections—a role previously attributed almost exclusively to neutralizing antibodies. Published in Nature Microbiology, their findings challenge the traditional view that antibodies are the primary defense against acute viral diseases. The study suggests that future vaccine strategies should focus on stimulating T-cell responses alongside antibody production to achieve broader protection. “We discovered that T cells can act as the first line of defense, rather than merely supporting the immune system in combating acute viral diseases,” said lead author Professor Ooi Eng Eong, PhD, from Duke-NUS Medical School’s Emerging Infectious Diseases Program. “This fundamentally challenges the paradigm...