Role of Neutralizing Antibodies in CMV Infection: Implications for New Therapeutic Approaches

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection elicits a potent immune response that includes the stimulation of antibodies with neutralizing activity. Recent studies have focused on elucidating the role of neutralizing antibodies in protecting against CMV infection and disease and characterizing viral antigens against which neutralizing antibodies are directed. Here, we provide a synthesis of recent data regarding the role of neutralizing antibodies in protection against CMV infection/disease. We consider the role of humoral immunity in the context of the global CMV-specific immune response, and the implications that recent findings have for vaccine and antibody-based therapy design. This study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and University, Instituto de Salud Carlos III Grant/ Award Numbers: PI17CIII-00014 (MPY110/18); DTS18CIII/00006 (MPY127/19). This work was supported by Plan Nacional de I+D+i 2013-2016 and Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Subdirección General de Redes y Centros de Investigación Cooperativa, Ministry of Science, Innovation and University, Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD16/0016/0009), cofinanced by European Development Regional Fund ‘A way to achieve Europe’. E.G.-R. is supported by the Sara Borrell Program (CD18CIII/00007), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades. Si