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Lessons from the host defences of bats, a unique viral reservoir

Author

Listed:
  • Aaron T. Irving

    (Duke-NUS Medical School
    Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University School of Medicine)

  • Matae Ahn

    (Duke-NUS Medical School)

  • Geraldine Goh

    (Duke-NUS Medical School)

  • Danielle E. Anderson

    (Duke-NUS Medical School)

  • Lin-Fa Wang

    (Duke-NUS Medical School
    SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute)

Abstract

There have been several major outbreaks of emerging viral diseases, including Hendra, Nipah, Marburg and Ebola virus diseases, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)—as well as the current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Notably, all of these outbreaks have been linked to suspected zoonotic transmission of bat-borne viruses. Bats—the only flying mammal—display several additional features that are unique among mammals, such as a long lifespan relative to body size, a low rate of tumorigenesis and an exceptional ability to host viruses without presenting clinical disease. Here we discuss the mechanisms that underpin the host defence system and immune tolerance of bats, and their ramifications for human health and disease. Recent studies suggest that 64 million years of adaptive evolution have shaped the host defence system of bats to balance defence and tolerance, which has resulted in a unique ability to act as an ideal reservoir host for viruses. Lessons from the effective host defence of bats would help us to better understand viral evolution and to better predict, prevent and control future viral spillovers. Studying the mechanisms of immune tolerance in bats could lead to new approaches to improving human health. We strongly believe that it is time to focus on bats in research for the benefit of both bats and humankind.

Suggested Citation

  • Aaron T. Irving & Matae Ahn & Geraldine Goh & Danielle E. Anderson & Lin-Fa Wang, 2021. "Lessons from the host defences of bats, a unique viral reservoir," Nature, Nature, vol. 589(7842), pages 363-370, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:589:y:2021:i:7842:d:10.1038_s41586-020-03128-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-03128-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrew Spring & Erin Nelson & Irena Knezevic & Patricia Ballamingie & Alison Blay-Palmer, 2021. "Special Issue “Levering Sustainable Food Systems to Address Climate Change (Pandemics and Other Shocks and Hazards): Possible Transformations”," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-6, July.
    2. Mendes, Pedro B. & Boeger, Walter A., 2022. "Game dynamics as a driver for pathogen spillover pulses," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 473(C).
    3. Marziah Hashimi & T. Andrew Sebrell & Jodi F. Hedges & Deann Snyder & Katrina N. Lyon & Stephanie D. Byrum & Samuel G. Mackintosh & Dan Crowley & Michelle D. Cherne & David Skwarchuk & Amanda Robison , 2023. "Antiviral responses in a Jamaican fruit bat intestinal organoid model of SARS-CoV-2 infection," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    4. Susanne Kessler & Bradly Burke & Geoffroy Andrieux & Jan Schinköthe & Lea Hamberger & Johannes Kacza & Shijun Zhan & Clara Reasoner & Taru S. Dutt & Maria Kaukab Osman & Marcela Henao-Tamayo & Julian , 2024. "Deciphering bat influenza H18N11 infection dynamics in male Jamaican fruit bats on a single-cell level," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-18, December.
    5. Wenjuan Dong & Jing Wang & Lei Tian & Jianying Zhang & Erik W. Settles & Chao Qin & Daniel R. Steinken-Kollath & Ashley N. Itogawa & Kimberly R. Celona & Jinhee Yi & Mitchell Bryant & Heather Mead & S, 2023. "Factor Xa cleaves SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to block viral entry and infection," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-18, December.
    6. Jonathan C. Guito & Shannon G. M. Kirejczyk & Amy J. Schuh & Brian R. Amman & Tara K. Sealy & James Graziano & Jessica R. Spengler & Jessica R. Harmon & David M. Wozniak & Joseph B. Prescott & Jonatha, 2024. "Coordinated inflammatory responses dictate Marburg virus control by reservoir bats," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.

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