File:Antibody Social Networks.jpg

English: During invasive candidiasis (a systemic mycosis caused by Candida spp.), the human immune system produces antibodies directed against different antigenic protein species from this fungal pathogen to defend itself. These antibodies are organized into complex “social networks”, resulting in coordinated antibody responses crucial for mediating human defense against invasive infection. This image shows these “antibody social networks” (i.e. correlation networks of antibody reactivities to distinct Candida antigenic protein species) during invasive candidiasis. The network nodes and numbers depict antibodies directed against discrete Candida antigenic protein species. Those with the same color illustrate antibodies directed against the distinct antigenic species of the same Candida protein. The edges display pairwise reactivity correlations. The thicker and brighter edges represent stronger associations. These “antibody social networks” are formed by several modules or subgroups of antibodies that are tightly intra-connected to each other by their reactivities but loosely inter-connected to nodes from other subgroups.