A Potently Neutralizing Antibody Protects Mice against SARS-CoV-2 Infection
immunology/immunity
Authors: Alsoussi et al.
Journal/ Pre-Print:Journal of Immunology
Key Words: Immunology, Antibody
Research Highlights
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Generation and characterization of a panel of murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against the receptor-binding domain (RBD)
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Antibody 2B04 is shown to both neutralize SARS-CoV-2 very potently in vitro and in vivo in a mouse model.
Summary
This study aims to identify potent neutralising mAb against SARS-CoV2 RBD for the purpose of generating antibodies for therapy. Mice were immunized with recombinant SARS-CoV-2 RBD and adjuvant and boosted 14 days later twice with recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein at a 10-day interval. 5 days after the final booster immunization potent neutralizing serum activity was measured against recombinant S or RBD protein and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were isolated and cloned from sorted plasma blasts. Five isolated antibodies were shown to display strong neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro, amongst which the antibody clone 2B04 showed the most potent activity. In vivo protective activity of 2B04 was tested using a mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection in which hACE2 is transiently expressed via a nonreplicating adenoviral vector. 2B04 was shown to limit disease and reduce viral dissemination.
Impact for SARS-CoV2/COVID19 research efforts
Inhibit of SARS-CoV2/COVID19 transmission
Treat of SARS-CoV2/COVID19 positive individuals
Study Type
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In vitro study
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In vivo study (e.g. mouse, NHP)
Strengths and limitations of the paper
Novelty: Potently neutralizing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies have been isolated previously
Standing in the field:There is already a couple of papers published reporting similar results with other mAb.
Appropriate statistics: Yes
Viral model used:They use wild-type SARS-CoV-2 for their in vitro assay and the strain 2019 n-CoV/USA_WA1/2020 for their in vivo infection
Translatability:2B04 could be developed as a therapy
Main limitations: They generate mouse antibodies and show in vivo efficacy only in mice