Antibody binding to SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein correlates with, but does not predict neutralization
Cardiff University review immunology/immunity
First Author: Shilei Ding
Journal/preprint name: bioRxiv
Paper DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.09.08.287482doi
Tags: convalescent plasma, neutralization, virus capture, antibody,
Summary
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In this study Shilei Ding et al analyze how neutralization relates to binding of the Spike (S) in the context of viral or pseudoviral particles by a pseudovirus capture assay (VCA) previously developed by this same group and a neutralization assay.
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As it has been reported, although convalescent plasma therapy as some antibodies targeting S might potentially neutralize viral and pseudoviral particles, there is a proportion that won’t. What they demonstrate is that the capacity of antibodies to bind the S glycoprotein at the surface of viral particles ir required but not sufficient to mediate neutralization.
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Here they show the importance of the interaction between antibody and S in neutralization. Thus, it should be taken in consideration in the development of new vaccines.
Research Highlights
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Recognition of S glycoproteins at the surface of pseudoviral particles is required but no sufficient to neutralize
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The decrease in neutralization over time might be due to the disappearance of antibodies able to recognize the S glycoprotein at the surface of viral particles.
Impact for COVID-19 research:
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Although this report do not alter our point of view of Covid-19, it does show how virus neutralization might vary depending on S binding which should be considered when using plasma from convalescent patients as a treatment
Methodologies:
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Study Type: in vitro.
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Important cell lines/viral models used: Plasmids: Spike of SARS-CoV-2/1; pNL4.3 R-E-Luc: VSV-G-encoding plasmid (pSVCMV-IN-VSV-G). Cell lines: Cf2Th cells and 293T-ACE2 cell line
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Key Techniques: Virus capture assay to measure the capacity of plasma samples and monoclonal ab. Neutralization assay using sera.
Limitations:
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Might have been worth it to do a time curse to analyze when ab/plasma lose the ability to bind the S glycoprotein.
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Compare neutralization ability plasma and ab.