SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies; longevity, breadth, and evasion by emerging viral variants

 Fiona Tea, Alberto Ospina Stella, Anupriya Aggarwal, David Ross Darley, Deepti Pilli, Daniele Vitale, Vera Merheb, Fiona X. Z. Lee,  

View ORCID ProfilePhilip Cunningham,  View ORCID ProfileGregory J. Walker, David A. Brown,  View ORCID ProfileWilliam D. Rawlinson, Sonia R. Isaacs, Vennila Mathivanan, Markus Hoffman, Stefan Pöhlmann, Dominic E. Dwyer,  View ORCID ProfileRebeca Rockett,  View ORCID ProfileVitali Sintchenko, Veronica C. Hoad, David O. Irving, Gregory J. Dore,  View ORCID ProfileIain B. Gosbell,  View ORCID ProfileAnthony D. Kelleher, Gail V. Matthews,  View ORCID ProfileFabienne Brilot,  View ORCID ProfileStuart G Turville

doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.12.19.20248567

This article is a preprint and has not been peer-reviewed [what does this mean?]. It reports new medical research that has yet to be evaluated and so should not be used to guide clinical practice.

PDF: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.12.19.20248567v1.full.pdf

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 antibody neutralization response and its evasion by emerging viral variants are unknown. Antibody immunoreactivity against SARS-CoV-2 antigens and Spike variants, inhibition of Spike-driven virus-cell fusion, and infectious SARS-CoV-2 neutralization were characterized in 807 serial samples from 233 RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 individuals with detailed demographics and followed up to seven months. A broad and sustained polyantigenic immunoreactivity against SARS-CoV-2 Spike, Membrane, and Nucleocapsid proteins, along with high viral neutralization were associated with COVID-19 severity. A subgroup of ‘high responders’ maintained high neutralizing responses over time, representing ideal convalescent plasma therapy donors. Antibodies generated against SARS-CoV-2 during the first COVID-19 wave had reduced immunoreactivity and neutralization potency to emerging Spike variants. Accurate monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses would be essential for selection of optimal plasma donors and vaccine monitoring and design.

One Sentence Summary Neutralizing antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 are sustained, associated with COVID19 severity, and evaded by emerging viral variants

Competing Interest Statement

FB has received honoraria from Biogen Idec and Merck Serono as invited speaker. All other authors declare no competing interests.

Funding Statement

This work was supported by Snow Medical (Australia), The University of New South Wales Rapid Response grant (Australia), the University of Sydney Research Excellence Initiative grant (Australia), and the MRRF NHRMC COVID-19 grant. The Australian Governments fund Australian Red Cross Lifeblood for the provision of blood, blood products, and services for the Australian community.

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.12.19.20248567v1