A New Lease on Life for an HIV-Neutralizing Antibody Class and Vaccine Target COMMENTARY Dennis R

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

A New Lease on Life for an HIV-Neutralizing Antibody Class and Vaccine Target COMMENTARY Dennis R COMMENTARY A new lease on life for an HIV-neutralizing antibody class and vaccine target COMMENTARY Dennis R. Burtona,b,1 Neutralizing antibodies (nAbs), in the time of COVID- dependent effect in TZM-bl cells was not due to 19, have received much attention in the lay press ow- phagocytosis of virus and it was proposed that a ing to their association with vaccine protection against “kinetic effect” was responsible. Thus, it was suggested severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The that bnAb bound to FcR would be prepositioned to attention is well-deserved and the association of nAbs bind more effectively to the MPER, which is probably with protection is true for many viruses (1). For HIV, we only fully displayed once initial contact of virus with eagerly await the results of the antibody-mediated target cells has been made. Overall, the possibility protection trial investigating the ability of the HIV broadly then arose that an early event in infection in NHPs neutralizing antibody (bnAb) VRC01 to prevent infection might involve FcRI-bearing cells, most likely mononu- in humans (https://ampstudy.org/). Meanwhile, passively clear phagocytes or dendritic cells, and MPER bnAbs administered and vaccine-induced nAbs have been were thereby advantaged in protection terms. A com- shown to provide protection against mucosal viral chal- plicating factor in this mechanism is the high serum lenge in nonhuman primates (NHPs) (2). A recent anal- concentration of monomeric immunoglobulin G (IgG) ysis of a large number of NHP protection studies that will compete with specific IgG for FcRI binding, and showed a good correlation between serum neutraliza- indeed 5% serum was shown to abolish the FcRI effect tion titer and protection (3). However, one set of bnAbs, for MPER bnAbs (6). However, it was argued that condi- those directed to the membrane proximal external re- tions operating in vivo may still allow the enhancement gion (MPER) of the HIV envelope spike, appeared to be effect. outliers and offered greater protection at lower serum A report in PNAS (11) identifies a class of nAbs neutralizing titers. This phenomenon was first described demonstrating the phenomenon of hugely enhanced for MPER bnAbs 2F5 and 4E10 (4) and was also tenta- neutralization of FcR-bearing target cells as compared tively noted for MPER bnAb 10E8 (5) and has been re- to the corresponding cells lacking FcR. Miller et al. ferred to colloquially as MPER bnAbs “punching above previously described a bnAb, D5, a number of years their weight.” ago that recognizes the N-terminal heptad repeat A very interesting related observation with regard (NHR) region of gp41 (12). The region is conserved, to the phenomenon had earlier been made by Perez being a part of the HIV fusion machinery, but is only et al., who showed that neutralization was greatly transiently exposed during the process in which the enhanced in target cells (TZM-bl cells) engineered to virus membrane fuses with that of the target cells pre- express Fc receptors, particularly FcRI and to a lesser ceding the transfer of viral genetic information to the extent FcRIIb, on their surface as compared to wild- target cell (13, 14). The NHR is a validated clinical tar- type target cells (6). The enhancement was shown to get for the drug enfuviritide (15). However, D5 primar- be dependent on the Fc region of the bnAbs. This ily only neutralizes highly sensitive HIV isolates (tier-1 result was consistent with some observations made viruses) and is very weak against more neutralization- even earlier by Holl et al. (7–9), who noted that the resistant viruses (tier 2), characteristic of human infec- MPER bnAbs 2F5 and 4E10 showed hugely enhanced tion and transmission. Therefore, interest in the anti- ability to neutralize viruses infecting mononuclear body per se and its epitope as a vaccine target has phagocytes and monocyte-derived dendritic cells been limited. In this report, it is demonstrated that D5 and a link to FcRI expression. They likewise showed neutralizes a range of tier-2 viruses effectively in TZM-bl the dependence of the effect on the Fc part of the Ab target cells expressing human FcRI. The enhancement molecule. A later study (10) showed that the FcR- effect in certain cases is estimated to be of the order of aDepartment of Immunology and Microbiology, IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037; and bRagon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139 Author contributions: D.R.B. wrote the paper. The author declares no competing interest. Published under the PNAS license. See companion article, “The high-affinity immunoglobulin receptor FcγRI potentiates HIV-1 neutralization via antibodies against the gp41 N-heptad repeat,” 10.1073/pnas.2018027118. 1Email: [email protected]. Published January 27, 2021. PNAS 2021 Vol. 118 No. 7 e2026390118 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2026390118 | 1of3 Downloaded by guest on September 28, 2021 greatly increases the effective concentration of antibody when virus engages target cell receptors, leading to much more effective neutralization (Fig. 1). The key question now is whether the FcR-dependent property described can be exploited either in the use of passive antibodies antivirally or in vaccine development. As proposed by the authors, an important experiment is now to determine whether D5 punches above its weight in protection experiments in NHPs— that is, does it offer protection at relatively low serum neutralizing titers to mucosal challenge? If it does, then this would suggest that D5, especially if engineered to have higher affinity for its target epitope (16), could find prophylactic and possibly thera- peutic application given its breadth of neutralization. The NHR would also then be a possible attractive vaccine target. Impor- tantly, a positive result, together with existing MPER bnAb pro- tection, would also be suggestive of the involvement of FcRI- bearing cells, such as mononuclear phagocytes, at a crucial stage in the infection process in NHPs. As noted by the authors, the identity of the cells involved first in the very early stages of trans- Fig. 1. Modeling of the interaction of FcRI-bound IgG to the NHR mission is uncertain but there is evidence that FcRI-bearing cells region of gp41 of HIV envelope during viral entry (compare figure 5 of ref. 11). It is hypothesized that, during viral entry and the such as macrophages and dendritic cells can transmit virus to interaction of HIV envelope with CD4 and CCR5 on target cells, the CD4+ T cells (17, 18), which will of course become the predom- NHR is exposed for recognition by antibody D5 complexed to FcRI on inant cell type infected with HIV in the developing course of in- the target cells. Prepositioning of D5 in this way greatly enhances the fection. A positive result for D5 protection in NHPs would inspire ability of the antibody to inhibit viral entry. The modeling used known further work in the animal model on vaccine-induced protection structures and interaction sites where available. The Fc portion of a human FcγR I/Fc complex (Protein Data Bank [PDB] ID code 4W4O, and the possibilities of translating findings to humans. red) was superimposed on the Fc of human IgG (IgG b12, modified Finally, the enhanced neutralization described by bringing from PDB ID code 1HZH, dark and light blue) and extracted. The NHR is nAbs in close proximity to the membrane of target cells may have represented by the coordinates of a gp41 NHR trimer mimetic (PDB ID utility in terms of bifunctional antibody constructs combining code 6R2G, orange) and the rest of gp41 is represented schematically as in figure 5 of ref. 11. To avoid structural clashes, the immunoglobulin specificity for HIV with specificity for a target cell antigen. Indeed, Fab arms are bent away from the bound FcRI, and the Fc portion is lain one such “CrossMAb” incorporating the MPER bnAb 10E8 and flat parallel to the surface of the host cell membrane (pink). The figure anti-CD4 has been described and is now under clinical evaluation can be compared to the tight space modeled for the interaction of an (19). The anti-CD4 specificity in that construct is as an active in- FcRIIa-bound IgG molecule bound to the envelope proteins of an hibitor of viral entry but also tethers the MPER Ab to the target cell alphavirus (20). Modeling and three-dimensional rendering by Christina Corbaci and Lars Hangartner. surface at precisely the location for viral entry on the cell mem- brane. A similar result is found for 10E8 linked to an anti-CCR5 specificity. Following the studies described here, more tethering 5,000. The effect is shown to be dependent on the Fc region of constructs could be readily envisaged and evaluated. the antibody. Furthermore, immunization of guinea pigs with an NHR-based immunogen generates antisera that show neutralizing Acknowledgments I thank Lars Hangartner and Christina Corbaci for help with the figure. I activity dependent upon FcR expression on the target cells. The acknowledge the financial support of the National Institute of Allergy and explanation for the results, similar to the MPER bnAbs, is that the Infectious Diseases, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the International prepositioning of the D5 and polyclonal NHR Abs on the FcR AIDS Vaccine Initiative, and the James B. Pendleton Charitable Trust. 1 P. J. Klasse, Neutralization of virus infectivity by antibodies: Old problems in new perspectives. Adv. Biol. 2014, 157895 (2014). 2 A. J. Hessell, D. C. Malherbe, N. L. Haigwood, Passive and active antibody studies in primates to inform HIV vaccines. Expert Rev. Vaccines 17,127–144 (2018).
Recommended publications
  • COVID-19 Natural Immunity
    COVID-19 natural immunity Scientific brief 10 May 2021 Key Messages: • Within 4 weeks following infection, 90-99% of individuals infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus develop detectable neutralizing antibodies. • The strength and duration of the immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 are not completely understood and currently available data suggests that it varies by age and the severity of symptoms. Available scientific data suggests that in most people immune responses remain robust and protective against reinfection for at least 6-8 months after infection (the longest follow up with strong scientific evidence is currently approximately 8 months). • Some variant SARS-CoV-2 viruses with key changes in the spike protein have a reduced susceptibility to neutralization by antibodies in the blood. While neutralizing antibodies mainly target the spike protein, cellular immunity elicited by natural infection also target other viral proteins, which tend to be more conserved across variants than the spike protein. The ability of emerging virus variants (variants of interest and variants of concern) to evade immune responses is under investigation by researchers around the world. • There are many available serologic assays that measure the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, but at the present time, the correlates of protection are not well understood. Objective of the scientific brief This scientific brief replaces the WHO Scientific Brief entitled “’Immunity passports’ in the context of COVID-19”, published 24 April 2020.1 This update is focused on what is currently understood about SARS-CoV-2 immunity from natural infection. More information about considerations on vaccine certificates or “passports”will be covered in an update of WHO interim guidance, as requested by the COVID-19 emergency committee.2 Methods A rapid review on the subject was undertaken and scientific journals were regularly screened for articles on COVID-19 immunity to ensure to include all large and robust studies available in the literature at the time of writing.
    [Show full text]
  • Anti-SARS-Cov-2 Neutralizing Antibodies
    August 28, 2020 Edition 2020-08-28 (43) *** Available on-line at https://www.cdc.gov/library/covid19 *** Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies Anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) can be found in persons who have recovered from COVID-19. Characterizing NAb activity might provide relevant data for understanding NAbs levels needed for natural protection against reinfection. It could also help determine the optimal design and dosing of vaccines. PEER-REVIEWED A. Evaluating the association of clinical characteristics with neutralizing antibody levels in patients who have recovered from mild COVID-19 in Shanghai, China. Wu et al. JAMA Internal Medicine (August 18, 2020). Key findings: • SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralizing antibody (Nab) titers varied substantially, including less than the detectable level of the assay (Figure 1). • NAbs were detected from day 4 to day 6 after symptom onset and peaked at day 10 to day 15. • NAb titers were significantly correlated with levels of spike-binding antibody and plasma C-reactive protein. • NAb titers were significantly higher in men compared with women (p = 0.01) and in middle-aged (40-59 years) and older adults (60-85 years) compared with persons 15-39 years, p <0.001 (Figure 2). Methods: Cohort study of 175 patients with laboratory-confirmed mild COVID-19 hospitalized from January 24 to February 26, 2020 at a single hospital in Shanghai, China. Plasma was tested for SARS-CoV-2–specific NAbs titers and virus spike-binding antibodies every 2 to 4 days from admission until discharge and then two weeks after discharge. Limitations: Single setting; results might not be generalizable.
    [Show full text]
  • Coevolution of HIV-1 and Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies
    HHS Public Access Author manuscript Author ManuscriptAuthor Manuscript Author Curr Opin Manuscript Author HIV AIDS. Author Manuscript Author manuscript; available in PMC 2020 October 13. Published in final edited form as: Curr Opin HIV AIDS. 2019 July ; 14(4): 286–293. doi:10.1097/COH.0000000000000550. Coevolution of HIV-1 and broadly neutralizing antibodies Nicole A. Doria-Rosea, Elise Landaisb aVaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland bIAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, Immunology and Microbiology Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA Abstract Purpose of review—Exploring the molecular details of the coevolution of HIV-1 Envelope with broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) in infected individuals over time provides insights for vaccine design. Since mid-2017, the number of individuals described in such publications has nearly tripled. New publications have extended such studies to new epitopes on Env and provided more detail on previously known sites. Recent findings—Studies of two donors – one of them an infant, the other with three lineages targeting the same site – has deepened our understanding of V3-glycan-directed lineages. A V2- apex-directed lineage showed remarkable similarity to a lineage from a previously described donor, revealing general principles for this class of bNAbs. Understanding development of CD4 binding site antibodies has been enriched by the study of a VRC01-class lineage. Finally, the membrane-proximal external region is a new addition to the set of epitopes studied in this manner, with early development events explored in a study of three lineages from a single donor.
    [Show full text]
  • Rapid Induction of Antigen-Specific CD4+ T Cells Guides Coordinated Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses to SARS-Cov-2 Mrna Vaccination
    bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.04.21.440862; this version posted April 22, 2021. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. Rapid induction of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells guides coordinated humoral and cellular immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination Authors: Mark M. Painter1,2, †, Divij Mathew1,2, †, Rishi R. Goel1,2, †, Sokratis A. Apostolidis1,2,3, †, Ajinkya Pattekar2, Oliva Kuthuru1, Amy E. Baxter1, Ramin S. Herati4, Derek A. Oldridge1,5, Sigrid Gouma6, Philip Hicks6, Sarah Dysinger6, Kendall A. Lundgreen6, Leticia Kuri-Cervantes1,6, Sharon Adamski2, Amanda Hicks2, Scott Korte2, Josephine R. Giles1,7,8, Madison E. Weirick6, Christopher M. McAllister6, Jeanette Dougherty1, Sherea Long1, Kurt D’Andrea1, Jacob T. Hamilton2,6, Michael R. Betts1,6, Paul Bates6, Scott E. Hensley6, Alba Grifoni9, Daniela Weiskopf9, Alessandro Sette9, Allison R. Greenplate1,2, E. John Wherry1,2,7,8,* Affiliations 1 Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA 2 Immune Health™, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA 3 Division of Rheumatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA 4 NYU Langone Vaccine Center, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 5 Department
    [Show full text]
  • SARS-Cov-2 Igg/Neutralizing Antibody Rapid Test Kit (Colloidal Gold) Instructions for Use (IFU)
    accuracy. SARS-CoV-2 IgG/Neutralizing antibody Rapid Test Kit 7. Performing the assay outside the prescribed time and temperature ranges may produce invalid results. Assays not falling within the established time and temperature ranges must be repeated. (Colloidal Gold) 8. The components in this kit have been quality control tested as a master lot unit. Do not mix components from different lot numbers. Do not mix with components from other manufacturers. Instructions for Use (IFU) 9. Care should be exercised to protect the reagents in this kit from contamination. Do not use if there is evidence of microbial 【PRODUCT NAME】 contamination or precipitation. Biological contamination of dispensing equipment, containers or reagents can lead to false results. Do SARS-CoV-2 IgG/Neutralizing antibody Rapid Test Kit (Colloidal Gold) not heat-inactivate samples. 【PACKAGE AND SPECIFICATION】 10. Keep storage boxes dry. 11. Do not use test cassettes if foil pouch is punctured or damaged. 20Tests/box (1Test ×20) 、40 Tests /box (1Test ×40) 12. Testing materials should be disposed of in accordance with local, state and/or federal regulations. 【INTENDED USE】 13. Do not use after expiration date. For in vitro qualitative detect of human IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and neutralizing antibodies that block the interaction between the 14. Please read the instructions carefully before operation and follow the instructions. receptor binding domain of the viral spike glycoprotein (RBD) with the ACE2 cell surface receptor in serum, plasma and whole blood. This test 15. Please use fresh samples as much as possible, and avoid using samples contaminated with bacteria, hemolysis, jaundice, or excessive is only provided for use by clinical laboratories or to healthcare workers for point-of-care testing.
    [Show full text]
  • Virus Evolution and Neutralization Sensitivity in an HIV-1 Subtype B' Infected Plasma Donor with Broadly Neutralizing Activi
    Article Virus Evolution and Neutralization Sensitivity in an HIV-1 Subtype B0 Infected Plasma Donor with Broadly Neutralizing Activity Yuanyuan Hu †, Sen Zou † , Zheng Wang, Ying Liu, Li Ren, Yanling Hao, Shasha Sun, Xintao Hu ‡ , Yuhua Ruan, Liying Ma, Yiming Shao and Kunxue Hong * State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; [email protected] (Y.H.); [email protected] (S.Z.); [email protected] (Z.W.); [email protected] (Y.L.); [email protected] (L.R.); [email protected] (Y.H.); [email protected] (S.S.); [email protected] (X.H.); [email protected] (Y.R.); [email protected] (L.M.); [email protected] (Y.S.) * Correspondence: [email protected] † These authors contributed equally. ‡ Present address: Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA. Abstract: We sought to analyze the evolutionary characteristics and neutralization sensitivity of viruses in a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtype B0 infected plasma donor with broadly neutralizing activity, which may provide information for new broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) isolation and immunogen design. A total of 83 full-length envelope genes were obtained by Citation: Hu, Y.; Zou, S.; Wang, Z.; single-genome amplification (SGA) from the patient’s plasma at three consecutive time points (2005, Liu, Y.; Ren, L.; Hao, Y.; Sun, S.; Hu, 2006, and 2008) spanning four years. In addition, 28 Env-pseudotyped viruses were constructed X.; Ruan, Y.; Ma, L.; et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Neutralizing Antibody Response of Vaccinees to SARS-Cov-2 Variants
    Brief Report Neutralizing Antibody Response of Vaccinees to SARS-CoV-2 Variants Gabriele Anichini 1 , Chiara Terrosi 1, Gianni Gori Savellini 1 , Claudia Gandolfo 1 , Federico Franchi 2 and Maria Grazia Cusi 1,* 1 Virology Unit, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Siena University Hospital, 53100 Siena, Italy; [email protected] (G.A.); [email protected] (C.T.); [email protected] (G.G.S.); [email protected] (C.G.) 2 Emergency, Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, Siena University Hospital, 53100 Siena, Italy; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Due to their increased transmissibility, three variants of high concern have emerged in the United Kingdom (also known as B.1.1.7 lineage or VOC-202012/01), South Africa (B.1.351 lineage), and Brazil (P1 lineage) with multiple substitutions in the spike protein. Since neutralizing antibodies elicited by vaccination are likely considered as correlates of protection for SARS-CoV-2 infection, it is important to analyze whether vaccinees with mRNA BNT162b2 are equally protected against these emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. To this aim, we enrolled healthy subjects one month after complete vaccination with Comirnaty and evaluated the neutralizing response against the native Wuhan strain and the emerging B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and P1 lineages, by using the microneutralization assay, currently considered the gold standard test for the evaluation and detection of functional neutralizing antibodies. The most remarkable finding of this study was the significantly lower neutralizing antibody titer against B.1.351 lineage, compared to the wild-type virus.
    [Show full text]
  • COVID-19: Mechanisms of Vaccination and Immunity
    Review COVID-19: Mechanisms of Vaccination and Immunity Daniel E. Speiser 1,* and Martin F. Bachmann 2,3,4,* 1 Department of Oncology, University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1066 Lausanne, Switzerland 2 International Immunology Centre, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China 3 Department of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergology, Inselspital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland 4 Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland * Correspondence: [email protected] (D.E.S.); [email protected] (M.F.B.) Received: 2 July 2020; Accepted: 20 July 2020; Published: 22 July 2020 Abstract: Vaccines are needed to protect from SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. Vaccines that induce large quantities of high affinity virus-neutralizing antibodies may optimally prevent infection and avoid unfavorable effects. Vaccination trials require precise clinical management, complemented with detailed evaluation of safety and immune responses. Here, we review the pros and cons of available vaccine platforms and options to accelerate vaccine development towards the safe immunization of the world’s population against SARS-CoV-2. Favorable vaccines, used in well-designed vaccination strategies, may be critical for limiting harm and promoting trust and a long-term return to normal public life and economy. Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; nucleic acid tests; serology; vaccination; immunity 1. Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic holds great challenges for which the world is only partially prepared [1]. SARS-CoV-2 combines serious pathogenicity with high infectivity. The latter is enhanced by the fact that asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic individuals can transmit the virus, in contrast to SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV, which were transmitted by symptomatic patients and could be contained more efficiently [2,3].
    [Show full text]
  • Escape from Neutralizing Antibodies by SARS-Cov-2 Spike Protein Variants
    RESEARCH ARTICLE Escape from neutralizing antibodies by SARS-CoV-2 spike protein variants Yiska Weisblum1†, Fabian Schmidt1†, Fengwen Zhang1, Justin DaSilva1, Daniel Poston1, Julio CC Lorenzi2, Frauke Muecksch1, Magdalena Rutkowska1, Hans-Heinrich Hoffmann3, Eleftherios Michailidis3, Christian Gaebler2, Marianna Agudelo2, Alice Cho2, Zijun Wang2, Anna Gazumyan2, Melissa Cipolla2, Larry Luchsinger4, Christopher D Hillyer4, Marina Caskey2, Davide F Robbiani2,5, Charles M Rice3, Michel C Nussenzweig2,6, Theodora Hatziioannou1*, Paul D Bieniasz1,6* 1Laboratory of Retrovirology, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States; 2Laboratory of Molecular Immunology The Rockefeller University, New York, United States; 3Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease The Rockefeller University, New York, United States; 4Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, United States; 5Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Universita` della Svizzera italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland; 6Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States Abstract Neutralizing antibodies elicited by prior infection or vaccination are likely to be key for future protection of individuals and populations against SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, passively administered antibodies are among the most promising therapeutic and prophylactic anti-SARS- CoV-2 agents. However, the degree to which SARS-CoV-2 will adapt to evade neutralizing antibodies is unclear. Using a recombinant chimeric VSV/SARS-CoV-2 reporter virus, we show that functional SARS-CoV-2 S protein variants with mutations in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and *For correspondence: N-terminal domain that confer resistance to monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma can be [email protected] (TH); [email protected] (PDB) readily selected. Notably, SARS-CoV-2 S variants that resist commonly elicited neutralizing antibodies are now present at low frequencies in circulating SARS-CoV-2 populations.
    [Show full text]
  • Spike-Specific Circulating T Follicular Helper Cell and Cross-Neutralizing Antibody Responses in COVID-19-Convalescent Individuals
    LETTERS https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-020-00824-5 Spike-specific circulating T follicular helper cell and cross-neutralizing antibody responses in COVID-19-convalescent individuals Jian Zhang 1,15, Qian Wu1,15, Ziyan Liu1,15, Qijie Wang2,15, Jiajing Wu3,4,15, Yabin Hu1,15, Tingting Bai5, Ting Xie2, Mincheng Huang2, Tiantian Wu6, Danhong Peng2, Weijin Huang 3, Kun Jin1, Ling Niu1, Wangyuan Guo1, Dixian Luo1, Dongzhu Lei1, Zhijian Wu1, Guicheng Li1, Renbin Huang1, Yingbiao Lin1, Xiangping Xie2, Shuangyan He2, Yunfan Deng7, Jianghua Liu8, Weilang Li9, Zhongyi Lu10, Haifu Chen11, Ting Zeng2, Qingting Luo12, Yi-Ping Li 6 ✉ , Youchun Wang 3 ✉ , Wenpei Liu 1,5,13 ✉ and Xiaowang Qu 1,14 ✉ Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by infec- individuals and facilitate the treatment and vaccine develop- tion with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 ment for SARS-CoV-2 infection. (SARS-CoV-2)1–3 and individuals with COVID-19 have symp- To investigate the antibody response after recovery from coro- toms that can be asymptomatic, mild, moderate or severe4,5. In navirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), 67 convalescent individuals the early phase of infection, T- and B-cell counts are substan- were recruited for this study, and blood was drawn on day 28 after tially decreased6,7; however, IgM8–11 and IgG12–14 are detectable discharge. The baseline clinical characteristics and laboratory find- within 14 d after symptom onset. In COVID-19-convalescent ings on admission were retrospectively analysed (Extended Data individuals, spike-specific neutralizing antibodies are vari- Figs. 1 and 2). The binding and avidity of an antibody to a specific able3,15,16.
    [Show full text]
  • Cytokine Neutralization, in Vitro Research Use Only
    Bioassays– BestProtocols® Page 1 of 6 Cytokine Neutralization, In Vitro Research Use Only Introduction Antibodies that block binding of cytokines to their specific receptors and neutralize their effects are critical in studies of cytokine function. The following four protocols describe in vitro bioassays using neutralizing anti-mouse and anti-human cytokine antibodies. Protocol A: Antibody Neutralization of Cytokine-Induced Proliferation of Indicator Cell Lines Protocol B: Antibody Neutralization of TNF-α-Induced Killing of L929 Cell Line Protocol C: Antibody Neutralization of IFN-γ-Protection from Viral Infection of L929 and A549 Cell Lines Protocol D: Antibody Neutralization of Cytokine-Induced Cytokine Production In general, the cytokine bioassay protocols are modified to pre-incubate the cytokine of interest with the specific neutralizing antibody prior to addition to the responding cells. This prevents cytokine binding to its receptor on the responding cells, thereby inhibiting the cytokine effect. The chart below summarizes the general optimized experimental conditions for the neutralization assays using indicator cell lines. When working with other cell types, cytokine concentrations, neutralizing antibody concentrations and incubation times may need to be determined by the investigator. Protocol A: Antibody Neutralization of Cytokine-Induced Proliferation of Indicator Cell Lines Materials . Indicator cell line (see Quick Guide Chart for a given cytokine) . Culture Medium (RPMI supplemented with 10% FBS) . Assay Medium (RPMI supplemented with 10% FBS) . 96-well flat-bottom culture plate (Costar Cat. No. 3595) . MTT solution (Sigma Cat. No. M5655) 5mg/ml stock in PBS kept at room temperature (protect from light) . MTT Lysing solution 20% SDS/50% DMF Instruments . Pipettes and pipettors .
    [Show full text]
  • Specific Cytotoxic T Cells Eliminate Cells Producing Neutralizing
    LETTERS TO NATURE Specific cytotoxic T cells a eliminate cells producing neutralizing antibodies 0 oi Oliver Planz, Peter Seiler, Hans Hengartner g b & Rolf M. Zinkernagel E ai Institute for Experimental Immunology, Department of Pathology, C. University of Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland :;::;i "'2 IN medically important infections with cytopathic viruses, neu­ > tralizing antibodies are generated within 6-14 days. In contrast, such protective antibodies appear late (50-150 days) after infec­ tion with immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) in humans, or lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus 2 (LCMV) in mice1-6. However, during these infections, non­ <1.7-ce.--r---+---+-,i,-c'-"9--+------+-- neutralizing antibodies appear much earlier2·6•7• It has been o 5 101520 40 60 80 proposed that T cells suppress antibody responses generally Time (days) and against viruses in vitro 6·S-10• Here we show that the suppres­ sion of neutralizing-antibody responses in LCMV infections in FIG. 1 Kinetics of neutralizing and non-neutralizing antibody responses to mice is due to selective infection of neutralizing-antibody­ LCMV. a, BALB/c mice were infected i.v. with 102 PFU of LCMV-WE. Virus producing B cells by this non-cytopathic virus, and their sub­ titre ( •) in the blood of these mice is usually not detectable. Nucleoprotein­ sequent destruction by virus-specific cytotoxic T cells. Such specitic antibodies (A) appear between days 6 and 8 after infection and stay specific B-cell elimination that leads to a delay in neutralizing­ at a constant level during the whole observation period; the cross in antibody production could help to establish persistent virus parentheses indicates that only 20% of BALB/c mice infected with infections by non-cytopathic viruses.
    [Show full text]