SARS-CoV-2 infected Vero cells untreated (left) and treated with neutralizing antibody (right). Credit: Mor M, et al., 2021, PLOS Pathogens, CC BY 4.0
The majority of the population may produce neutralizing antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (EARS-CoV-2) in severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to a study published today (February 11, 2021) in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogen by Michael Mor of Tel Aviv University, and colleagues. Furthermore, the results support the use of combination antibody therapy to prevent and treat COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has had a major impact on global public health. Neutralizing antibodies that specifically target the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein are considered essential for the control of the virus. RBD-specific neutralizing antibodies have been detected in recovering patients – those who have recovered from COVID-19. Some of those cured tend to have robust and long-lasting immunity, while others show a decrease in their neutralizing antibodies. The factors associated with an effective, durable antibody response are still unclear.
To address this knowledge gap, Mor and colleagues used molecular and bioinformatics techniques to compare B cell responses in eight patients with severe COVID-19 and 10 individuals with mild symptoms, 1.5 months after infection. Many sick patients showed higher concentrations of RBD-specific antibodies and increased B-cell expansion. Among 22 antibodies cloned from two of these patients, six showed potent neutralization against SARS-CoV-2.
Bioinformatics analysis indicates that most people in severe cases of COVID-19 tend to produce neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, combinations of different types of neutralizing antibodies completely blocked the spread of the live virus. According to the authors, these antibody cocktails can be tested in clinical settings as a useful way to prevent and treat COVID-19.
“Even with a vaccine on the doorstep, it is very important to arm clinicians with specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs,” the authors add. “Combinations of neutralizing antibodies are a promising approach to effective and safe treatment of severe COVID-19 cases, especially in the elderly population or chronically ill people, who may not be able to produce these antibodies as easily after infection or vaccination.”
Reference: “Multiclonal SARS-CoV-2 Neutralization of Antibodies Isolated from Severe COVID-19 Recovery Donors” by Mor M, Werbner M, Alter J, Safra M, Chomsky E, Lee JC, et al., February 11, 2021, PLOS Pathogen.
DOI: 10.
Funding: This research was funded by the 3711/20 grant from the Israel Science Foundation (NTF) and by the Vice President of Research and Development of Tel Aviv University. NTF is also funded by ISF grant number 41222/18, and Israeli Innovation Authority number 68972. This work was also supported by NIH Grant RO1 HL124209 (BC), the American Asthma Foundation (BC) and the BSF 2017176 (BC), and a career award for medical scientists from the Burroughs Welcome Fund (AFC). The funders played no role in the design of the study, the collection and analysis of data, the decision to publish or compile the manuscript.