A functional assay for serum detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein.
EMBO J
; 40(17): e108588, 2021 09 01.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1332432
ABSTRACT
The humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 results in antibodies against spike (S) and nucleoprotein (N). However, whilst there are widely available neutralization assays for S antibodies, there is no assay for N-antibody activity. Here, we present a simple in vitro method called EDNA (electroporated-antibody-dependent neutralization assay) that provides a quantitative measure of N-antibody activity in unpurified serum from SARS-CoV-2 convalescents. We show that N antibodies neutralize SARS-CoV-2 intracellularly and cell-autonomously but require the cytosolic Fc receptor TRIM21. Using EDNA, we show that low N-antibody titres can be neutralizing, whilst some convalescents possess serum with high titres but weak activity. N-antibody and N-specific T-cell activity correlates within individuals, suggesting N antibodies may protect against SARS-CoV-2 by promoting antigen presentation. This work highlights the potential benefits of N-based vaccines and provides an in vitro assay to allow the antibodies they induce to be tested.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Antibodies, Neutralizing
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
/
Antibodies, Viral
Topics:
Vaccines
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
EMBO J
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Embj.2021108588
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS