Impact of Covishield Vaccination in Terms of SARS CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody Expression.

The vaccination efficacy can indirectly be assessed through the quantification of neutralizing antibodies. Very few data are available on Covishield efficacy in terms of neutralizing antibody expression upon vaccination. This study is focused on profiling of neutralizing antibody expression during and after the Covishield two shot vaccination and observing COVID-19 infection in vaccinated participants during the period. SARS CoV-2 neutralizing antibody concentrations in samples were estimated using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay kit for Lifotronics eCL8000. The sampling had been done sequentially at 45th, 85th day after 1st dose and 15th day after 2nd dose Covishield vaccination. Parallelly, in order to confirm the total SARS CoV-2 IgG response in COVID-19 infection, measured the IgG using SARS CoV-2 IgG lateral flow immunoassay test kit. The subjects previously infected with COVID-19 before 1st dose vaccination demonstrated high neutralizing antibody (> 10AU/ml). In COVID-19 uninfected subjects, there was a sudden incline in neutralizing antibody after the 2nd dose. Infection with SARS CoV-2 between 1st and 2nd dose of Covishield vaccination implicate that the level of neutralizing antibody in serum after 1st dose was not adequate to combat the virus and prevent infection. We observed COVID-19 infection in participants even after 2nd dose of vaccination. Interestingly, there was no protection against SARS CoV-2 even with a high neutralizing antibody expression of 188.5 AU/mL after the 2nd dose. Findings of Covishield efficacy in different cohort samples before and after 2 doses of Covishield vaccination provide impetus for improvement or development of next generation vaccines.

Diagnostic Accuracy of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Antigen Self-Test in Comparison to Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction.

BACKGROUND: Currently, the rapid antigen test (RAT) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) are considered the main stakeholders in COVID-19 diagnosis. In RT-PCR, any of at least 2 evolutionary conserved genes (RdRP, E-, N-, ORF1ab gene) and S-gene of SARS-CoV-2 are endorsed, and in RAT, the nucleocapsid antigen (N-Ag) of SARS-CoV-2 is considered due to its stability and fewer chances of mutation effects. In the present work, we evaluated the performance of the AG-Q COVID-19 N-Ag self-test kit and conducted a validation study in comparison with the RT-PCR. METHODS: AG-Q COVID-19 N-Ag rapid test kit is an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) approved product developed and marketed by Agappe Diagnostics Limited. The RT-PCR assay was performed with a COVIPATH COVID-19 RT-PCR kit from Thermo Fisher Scientific. RESULTS: We observed 19 false-negative results in antigen self-tests, including samples of threshold cycle (Ct) values 22/22 (N-gene/ORF1ab-gene) in RT-PCR, indicating inadequate sampling by the patients in self-tests, leading to false-negative results and increased chances of the disease spreading. Based on the RT-PCR Ct value vs antigen self-test comparison, it is evident that proper sampling is crucial in performing antigen self-tests. Also, there were weak positive results in antigen self-tests with a Ct value of 18/19 in RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: Although the sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy offered by the AG-Q COVID-19 N-Antigen self-test in comparison with RT-PCR fulfills the ICMR tenets for RAT, this study recommends the laboratory/hospital-based RAT execution would be appropriate, rather than the self-test.

Sequential Profiling of Anti-SARS CoV-2 IgG Antibody in Post COVID-19 Patients.

Upon SARS CoV-2 infection, humoral immune system triggers production of anti-SARS CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies. Currently, antibodies against SARS CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain play a central role in disease protection, making them potential target for in vitro diagnostics applications. This study determines the expression level and sustainability of anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) SARS CoV-2 IgG in post COVID-19 patients. Anti-RBD SARS CoV-2 IgG antibodies in patient serum were analysed by standardised indirect ELISA using SARS CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain protein and HRP conjugated anti-human IgG antibody (anti-h IgG). The study was conducted using 35 adult patient samples with confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection. Additionally, correlation between antibody response after each stage and disease symptoms in post COVID-19 patients were studied. Maximum antibody titre was seen at Day 40 and decreased relatively to Day 180 in antibody positive samples when compared with controls. Overall, more IgG antibody expression is observed in patients who suffered from loss of smell and taste at Day 40. 71% of the positive subjects in this study showed high SARS CoV-2 IgG antibody concentration of above 10 ng/mL and 37% showed strong antibody concentration above 20 ng/mL at the peak of seroconversion.

Stabilin receptors clear LPS and control systemic inflammation.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) cause lethal endotoxemia if not rapidly cleared from blood circulation. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) systemically clear LPS by unknown mechanisms. We discovered that LPS clearance through LSEC involves endocytosis and lysosomal inactivation via Stabilin-1 and 2 (Stab1 and Stab2) but does not involve TLR4. Cytokine production was inversely related to clearance/endocytosis of LPS by LSEC. When exposed to LPS, Stabilin double knockout mice (Stab DK) and Stab1 KO, but not Stab2 KO, showed significantly enhanced systemic inflammatory cytokine production and early death compared with WT mice. Stab1 KO is not significantly different from Stab DK in circulatory LPS clearance, LPS uptake and endocytosis by LSEC, and cytokine production. These data indicate that (1) Stab1 receptor primarily facilitates the proactive clearance of LPS and limits TLR4-mediated inflammation and (2) TLR4 and Stab1 are functionally opposing LPS receptors. These findings suggest that endotoxemia can be controlled by optimizing LPS clearance by Stab1.

Development and Troubleshooting in Lateral Flow Immunochromatography Assays.

The development of Lateral Flow Immunochromatography Assay can be divided into two levels; standardizing membrane characteristics and optimizing molecular level immunoassay reaction between analyte and detector molecules. In the preliminary phase the reaction specificity of capture and detector antibodies with the analyte has to be checked with other techniques like ELISA. Molarity and pH of conjugation buffer have prime importance in the immunoreaction among analyte and antibodies. Epitope mapping of the capture and detector antibodies is also recommended to confirm the specificity of the assay. Standardization of membrane characteristics directly relates to the sensitivity of the assay through its porosity, hydrophobicity, protein holding/releasing capacity and wicking rate. Under optimised condition a perfect Lateral Flow Immunochromatography Assay should have high on-rate (target binding efficiency), low off-rate (target releasing efficiency) and low Cross-reactivity. In this manuscript, we share our experience, especially on developmental strategies and troubleshooting, that we have experienced during Lateral Flow Immunochromatography Assay kit development.

Accelerated Clearance and Degradation of Cell-Free HIV by Neutralizing Antibodies Occurs via FcγRIIb on Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells by Endocytosis.

Neutralizing Abs suppress HIV infection by accelerating viral clearance from blood circulation in addition to neutralization. The elimination mechanism is largely unknown. We determined that human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) express FcγRIIb as the lone Fcγ receptor, and using humanized FcγRIIb mouse, we found that Ab-opsonized HIV pseudoviruses were cleared considerably faster from circulation than HIV by LSEC FcγRIIb. Compared with humanized FcγRIIb-expressing mice, HIV clearance was significantly slower in FcγRIIb knockout mice. Interestingly, a pentamix of neutralizing Abs cleared HIV faster compared with hyperimmune anti-HIV Ig (HIVIG), although the HIV Ab/Ag ratio was higher in immune complexes made of HIVIG and HIV than pentamix and HIV. The effector mechanism of LSEC FcγRIIb was identified to be endocytosis. Once endocytosed, both Ab-opsonized HIV pseudoviruses and HIV localized to lysosomes. This suggests that clearance of HIV, endocytosis, and lysosomal trafficking within LSEC occur sequentially and that the clearance rate may influence downstream events. Most importantly, we have identified LSEC FcγRIIb-mediated endocytosis to be the Fc effector mechanism to eliminate cell-free HIV by Abs, which could inform development of HIV vaccine and Ab therapy.