Poh CM, Carissimo G, Wang B, Amrun SN, Lee CY, Chee RS, Fong SW, Yeo NK, Lee WH, Torres-Ruesta A, Leo YS, Chen MI, Tan SY, Chai LYA, Kalimuddin S, Kheng SSG, Thien SY, Young BE, Lye DC, Hanson BJ, Wang CI, Renia L, Ng LFP. Two Linear Epitopes on the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein That Elicit Neutralising Antibodies in COVID-19 Patients. Nat Commun. 2020 Jun 1;11(1):2806
Abstract:
Given the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, identification of immunogenic targets against the coronavirus spike glycoprotein will provide crucial advances towards the development of sensitive diagnostic tools and potential vaccine candidate targets. In this study, using pools of overlapping linear B-cell peptides, we report two IgG immunodominant regions on SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein that are recognised by sera from COVID-19 convalescent patients. Notably, one is specific to SARS-CoV-2, which is located in close proximity to the receptor binding domain. The other region, which is localised at the fusion peptide, could potentially function as a pan-SARS target. Functionally, antibody depletion assays demonstrate that antibodies targeting these immunodominant regions significantly alter virus neutralisation capacities. Taken together, identification and validation of these neutralising B-cell epitopes will provide insights towards the design of diagnostics and vaccine candidates against this high priority coronavirus.
License type:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Funding Info:
This work was supported by core research grants provided to Singapore Immunology Network by the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC), and by the A*ccelerate GAP-funded project (ACCL/19-GAP064-R20H-H) from the Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Subject recruitment and sample collection were funded by the National Medical Research Council (NMRC) COVID-19 Research fund (COVID19RF-001)
Description:
Open Access: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-16638-2