A vaccine-induced public antibody protects against SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants

Immunity. 2021 Sep 14;54(9):2159-2166.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.08.013. Epub 2021 Aug 17.

Abstract

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 antigenic variants with increased transmissibility is a public health threat. Some variants show substantial resistance to neutralization by SARS-CoV-2 infection- or vaccination-induced antibodies. Here, we analyzed receptor binding domain-binding monoclonal antibodies derived from SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine-elicited germinal center B cells for neutralizing activity against the WA1/2020 D614G SARS-CoV-2 strain and variants of concern. Of five monoclonal antibodies that potently neutralized the WA1/2020 D614G strain, all retained neutralizing capacity against the B.1.617.2 variant, four also neutralized the B.1.1.7 variant, and only one, 2C08, also neutralized the B.1.351 and B.1.1.28 variants. 2C08 reduced lung viral load and morbidity in hamsters challenged with the WA1/2020 D614G, B.1.351, or B.1.617.2 strains. Clonal analysis identified 2C08-like public clonotypes among B cells responding to SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination in 41 out of 181 individuals. Thus, 2C08-like antibodies can be induced by SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and mitigate resistance by circulating variants of concern.

Keywords: B cell; SARS-CoV-2; germinal center; hamster; lymph node; mRNA vaccine; neutralizing antibodies; public clone; receptor binding domain; spike protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / metabolism*
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / metabolism*
  • Antibodies, Viral / metabolism*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / immunology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Clone Cells
  • Cricetinae
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Germinal Center / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Lung / virology*
  • Neutralization Tests
  • SARS-CoV-2 / physiology*
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / immunology
  • Vaccination
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • spike protein, SARS-CoV-2