Viral epitope profiling of COVID-19 patients reveals cross-reactivity and correlates of severity

Understanding humoral responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is critical for improving diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Deep serological profiling of 232 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and 190 pre–COVID-19 era controls using VirScan revealed more than 800 epitopes in the SARS-CoV-2 proteome, including 10 epitopes likely recognized by neutralizing antibodies. Preexisting antibodies in controls recognized SARS-CoV-2 ORF1, whereas only COVID-19 patient antibodies primarily recognized spike protein and nucleoprotein. A machine learning model trained on VirScan data predicted SARS-CoV-2 exposure history with 99% sensitivity and 98% specificity; a rapid Luminex-based diagnostic was developed from the most discriminatory SARS-CoV-2 peptides. Individuals with more severe COVID-19 exhibited stronger and broader SARS-CoV-2 responses, weaker antibody responses to prior infections, and higher incidence of cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus 1, possibly influenced by demographic covariates. Among hospitalized patients, males produce stronger SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses than females.

Source: ScienceNOW - November 26, 2020 Category: Science Authors: Shrock, E., Fujimura, E., Kula, T., Timms, R. T., Lee, I.-H., Leng, Y., Robinson, M. L., Sie, B. M., Li, M. Z., Chen, Y., Logue, J., Zuiani, A., McCulloch, D., Lelis, F. J. N., Henson, S., Monaco, D. R., Travers, M., Habibi, S., Clarke, W. A., Caturegli, Tags: Immunology, Microbiology, Online Only r-articles Source Type: news