Antibody responses to viruses

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

This research was primarily carried out by the cooperating laboratories. One study characterized several monoclonal antibodies targeting distinct epitopes on the SARS-CoV2 spike protein. One especially potent antibody, XG014, was capable of neutralizing SARS-CoV2 as well as its variants and related viruses (e.g. SARS-CoV) in vitro without displaying an antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) effect seen for some SARS-CoV2 antibodies. XG014 also protected hACE2 transgenic mice from SARS-CoV2 infection. Structural analyses revealed that XG014 has a unique mode of action by recognizing a conserved epitope outside the ACE2 binding site, thereby locking the spike protein in a conformation unable to bind ACE2. In contrast, other antibody family members directly contacted the ACE2 binding site to prevent ACE2 binding. This research shed new light into the human antibody response to SARS-CoV2 and helped to understand the mechanism of action of a broadly neutralizing beta coronavirus antibody.