Lack of antibody-mediated cross-protection between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV infections.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) shares approximately 80% whole genome sequence identity and 66% spike (S) protein identity with that of SARS-CoV. The cross-neutralization between these viruses is currently not well-defined.

METHODS:

Here, by using the live SARS-CoV-2 virus infection assay as well as HIV-1 based pseudotyped-virus carrying the spike (S) gene of the SARS-CoV-2 (ppSARS-2) and SARS-CoV (ppSARS), we examined whether infections with SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 can induce cross-neutralizing antibodies.

FINDINGS:

We confirmed that SARS-CoV-2 infects cells via angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the functional receptor for SARS-CoV, and we also found that the recombinant receptor binding domain (RBD) of the S protein of SARS-CoV effectively inhibits ppSARS-2 entry in Huh7.5 cells. However, convalescent sera from SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 patients showed high neutralizing activity only against the homologous virus, with no or limited cross-neutralization activity against the other pseudotyped virus. Similar results were also observed in vaccination studies in mice.

INTERPRETATION:

Our study demonstrates that although both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 use ACE2 as a cellular receptor, the neutralization epitopes are not shared by these two closely-related viruses, highlighting challenges towards developing a universal vaccine against SARS-CoV related viruses.

FUNDING:

This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China, the National Major Project for Control and Prevention of Infectious Disease in China, and the One Belt and One Road Major Project for infectious diseases.

• Authors: Ren Yang, Jiaming Lan, Baoying Huang, Ruhan A, Mingqing Lu, Wen Wang, Wenling Wang, Wenhui Li, Yao Deng, Gary Wong, Wenjie Tan
• Journal: EBioMedicine (EBioMedicine) Vol. 58 Pg. 102890 (Aug 2020) ISSN: 2352-3964 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 32707445 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Neutralizing
• Antibodies, Viral
• Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
• spike glycoprotein, SARS-CoV

Topics

• Animals
• Antibodies, Neutralizing (immunology)
• Antibodies, Viral (immunology)
• Antibody Specificity
• Betacoronavirus (genetics, immunology)
• CHO Cells
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cricetinae
• Cricetulus
• Cross Reactions
• Female
• Humans
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (genetics, immunology)
• SARS-CoV-2
• Sequence Homology
• Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus (genetics, immunology)