A combination of cross-neutralizing antibodies synergizes to prevent SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV pseudovirus infection.

Abstract

Coronaviruses have caused several epidemics and pandemics including the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Some prophylactic vaccines and therapeutic antibodies have already showed striking effectiveness against COVID-19. Nevertheless, concerns remain about antigenic drift in SARS-CoV-2 as well as threats from other sarbecoviruses. Cross-neutralizing antibodies to SARS-related viruses provide opportunities to address such concerns. Here, we report on crystal structures of a cross-neutralizing antibody CV38-142 in complex with the receptor binding domains from SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV. Our structural findings provide mechanistic insights into how this antibody can accommodate antigenic variation in these viruses. CV38-142 synergizes with other cross-neutralizing antibodies, in particular COVA1-16, to enhance neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV. Overall, this study provides valuable information for vaccine and therapeutic design to address current and future antigenic drift in SARS-CoV-2 and to protect against zoonotic coronaviruses.

• Authors: Hejun Liu, Meng Yuan, Deli Huang, Sandhya Bangaru, Chang-Chun D Lee, Linghang Peng, Xueyong Zhu, David Nemazee, Marit J van Gils, Rogier W Sanders, Hans-Christian Kornau, S Momsen Reincke, Harald Prüss, Jakob Kreye, Nicholas C Wu, Andrew B Ward, Ian A Wilson
• Journal: bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology (bioRxiv) (Feb 12 2021) United States
• PMID: 33594361 (Publication Type: Preprint)