SARS-CoV-2 antibodies for specificity and
function in clinical infection and asymptomatic
cases: abridged secondary publication
S Valkenburg, JT Wu, K Leung, M Peiris
LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Antibody responses after SARS-CoV-2 infection are strongest against nucleocapsid, followed by ORF8, ORF3d, and ORF7a, surpassing the spike protein as a diagnostic target.
- ORF8 is a sensitive and specific diagnostic target; use of combined antigens can further enhance specificity.
- Children exhibit lower-magnitude antibody responses but demonstrate higher avidity and greater Fc receptor function per antibody. Their responses appear more specific and directly mature against SARS-CoV-2.
- The Luciferase Immunoprecipitation System is a useful experimental approach for antigen discovery against novel outbreak viruses, particularly when reagents are limited and only viral RNA is available. This platform may be adapted for other viruses of interest.
- Fc receptor functions of spike antibodies should be assessed after vaccination.