Human monoclonal antibodies block the binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptor

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global pandemic of novel corona virus disease (COVID-19). To date, no prophylactic vaccines or approved therapeutic agents are available for preventing and treating this highly transmittable disease. Here we report two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) cloned from memory B cells of patients recently recovered from COVID-19, and both mAbs specifically bind to the spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2, block the binding of receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 to human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (hACE2), and effectively neutralize S protein-pseudotyped virus infection. These human mAbs hold the promise for the prevention and treatment of the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19.

Distinct Features and Functions of Systemic and Mucosal Humoral Immunity Among SARS-CoV-2 Convalescent Individuals

“…Due to the critical role of the CoV spike (S) protein in viral entry, Abs targeting S, particularly in the receptor binding domain (RBD), have demonstrated their ability to neutralize the infectivity of CoVs (1-5) including SARS-CoV-2 (6)(7)(8). Studies of monoclonal Abs isolated from SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals have shown potent anti-viral effects in vitro and protected against viral challenge in mouse, hamster, and nonhuman primate models (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19), motivating monoclonal antibody-based therapies.…”

Heterogeneous antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain and nucleocapsid with implications for COVID-19 immunity

“…The detection of circulating antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 may inform on immunity to the virus, and ongoing efforts toward sensitive and specific assays include the development of lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay or ELISA. The receptor binding domain of spike protein (S-RBD) emerged as a potential antigen against which humoral immunity may develop, and the role of S-RBD in viral entry suggests antibodies against these proteins may present with neutralizing properties and immunity to COVID-19; recent studies have suggested such a possibility (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15).…”

Features and Functions of Systemic and Mucosal Humoral Immunity Among SARS-CoV-2 Convalescent Individuals

“…Due to the critical role of the spike (S) protein in viral entry, Abs targeting S, particularly in the receptor binding domain (RBD), have been shown to neutralize the infectivity of CoVs (Chan et al, 2009;Sui et al, 2004;ter Meulen et al, 2006;Traggiai et al, 2004;Zhu et al, 2007) including SARS-CoV-2 (Chen et al, 2020;Wang et al, 2020;Ye et al, 2020). Studies of monoclonal Abs isolated from SARS-CoV-2infected individuals have shown potent anti-viral effects in vitro and protection from viral challenge in mouse and nonhuman primate models (Cao et al, 2020;Hassan et al, 2020;Imai et al, 2020;Ju et al, 2020;Pinto et al, 2020;Rogers et al, 2020;Salazar et al, 2020;Shi et al, 2020;Wec et al, 2020;Yuan et al, 2020).…”