The SARS CoV-2 spike directed non-neutralizing polyclonal antibodies cross-react with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) gp41

Abstract

Cross-reactivity among the two diverse viruses is believed to originate from the concept of antibodies recognizing similar epitopes on the two viral surfaces. Cross-reactive antibody responses have been seen in previous variants of SARS and SARS-CoV-2, but little is known about the cross reactivity with other similar RNA viruses like HIV-1. In the present study, we examined the reactivity the SARS-CoV-2 directed antibodies, via spike, immunized mice sera and demonstrated whether they conferred any cross-reactive neutralization against HIV-1. Our findings show that SARS-CoV-2 spike immunized mice antibodies cross-react with the HIV-1 Env protein. Cross-neutralization among the two viruses is uncommon, suggesting the presence of a non-neutralizing antibody response to conserved epitopes amongst the two viruses. Our results indicate, that SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody cross reactivity is targeted towards the gp41 region of the HIV-1 Env (gp160) protein. Overall, our investigation not only answers a crucial question about the understanding of cross-reactive epitopes of antibodies generated in different viral infections, but also provides critical evidence for developing vaccine immunogens and novel treatment strategies with enhanced efficacy capable of recognising diverse pathogens with similar antigenic features.

Non-neutralizing antibodies: Deleterious or propitious during SARS-CoV-2 infection?

“…This presence has been related to a lower COVID-19 morbidity/mortality in this populations [42] , [43] . Plasmodium and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), both microorganisms being endemic in Africa, have been shown to induce in patients nNAbs that can cross-react with SARS-CoV-2, but these antibodies do not correlate with more severe forms of COVID-19 disease [44] , [45] , [46] . Polyclonal plasma from HIV-infected children cross-reacts with SARS-CoV-2 but, to our knowledge, there are no data in the literature on their possible involvement in ADE [47] .…”

Cross‐reactivity of SARS‐CoV‐2 with other pathogens, especially dengue virus: A historical perspective

“…[23][24][25][26] Few reports on partial crossreactivity between SARS-CoV-2 and hepatitis B virus (HBV surface antigen/HBsAg) and HIV-1 (gp41 region of the HIV-1 envelope (env) gp160 protein) have been published. 27,28 Again, the Abs were non-neutralizing in nature and showed no evidence of cross-protection, to date.…”

“…However, most studies have found that Abs to other human CoVs (especially spike Abs) were minimally or non‐neutralizing for SARS‐CoV‐2 23–26 . Few reports on partial cross‐reactivity between SARS‐CoV‐2 and hepatitis B virus (HBV surface antigen/HBsAg) and HIV‐1 (gp41 region of the HIV‐1 envelope (env) gp160 protein) have been published 27,28 . Again, the Abs were non‐neutralizing in nature and showed no evidence of cross‐protection, to date.…”

Characterization and immunogenicity assessment of MERS-CoV pre-fusion spike trimeric oligomers as vaccine immunogen

“…Previous studies were shown the sialic acid present in the virus envelope protein N glycans are cross-reactive. 37–39 In order to confirm the cross binding due to N-glycans, N-Glycans present in M-CoV-S protein was removed after de-glycosylation with PNGase-F enzyme as described in Materials and Methods section. We found shifting in the molecular weight upon de-glycosylation but the serum specific to SARS-CoV-1-RBD (Supplementary Fig.…”