Vienna (OTS) – Even in a SARS-CoV-2 situation that has now become endemic, mutations of the virus and diseases caused by new variants can still be expected. Although the immunity of the population is present due to infections and vaccinations, vaccinated and vulnerable people repeatedly contract COVID-19. A research team led by Rudolf Valenta from MedUni Vienna summarized the current state of knowledge in a review that only a survey of neutralizing antibodies allows a statement to be made about protection against new infections. In another study, the team analyzed specific characteristics of these neutralizing antibodies and discovered a previously unknown vulnerability of the virus. Both studies were International Journal of Molecular Sciences published.
Three years after the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there are still many unresolved questions and challenges, including those related to future virus mutations. Despite high vaccination rates, many immunized people fall ill with COVID-19 again and again. Previous studies had already shown that the quantity of antibodies collected alone is not meaningful for an assessment of protection against new infections. A recently published overview article on findings from the pandemic by Rudolf Valenta and Pia Gattinger from MedUni Vienna’s Center for Pathophysiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology once again made it clear that, contrary to a widespread opinion, it is not just the presence of the antibodies that is decisive for protection against new infections, but the finding of whether the antibodies involved are sufficiently neutralizing. Only these prevent the virus from docking to human cells. Non-neutralizing antibodies cannot prevent docking to human cells. In usual antibody measurements, however, the properties of the antibodies are usually not differentiated.
Determine timing for booster vaccination
A special serological test is required to determine the neutralizing antibodies. Due to the infectious virus, classic virus neutralization tests can only be carried out in a few highly specialized laboratories under strict safety requirements. A simple method was therefore developed at MedUni Vienna’s Center for Pathophysiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology in 2020, which can be used to quickly examine the protection against new infections against different virus variants in many samples. Analysis of neutralizing antibodies could provide valuable information to determine timing and selection of matched vaccines for booster doses.
“Achilles heel” of the virus discovered
In another study, the team was able to identify a previously unknown Achilles heel of the virus by determining neutralizing antibodies in vaccinated people. It was observed that the ability to defend against viruses is linked to the binding of neutralizing antibodies against a previously unknown epitope, i.e. a specific region on the virus surface. What is remarkable for the researchers is that this is a part of the virus that has not changed in the different virus variants, i.e. a conserved part. This finding is relevant for the production of improved vaccines in order to specifically use such epitopes for production.
Publikationen: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Importance, applications and features of assays measuring SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies
Pia Gattinger, Anna Ohradanova-Repic and Rudolf Valenta
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065352
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/6/5352
Dissection of antibody responses of Gam-COVID-Vac-vaccinated subjects suggests involvement of epitopes outside RBD in SARS-CoV-2 neutralization
Byazrova, M. Gattinger, P. Astakhova, E. Hofer, G. Khaitov, M. Filatov, A. Valenta, R.
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065104
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/6/5104
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