[PDF][PDF] An infectivity-enhancing site on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein targeted by antibodies

Y Liu, WT Soh, J Kishikawa, M Hirose, EE Nakayama… - Cell, 2021 - cell.com
Y Liu, WT Soh, J Kishikawa, M Hirose, EE Nakayama, S Li, M Sasai, T Suzuki, A Tada…
Cell, 2021cell.com
Antibodies against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the effects of antibodies against other spike
protein domains are largely unknown. Here, we screened a series of anti-spike monoclonal
antibodies from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and found that some of
antibodies against the N-terminal domain (NTD) induced the open conformation of RBD and
thus enhanced the binding capacity of the spike protein to ACE2 and infectivity of SARS …
Summary
Antibodies against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the effects of antibodies against other spike protein domains are largely unknown. Here, we screened a series of anti-spike monoclonal antibodies from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and found that some of antibodies against the N-terminal domain (NTD) induced the open conformation of RBD and thus enhanced the binding capacity of the spike protein to ACE2 and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2. Mutational analysis revealed that all of the infectivity-enhancing antibodies recognized a specific site on the NTD. Structural analysis demonstrated that all infectivity-enhancing antibodies bound to NTD in a similar manner. The antibodies against this infectivity-enhancing site were detected at high levels in severe patients. Moreover, we identified antibodies against the infectivity-enhancing site in uninfected donors, albeit at a lower frequency. These findings demonstrate that not only neutralizing antibodies but also enhancing antibodies are produced during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
cell.com