Structural Basis of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV Antibody Interactions

Trends Immunol. 2020 Nov;41(11):1006-1022. doi: 10.1016/j.it.2020.09.004. Epub 2020 Sep 17.

Abstract

The 2019 coronavirus pandemic remains a major public health concern. Neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) represent a cutting-edge antiviral strategy. We focus here on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and SARS-CoV, and discuss current progress in antibody research against rampant SARS-CoV-2 infections. We provide a perspective on the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2-derived nAbs, comparing these with existing SARS-CoV-derived antibodies. We offer insight into how these antibodies cross-react and cross-neutralize by analyzing available structures of spike (S) glycoprotein-antibody complexes. We also propose ways of adopting antibody-based strategies - such as cocktail antibody therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 - to overcome the possible resistance of currently identified mutants and mitigate possible antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) pathologies. This review provides a platform for the progression of antibody and vaccine design against SARS-CoV-2, and possibly against future coronavirus pandemics.

Keywords: COVID-19; S glycoprotein; SARS-CoV; SARS-CoV-2; antibodies; hACE-2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / metabolism
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / metabolism
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Viral / metabolism
  • Betacoronavirus / immunology*
  • Betacoronavirus / metabolism
  • Betacoronavirus / physiology
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Humans
  • Pandemics / prevention & control
  • Pneumonia, Viral / immunology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • Protein Binding
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / immunology*
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / metabolism
  • Viral Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Viral Vaccines / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Viral Vaccines