Prevalence of Neutralizing Autoantibodies Against Type I Interferon in a Multicenter Cohort of Severe or Critical COVID-19 Cases in Shanghai

Abstract

Objective: We sought to explore the prevalence of type I interferon-neutralizing antibodies in a Chinese cohort and its clinical implications during the Omicron variant wave of SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: Type I interferon (IFN) autoantibodies possessing neutralizing capabilities were identified using luciferase assays. The capacity of the autoantibodies for in vitro interference with antiviral activity of IFN was assessed by using a SARS-CoV-2 replicon system. An analysis of the demographic and clinical profiles of patients exhibiting neutralizing antibodies was also conducted.

Results: In this cohort, 11.8% of severe/critical cases exhibited the existence of type I IFN-neutralizing antibodies, specifically targeting IFN-α2, IFN-ω, or both, with an elderly male patient tendency. Notably, these antibodies exerted a pronounced inhibitory effect on the antiviral activity of IFN against SARS-CoV-2 under controlled in vitro conditions. Furthermore, a noteworthy correlation was discerned between the presence of these neutralizing antibodies and critical clinical parameters, including C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, D-dimer levels, and lymphocyte counts.

Conclusion: The presence of type I IFN-neutralizing antibodies is a pervasive risk factor for severe/critical COVID-19 in the Chinese population.

Keywords: COVID-19; IFN-α2; IFN-ω; Neutralizing antibodies; Type I interferons.