Potent neutralizing antibodies from COVID-19 patients define multiple targets of vulnerability

Brouwer, P.; Caniels, T.; van Straten, K.; Snitselaar, J.; Aldon, Y.; Bangaru, S.; Torres, J.; Okba, N.; Claireaux, M.; Kerster, G.; Bentlage, A.; van Haaren, M.; Guerra, D.; Burger, J.; Schermer, E.; Verheul, K.; van der Velde, N.; van der Kooi, A.; van Schooten, J.; van Breemen, M.; Bijl, T.; Sliepen, K.; Aartse, A.; Derking, R.; Bontjer, I.; Kootstra, N.; Wiersinga, J.; Vidarsson, G.; Haagmans, B.; Ward, A.; de Bree, G.; Sanders, R.; van Gils, M.

doi:10.1101/2020.05.12.088716

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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.05.12.088716

Potent neutralizing antibodies from COVID-19 patients define multiple targets of vulnerability

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Abstract

The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 has a significant impact on global health, travel and economy. Therefore, preventative and therapeutic measures are urgently needed. Here, we isolated neutralizing antibodies from convalescent COVID-19 patients using a SARS-CoV-2 stabilized prefusion spike protein. Several of these antibodies were able to potently inhibit live SARS-CoV-2 infection at concentrations as low as 0.007 {micro}g/mL, making them the most potent human SARS-CoV-2 antibodies described to date. Mapping studies revealed that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein contained multiple distinct antigenic sites, including several receptor-binding domain (RBD) epitopes as well as previously undefined non-RBD epitopes. In addition to providing guidance for vaccine design, these mAbs are promising candidates for treatment and prevention of COVID-19.

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Brouwer, P., Caniels, T., van Straten, K., Snitselaar, J., Aldon, Y., Bangaru, S., Torres, J., Okba, N., Claireaux, M., Kerster, G., Bentlage, A., van Haaren, M., Guerra, D., Burger, J., Schermer, E., Verheul, K., van der Velde, N., van der Kooi, A., van Schooten, J., van Breemen, M., Bijl, T., Sliepen, K., Aartse, A., Derking, R., Bontjer, I., Kootstra, N., Wiersinga, J., Vidarsson, G., Haagmans, B., Ward, A., de Bree, G., Sanders, R., van Gils, M.. 2020-05-12. Potent neutralizing antibodies from COVID-19 patients define multiple targets of vulnerability. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.12.088716

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