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Published on: February 16, 2022
Cross-reactive antibody against human coronavirus OC43 spike protein correlates with disease severity in COVID-19
Li Guo1,2, Yeming Wang3, Liang Kang4
1NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Insights
Antibodies targeting the HCoV-OC43 spike protein show cross-reactivity with SARS-CoV-2. Higher HCoV-OC43 antibody levels correlate with increased COVID-19 disease severity, particularly in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Seasonal human coronaviruses (HCoVs) are common, but their role in COVID-19 pathogenesis is unclear.
- Understanding cross-immunity between seasonal HCoVs and SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal dynamics of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal HCoVs in COVID-19 patients.
- To assess antigenic cross-reactivity between SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal HCoV spike proteins.
- To evaluate the correlation between HCoV-OC43 antibody levels and COVID-19 disease severity.
Main Methods:
- Profiling temporal changes in S-IgG against SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal HCoVs in 838 plasma samples from 344 COVID-19 patients.
- Testing antigenic cross-reactivities of spike proteins.
- Correlating HCoV-OC43 S-IgG levels with clinical disease severity and mechanical ventilation requirements.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV-2 S-IgG titres peaked at days 22-28; HCoV-OC43 S-IgG titres peaked at days 15-21 and plateaued.
- Significant two-way cross-reactivity was observed between SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43.
- Higher HCoV-OC43 S-IgG titres were associated with severe COVID-19, mechanical ventilation, and correlated with severity in patients over 60 years old.
Conclusions:
- Cross-reactive antibodies against HCoV-OC43 spike protein are present in COVID-19 patients.
- HCoV-OC43 S-IgG levels correlate with COVID-19 disease severity, suggesting a potential role in pathogenesis.
Abstract:
Seasonal human coronaviruses (HCoVs) including HCoV-229E, -OC43, -NL63, and -HKU1 widely spread in global human populations. However, the relevance of humoral response against seasonal HCoVs to COVID-19 pathogenesis is elusive. In this study, we profiled the temporal changes of IgG antibody against spike proteins (S-IgG) of SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal HCoVs in 838 plasma samples collected from 344 COVID-19 patients. We tested the antigenic cross-reactivities of S protein between SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal HCoVs and evaluated the correlations between the levels of HCoV-OC43 S-IgG and the disease severity in COVID-19 patients. We found that SARS-CoV-2 S-IgG titres mounted until days 22-28, whereas HCoV-OC43 antibody titres increased until days 15-21 and then plateaued until day 46. However, IgG titres against HCoV-NL63, -229E, and -HKU1 showed no significant increase. A two-way cross-reactivity was identified between SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43. Neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were not detectable in healthy controls who were positive for HCoV-OC43 S-IgG. HCoV-OC43 S-IgG titres were significantly higher in patients with severe disease than those in mild patients at days 1-21 post symptom onset (PSO). Higher levels of HCoV-OC43 S-IgG were also observed in patients requiring mechanical ventilation. At days 1-10 PSO, HCoV-OC43 S-IgG titres correlated to disease severity in the age group over 60. Our data indicate that there is a correlation between cross-reactive antibody against HCoV-OC43 spike protein and disease severity in COVID-19 patients.
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