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Updated: Sep 30, 2025
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies using High-Throughput Fluorescent Imaging of Pseudovirus Infection
Published on: June 5, 2021
Novel T cell interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) using spike recombinant protein for COVID19 vaccine response and
Yves Renaudineau1, Florence Abravanel2, Jacques Izopet2
1Immunology department laboratory, Institut Fédératif de Biologie, Toulouse University Hospital Center, France; INFINITy, Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases, INSERM U1291, CNRS U5051, University Toulouse III, Toulouse, France.
Abstract:
We explored the performance of a whole blood interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) based on the stimulation of SARS-Cov2-specific T cells by purified recombinant proteins. Twenty volunteers vaccinated with BNT162b2 were selected first for T cell response evaluation using an in-house IGRA, a commercial IGRA, and ELISpot showing a S2 > S1 poly-epitopic response. Next, 64 vaccinated and 103 non-vaccinated individuals were tested for humoral and T cell response (IGRA-Spike/-nucleocapsid recombinant proteins). Following the second vaccine injection, humoral (100%) and IGRA-Spike T cell (95.3%) responses took place irrespective of sex, age, and vaccine type. The humoral response declined first, followed by IGRA-Spike T cell response after the second vaccine injection. Altogether, this study confirms the utility of the IGRA-Spike/-nucleocapsid assay to complement serology in COVID19 vaccinated individuals and those who have recovered from SARS-Cov2.
