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Title: Rapid identification of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants by mRNA display

Journal Article · · Cell Reports

The increasing prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants with the ability to escape existing humoral protection conferred by previous infection and/or immunization necessitates the discovery of broadly reactive neutralizing antibodies (nAbs). Utilizing mRNA display, we identify a set of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) proteins and characterize the structures of nAbs that recognize epitopes in the S1 subunit of the S glycoprotein. These structural studies reveal distinct binding modes for several antibodies, including the targeting of rare cryptic epitopes in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of S that interact with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to initiate infection, as well as the S1 subdomain 1. Further, we engineer a potent ACE2-blocking nAb to sustain binding to S RBD with the E484K and L452R substitutions found in multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants. We demonstrate that mRNA display is an approach for the rapid identification of nAbs that can be used in combination to combat emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Research Organization:
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA (United States). Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL); ImmunityBio, Inc., Culver City, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); National Institutes of Health (NIH); Caltech Merkin Institute; George Mason University; Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Burroughs Wellcome Fund; ImmunityBio, Inc
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-76SF00515
OSTI ID:
1981563
Journal Information:
Cell Reports, Journal Name: Cell Reports Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 38; ISSN 2211-1247
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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