Study Finds Antibody That Blocks Infection by SARS-CoV-2 in Cells

A fully human monoclonal antibody that prevents the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from infecting cultured cells was discovered by researchers at Utrecht University, Erasmus Medical Center, and Harbour BioMed, according to a press release.¹

This discovery is an initial step toward developing a fully human antibody to treat or prevent the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2, according to the study authors.¹

Researchers used antibody-containing supernatants of a collection of 51 SARS-S hybridomas derived from immunized transgenic H2L2 mice that encode chimeric immunoglobins with human variable heavy and light chains. The chimeric 47D11 H2L2 antibody was reformatted to a fully human immunoglobin by cloning of the human variable heavy and light chain regions into a human IgG1 isotype backbone.²

“This cross-neutralizing feature of the antibody is very interesting and suggests it may have potential in mitigation of diseases caused by future-emerging related coronaviruses," said Berend-Jan Bosch, MD, co-lead author of the study, in a press release.¹

Frank Grosveld, PhD, co-lead author of the study, said that the discovery provides a strong foundation for additional research to characterize this antibody and begin development as a potential COVID-19 treatment.

“The antibody used in this work is 'fully human,' allowing development to proceed more rapidly and reducing the potential for immune-related side effects," Grosveld said in a press release.¹

REFERENCES

• Researchers report discovery of antibody that blocks infection by the SARS-CoV-2 in cells. EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-05/uu-rrd050120.php. Published May 4, 2020. Accessed May 6, 2020.
• Wang C, Wentao L, Drabek D, et al. A human monoclonal antibody blocking SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nature Comm. 11; 2251 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-16256-y.