Open AccessDynamics of antibodies to SARS‐CoV‐2 in convalescent plasma donors
Author(s) -
Steenhuis Maurice,
Mierlo Gerard,
Derksen Ninotska IL,
Ooijevaarde Heer Pleuni,
Kruithof Simone,
Loeff Floris L,
Berkhout Lea C,
Linty Federica,
Reusken Chantal,
Reimerink Johan,
Hogema Boris,
Zaaijer Hans,
Watering Leo,
Swaneveld Francis,
Gils Marit J,
Bosch Berend Jan,
Ham S Marieke,
Brinke Anja,
Vidarsson Gestur,
Schoot Ellen C,
Rispens Theo
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
clinical and translational immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.321
H-Index - 34
ISSN - 2050-0068
DOI - 10.1002/cti2.1285
Subject(s) - antibody , convalescent plasma , spike protein , immunology , neutralization , medicine , covid-19 , longitudinal study , virology , immunoglobulin g , biology , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Objectives Characterisation of the human antibody response to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is vital for serosurveillance purposes and for treatment options such as transfusion with convalescent plasma or immunoglobulin products derived from convalescent plasma. In this study, we longitudinally and quantitatively analysed antibody responses in RT‐PCR‐positive SARS‐CoV‐2 convalescent adults during the first 250 days after onset of symptoms. Methods We measured antibody responses to the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein and the nucleocapsid protein in 844 longitudinal samples from 151 RT‐PCR‐positive SARS‐CoV‐2 convalescent adults. With a median of 5 (range 2–18) samples per individual, this allowed quantitative analysis of individual longitudinal antibody profiles. Kinetic profiles were analysed by mixed‐effects modelling. Results All donors were seropositive at the first sampling moment, and only one donor seroreverted during follow‐up analysis. Anti‐RBD IgG and anti‐nucleocapsid IgG levels declined with median half‐lives of 62 and 59 days, respectively, 2–5 months after symptom onset, and several‐fold variation in half‐lives of individuals was observed. The rate of decline of antibody levels diminished during extended follow‐up, which points towards long‐term immunological memory. The magnitude of the anti‐RBD IgG response correlated well with neutralisation capacity measured in a classic plaque reduction assay and in an in‐house developed competitive assay. Conclusion The result of this study gives valuable insight into the long‐term longitudinal response of antibodies to SARS‐CoV‐2.