Detection of functional antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein
The humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 results in antibodies against spike (S) and nucleoprotein (N). However, whilst there are widely available neutralization assays for S antibodies, there is no assay for N-antibody activity.
The Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MRC-LMB) has developed a simple in vitro method called EDNA (electroporated-antibody-dependent neutralization assay) that quantifies the antiviral activity of N antibodies in SARS-CoV-2 convalescent sera. N antibodies neutralize SARS-CoV-2 intracellularly and cell-autonomously but require the cytosolic Fc receptor TRIM21. Using EDNA, the MRC-LMB has shown that low N-antibody titres can be neutralizing, whilst some convalescents possess serum with high titres but weak activity. N-antibody and N-specific T cell activity correlates within individuals, suggesting N antibodies may protect against SARS-CoV-2 by promoting antigen presentation.
In this webinar, Dr. Anna Albecka-Moreau from MRC-LMB will highlight the potential benefits of N-based vaccines and outlines an in vitro assay that enables the antibodies they induce to be tested.
Join this free expert webinar to:
- Obtain an overview of humoral and cell-mediated immunity to SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein
- Gain insights into the development of an assay for measuring intracellular anti-viral activity of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein from recovered patient blood samples
- Learn about the utility of a multi-antigen SARS-CoV-2 serological assay on the automated Simple Western platform
- Understand the correlation between antibody and T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein, and potential benefits of N-based vaccines
Who should attend?
Laboratory scientists working or interested in virology, infectious diseases, vaccine design, host-pathogen interactions, viral neutralization assays, automated immunoassays, immune-response, and serological assay development.