Emory scientists find virus-neutralizing antibodies in COVID-19 patients

Emory University scientists have found nearly all of those hospitalized from COVID-19 develop virus-neutralizing antibodies within six days of testing positive. 

The information can be used to help researchers understand protective immunity and assist in the development of a vaccine, according to Emory News Center. The test could also determine whether recovered coronavirus patients' plasma can be used to help provide immunity to others. 

The tests developed by Emory University have shown that not all antibodies are created equal. Neutralizing antibodies, which lead to immunity, have certain characteristics. 

Researchers looked at antibodies against the receptor-binding domain (RBD), the spike protein on the outside of the virus that grips human cells and allows the virus to enter them. This focus was made because the RBD differentiates SARS-CoV-2 from other coronaviruses. The initial 44 patient blood samples were taken from coronavirus patients at Emory University Hospital and Emory University Hospital Midtown.

“These findings have important implications for our understanding of protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2, the use of immune plasma as a  therapy, and the development of much-needed vaccines,” Mehul S. Suthar, PhD, co-lead author and assistant professor of pediatrics at  Emory University School of Medicine and Emory Vaccine Center, told Emory News Center. "Very few research teams have done this – looking at neutralizing antibody responses from people who are currently in the hospital. This study provides a snapshot of the immune response as it is happening, not after the battle is over.”

Jens Wrammert, PhD, co-lead author and assistant professor of pediatrics at Emory School of Medicine, told Emory News  Center scientists can test the blood of vaccine study participants for the antibody to gauge whether the vaccine would be effective. It also helps determine the best use for plasma from patients who have recovered from the coronavirus. 

“The fact we are seeing good virus neutralization this early during infection means that we can use binding to the RBD as a way to screen potential plasma donors," Wrammert told Emory News Center.

Emory researchers were also able to validate the antibody study for clinical use and test an additional 231 patient samples. A team led by John Roback, MD, PhD, executive vice-chair for clinical operations in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and medical director of Emory Medical Laboratories, was able to develop an accurate test in a matter of weeks. The Marcus Foundation provided a critical contribution toward developing the test and processing samples.

“We talk a lot about this ideal situation where you go from the laboratory to actual clinical care,” Roback told Emory News Center. “This is the best example of that taking place in my career. Development of this  high-throughput processing has been a tremendous collaboration and  monumental effort involving dozens of Emory clinicians, scientists and researchers.”