Author:
Gu Yue,Shunmuganathan Bhuvaneshwari,Qian Xinlei,Gupta Rashi,Tan Rebecca S. W.,Kozma Mary,Purushotorman Kiren,Murali Tanusya M.,Tan Nikki Y. J.,Preiser Peter R.,Lescar Julien,Nasir Haziq,Somani Jyoti,Tambyah Paul A.,Fong Siew-Wai,Amrun Siti Naqiah,Goh Yun-Shan,Tay Matthew Zi-Rui,Rouers Angeline,Chang Zi Wei,Yeo Nicholas Kim-Wah,Chan Yi-Hao,Hor Pei Xian,Loh Chiew Yee,Yang Yuling,Ruesta Anthony Torres,Neo Vanessa,Chen Wendy Yehui,Goh Estelle Yi-Wei,Ong Alice Soh-Meoy,Chua Adeline Chiew Yen,Nguee Samantha,Tang Yong Jie,Tang Weiyi,Wong Joel Xu En,Smith Kenneth G. C.,Renia Laurent,Ng Lisa F. P.,Lye David C.,Young Barnaby E.,MacAry Paul A.,
Abstract
AbstractThe scale and duration of neutralizing antibody responses targeting SARS-CoV-2 viral variants represents a critically important serological parameter that predicts protective immunity for COVID-19. In this study, we describe the development and employment of a new functional assay that measures neutralizing antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 and present longitudinal data illustrating the impact of age, sex and comorbidities on the kinetics and strength of vaccine-induced antibody responses for key variants in an Asian volunteer cohort. We also present an accurate quantitation of serological responses for SARS-CoV-2 that exploits a unique set of in-house, recombinant human monoclonal antibodies targeting the viral Spike and nucleocapsid proteins and demonstrate a reduction in neutralizing antibody titres across all groups 6 months post-vaccination. We also observe a marked reduction in the serological binding activity and neutralizing responses targeting recently newly emerged Omicron variants including XBB 1.5 and highlight a significant increase in cross-protective neutralizing antibody responses following a third dose (boost) of vaccine. These data illustrate how key virological factors such as immune escape mutations combined with host demographic factors such as age and sex of the vaccinated individual influence the strength and duration of cross-protective serological immunity for COVID-19.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC