Sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion by flow cytometry reveals the presence of nucleoprotein-reactive antibodies in unexposed individuals

There is an ongoing need of developing sensitive and specific methods for the determination of SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion. For this purpose, we have developed a multiplexed flow cytometric bead array (C19BA) that allows the identification of IgG and IgM antibodies against three immunogenic proteins s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Communications biology 2021-04, Vol.4 (1), p.486-486, Article 486
Main Authors: Egia-Mendikute, Leire, Bosch, Alexandre, Prieto-Fernández, Endika, Lee, So Young, Jiménez-Lasheras, Borja, García del Río, Ana, Antoñana-Vildosola, Asier, Bruzzone, Chiara, Bizkarguenaga, Maider, Embade, Nieves, Gil-Redondo, Rubén, Martínez-Chantar, María Luz, López-Hoyos, Marcos, Abrescia, Nicola G. A., Mato, José M., Millet, Óscar, Palazón, Asís
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
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Antibodies
Antigens
Biology
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
Flow cytometry
Immunogenicity
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulin M
Life Sciences
Pandemics
Seroconversion
Serology
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Spike protein
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Summary:There is an ongoing need of developing sensitive and specific methods for the determination of SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion. For this purpose, we have developed a multiplexed flow cytometric bead array (C19BA) that allows the identification of IgG and IgM antibodies against three immunogenic proteins simultaneously: the spike receptor-binding domain (RBD), the spike protein subunit 1 (S1) and the nucleoprotein (N). Using different cohorts of samples collected before and after the pandemic, we show that this assay is more sensitive than ELISAs performed in our laboratory. The combination of three viral antigens allows for the interrogation of full seroconversion. Importantly, we have detected N-reactive antibodies in COVID-19-negative individuals. Here we present an immunoassay that can be easily implemented and has superior potential to detect low antibody titers compared to current gold standard serology methods. Egia-Mendikute et al. develop a multiplexed flow cytometric bead array to simultaneously detect antibodies reactive to three immunogenic SARS-CoV-2 proteins. More sensitive than ELISA, they detected N-reactive antibodies in COVID-19-negative individuals with this assay, showing it to have superior potential to detect low antibody titres compared to current gold standard serology methods.
ISSN:2399-3642
2399-3642
DOI:10.1038/s42003-021-02011-6