Antibody Course and Memory B-Cell Response in the First Year After Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection. (1st February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kannenberg, Judith; Trawinski, Henning; Henschler, Reinhard; Buhmann, Raymund; Hönemann, Mario; Jassoy, Christian
• Is Part Of: Journal of infectious diseases. Volume 226:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: 664
• Page End: 672
• Publication Date: 2022-02-01
• Subjects: antibody course -- antibody half-life -- COVID-19 -- memory B-cells -- SARS-CoV-2; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1899

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The possibility of repeat infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) raises questions regarding quality and longevity of the virus-induced immune response. Methods: The antibody course and memory B-cell (MBC) response against SARS-CoV-2 proteins, influenza virus nucleoprotein (NP), and tetanus toxin were examined in adults with mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection in the first year after infection. Results: The concentration of SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific antibodies was low compared with the concentration of influenza virus NP-specific antibodies. The SARS-CoV-2 RBD antibody half-life increased from 95 days in the first 6 months to 781 days after 9–12 months. The SARS-CoV-2 NP antibody half-life increased from 88 to 248 days. Two thirds of the subjects had SARS-CoV-2-specific MBC responses 12 months after infection. The SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels correlated with the MBC frequency at 12 months. Conclusions: The low concentration of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibodies indicates that re-exposure to the virus or vaccination are required to use the B-cell immunity to full capacity. The existence of a robust SARS-CoV-2 MBC response at 12 months in most subjects and the substantially increasing antibody half-life provide evidence that the immune response is developing into long-term immunity. The early antibody reaction and the ensuing MBC response are interdependent. Abstract : During the first year after infection the half-life of SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies increased from 3 months to 2 years. Most infected individuals had robust virus-specific memory B-cell responses 12 months after infection.