Comparative Assessment of the Binding and Neutralisation Activity of Bispecific Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants. (29th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dean, Alexis Q; Stauft, Charles B; Twomey, Julianne D; Tan, Joshua; Varani, Luca; Wang, Tony T; Zhang, Baolin
• Is Part Of: Antibody therapeutics. Volume 6:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 49
• Page End: 58
• Publication Date: 2022-12-29
• Subjects: SARS-CoV-2 -- COVID-19 -- bispecific antibody -- bioassay -- product quality; Immunoglobulins -- Therapeutic use -- Periodicals; Monoclonal antibodies -- Therapeutic use -- Periodicals; Immunotechnology -- Periodicals; 616.0798
• DOI: 10.1093/abt/tbac032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2516-4236

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 are a vital component in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, having the potential of both therapeutic and prophylactic applications. Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 are particularly promising, given their ability to bind simultaneously to two distinct sites of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the viral spike protein. Such antibodies are complex molecules associated with multi-faceted mechanisms of action that require appropriate bioassays to ensure product quality and manufacturing consistency. Methods: We developed procedures for biolayer interferometry (BLI) and a cell-based virus neutralisation assay, the focus reduction neutralisation test (FRNT). Using both assays, we tested a panel of five BsAbs against different spike variants (Ancestral, Delta and Omicron) to evaluate the use of these analytical methods in assessing binding and neutralisation activities of anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics. Results: We found comparable trends between BLI-derived binding affinity and FRNT-based virus neutralisation activity. Antibodies that displayed high binding affinity against a variant were often followed by potent neutralisation at lower concentrations, whereas those with low binding affinity also demonstrated reduced neutralisation activity. Conclusion: The results support the utility of BLI and FRNT assays in measuring variant-specific binding and virus neutralisation activity of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Abstract : Statement of significance: Bispecific antibodies are a promising class of therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2. BLI coupled with FRNT assays can be used to characterise the binding and neutralisation activity of these antibodies against specific SARS-CoV-2 variants.