Enhancement of SARS-CoV-2 Infection via Crosslinking of Adjacent Spike Proteins by N-Terminal Domain-Targeting Antibodies.

ABSTRACT: The entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells is mediated by the interaction between the spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) and host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Certain human antibodies, which target the spike N-terminal domain (NTD) at a distant epitope from the host cell binding surface, have been found to augment ACE2 binding and enhance SARS-CoV-2 infection. Notably, these antibodies exert their effect independently of the antibody fragment crystallizable (Fc) region, distinguishing their mode of action from previously described antibody-dependent infection-enhancing (ADE) mechanisms. Building upon previous hypotheses and experimental evidence, we propose that these NTD-targeting infection-enhancing antibodies (NIEAs) achieve their effect through the crosslinking of neighboring

SUBMITTER: Lusiany T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10747171 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature