Engineering SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies for increased potency and reduced viral escape pathways.

ABSTRACT: The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants poses a constant threat of escape from monoclonal antibody and vaccine countermeasures. Mutations in the ACE2 receptor binding site on the surface S protein have been shown to disrupt antibody binding and prevent viral neutralization. Here, we used a directed evolution-based approach to engineer three neutralizing antibodies for enhanced binding to S protein. The engineered antibodies showed increased in vitro functional activity in terms of neutralization potency and/or breadth of neutralization against viral variants. Deep mutational scanning revealed that higher binding affinity reduces the total number of viral escape mutations. Studies in the Syrian hamster model showed two examples where the affinity-matured antibody provided superior pr

SUBMITTER: Zhao F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9367177 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature