Efficacy of anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine in systemic autoimmune disorders: induction of high avidity and neutralising anti-RBD antibodies

ObjectivesIn patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic disorders (SARDs), vaccination with SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines has been proposed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the immune response elicited by vaccination with mRNA vaccine, testing IgM, IgA and IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) and measuring neutralising antibodies.MethodsIgG, IgM and IgA anti-RBD antibodies were measured in 101 patients with SARDs. Antibodies inhibiting the interaction between RBD and ACE2 were evaluated. Antibody avidity was tested in a chaotropic ELISA using urea. Twenty-one healthcare workers vaccinated with mRNA vaccine served as control group.ResultsAnti-RBD IgG and IgA were produced after the first dose (69% and 64% of the patients) and after the boost (93% and 83%). Antibodies inhibiting the interaction of RBD with ACE2 were detectable in 40% of the patients after the first dose and 87% after boost, compared with 100% in healthy controls (p<0.01). Abatacept and mycophenolate had an impact on the titre of IgG anti-RBD antibodies (p<0.05 and p<0.005, respectively) and on the amount of neutralising antibodies. No effect of other therapies was observed. Vaccinated patients produce high avidity antibodies, as healthy controls.ConclusionsThese data show that double-dose vaccination induced in patients with SARDs anti-RBD IgG and IgA antibodies in amounts not significantly different from controls, and, most interestingly, characterised by high avidity and endowed with neutralising activity.

Download Full-text

Rapid seroconversion and persistent functional IgG antibodies in severe COVID-19 patients correlates with an IL-12p70 and IL-33 signature

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-83019-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ariel Munitz ◽

L. Edry-Botzer ◽

M. Itan ◽

R. Tur-Kaspa ◽

D. Dicker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nucleocapsid Protein ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Host Response ◽

Humoral Response ◽

Rapid Onset ◽

Response Analysis ◽

Receptor Binding Domain ◽

Igg Antibodies ◽

Viral Receptor ◽

Iga Antibodies

AbstractDespite ongoing efforts to characterize the host response toward SARS-CoV-2, a major gap in our knowledge still exists regarding the magnitude and duration of the humoral response. Analysis of the antibody response in mild versus moderate/severe patients, using our new developed quantitative electrochemiluminescent assay for detecting IgM/IgA/IgG antibodies toward SARS-CoV-2 antigens, revealed a rapid onset of IgG/IgA antibodies, specifically in moderate/severe patients. IgM antibodies against the viral receptor binding domain, but not against nucleocapsid protein, were detected at early stages of the disease. Furthermore, we observed a marked reduction in IgM/IgA antibodies over-time. Adapting our assay for ACE2 binding-competition, demonstrated that the presence of potentially neutralizing antibodies is corelated with IgG/IgA. Finally, analysis of the cytokine profile in COVID-19 patients revealed unique correlation of an IL-12p70/IL33 and IgG seroconversion, which correlated with disease severity. In summary, our comprehensive analysis has major implications on the understanding and monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Download Full-text

Salivary IgA and serum IgA and IgG antibodies to Candida albicans in HIV-infected subjects

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1258/095646202760029787 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 373-377 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

M Belazi ◽

A Fleva ◽

D Drakoulakos ◽

D Panayiotidou

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Candida Albicans ◽

Study Groups ◽

Secretory Iga ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Igg Antibodies ◽

Serum Iga ◽

Whole Saliva ◽

Iga Antibodies

This study sought to determine IgA, IgG antibodies to Candida albicans in whole saliva and serum from HIV-infected patients and to compare them to a group of healthy controls. The study population consisted of 34 HIV-infected individuals free of any other systemic diseases and thirty healthy controls. IgA concentrations in saliva and IgA and IgG concentrations in serum were measured by a micro enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. No significant differences were observed in salivary and serum IgA antibodies to C. albicans between the two study groups. Serum IgG antibodies were found to be significantly lower in the HIV-infected ( P < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the specific activity of anti-Candida IgA and IgG antibodies in saliva and serum, in both the study groups. The undifferentiated levels of secretory-IgA antibodies to C. albicans in the patients' and the controls' saliva could be an indicator of the high immune response to opportunistic infections of the HIV-infected subjects, a fact that is verified by the lack of oral candidiasis in the patients' group. The low levels of IgG antibodies in the serum of the HIV-infected patients confirm the high immune response of them.

Download Full-text

Prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in a group of patients, a control group, and healthcare workers of Thrace area in Greece, by the use of two distinct methods

GERMS ◽

10.18683/germs.2021.1274 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 372-380

Author(s):

Theocharis Konstantinidis ◽

Stavroula Zisaki ◽

Ioannis Mitroulis ◽

Dimitrios Cassimos ◽

Ioanna Nanousi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Control Group ◽

Igg Antibodies

Download Full-text

Serological assessment of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first wave of the pandemic in Louisville Kentucky

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-97423-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Krystal T. Hamorsky ◽

Adrienne M. Bushau-Sprinkle ◽

Kathleen Kitterman ◽

Julia M. Corman ◽

Jennifer DeMarco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Sensitivity And Specificity ◽

Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Receptor Binding ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Antibody Responses ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Receptor Binding Domain ◽

Iga Antibodies ◽

Antibody Titers

AbstractSerological assays intended for diagnosis, sero-epidemiologic assessment, and measurement of protective antibody titers upon infection or vaccination are essential for managing the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Serological assays measuring the antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 antigens are readily available. However, some lack appropriate characteristics to accurately measure SARS-CoV-2 antibodies titers and neutralization. We developed an Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) methods for measuring IgG, IgA, and IgM responses to SARS-CoV-2, Spike (S), receptor binding domain (RBD), and nucleocapsid (N) proteins. Performance characteristics of sensitivity and specificity have been defined. ELISA results show positive correlation with microneutralization and Plaque Reduction Neutralization assays with infectious SARS-CoV-2. Our ELISA was used to screen healthcare workers in Louisville, KY during the first wave of the local pandemic in the months of May and July 2020. We found a seropositive rate of approximately 1.4% and 2.3%, respectively. Our analyses demonstrate a broad immune response among individuals and suggest some non-RBD specific S IgG and IgA antibodies neutralize SARS-CoV-2.

Download Full-text

Tear antibodies to SARS-CoV-2: implications for transmission

10.1101/2021.08.02.21261479 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kevin John Selva ◽

Samantha K Davis ◽

Ebene R Haycroft ◽

Wen Shi Lee ◽

Ester Lopez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ocular Surface ◽

Post Infection ◽

Antibody Responses ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Igg Antibodies ◽

Neutralising Antibodies ◽

Specific Antibodies ◽

Route Of Transmission ◽

Specific Igg ◽

Specific Igg Antibodies

Objectives SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted by aerosols and the ocular surface may be an important route of transmission. Little is known about protective antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in tears after infection or vaccination. We analysed SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG and IgA responses in human tears after either COVID-19 infection or vaccination. Methods We recruited 16 subjects with COVID-19 infection an average of 7 months previously and 15 subjects before and 2 weeks after Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNtech) vaccination. Plasma, saliva and basal tears were collected. Pre-pandemic plasma, saliva and basal tears from 11 individuals were included as healthy controls. Antibody responses to 5 SARS-CoV-2 antigens were measured via multiplex. Results IgG antibodies to Spike and Nucleoprotein were detected in tears, saliva and plasma from subjects with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection in comparison to uninfected controls. While RBD-specific antibodies were detected in plasma, minimal RBD-specific antibodies were detected in tears and saliva. In contrast, high levels of IgG antibodies to Spike and RBD, but not Nucleoprotein, were induced in tears, saliva and plasma of subjects receiving 2 doses of the Comirnaty vaccine. Increased levels of IgA1 and IgA2 antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 antigens were detected in plasma following infection or vaccination, but were unchanged in tears and saliva. Conclusion Both infection and vaccination induce SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies in tears. RBD-specific IgG antibodies in tears were induced by vaccination but were not present 7 months post-infection. This suggests neutralising antibodies may be low in the tears late following infection.

Download Full-text

Neutralising SARS-CoV-2 RBD-specific antibodies persist for at least six months independently of symptoms in adults

Communications Medicine ◽

10.1038/s43856-021-00012-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Angelika Wagner ◽

Angela Guzek ◽

Johanna Ruff ◽

Joanna Jasinska ◽

Ute Scheikl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nucleocapsid Protein ◽

Large Scale ◽

Kappa Coefficient ◽

Receptor Binding Domain ◽

Neutralising Antibodies ◽

Specific Antibodies ◽

Time Points ◽

Large Scale Testing ◽

Iga Antibodies ◽

Set Up

Abstract Background In spring 2020, at the beginning of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in Europe, we set up an assay system for large-scale testing of virus-specific and neutralising antibodies including their longevity. Methods We analysed the sera of 1655 adult employees for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies using the S1 subunit of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Sera containing S1-reactive antibodies were further evaluated for receptor-binding domain (RBD)- and nucleocapsid protein (NCP)-specific antibodies in relation to the neutralisation test (NT) results at three time points over six months. Results We detect immunoglobulin G (IgG) and/or IgA antibodies reactive to the S1 protein in 10.15% (n = 168) of the participants. In total, 0.97% (n = 16) are positive for S1-IgG, 0.91% (n = 15) were S1-IgG- borderline and 8.28% (n = 137) exhibit only S1-IgA antibodies. Of the 168 S1-reactive sera, 8.33% (n = 14) have detectable RBD-specific antibodies and 6.55% (n = 11) NCP-specific antibodies. The latter correlates with NTs (kappa coefficient = 0.8660) but start to decline after 3 months. RBD-specific antibodies correlate most closely with the NT (kappa = 0.9448) and only these antibodies are stable for up to six months. All participants with virus-neutralising antibodies report symptoms, of which anosmia and/or dysgeusia correlate most closely with the detection of virus-neutralising antibodies. Conclusions RBD-specific antibodies are most reliably detected post-infection, independent of the number/severity of symptoms, and correlate with neutralising antibodies at least for six months. They thus qualify best for large-scale seroepidemiological evaluation of both antibody reactivity and virus neutralisation.

Download Full-text

Immunoglobulin (Ig)A seropositivity against SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers in Israel, 4 April to 13 July 2020: an observational study

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/1560-7917.es.2021.26.48.2001690 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (48) ◽

Author(s):

Yaniv Lustig ◽

Carmit Cohen ◽

Asaf Biber ◽

Hanaa Jaber ◽

Yael Becker Ilany ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Igg Antibodies ◽

Exposure Risk ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Igg Antibody ◽

High Exposure ◽

Iga Antibodies ◽

Iga Response ◽

Antibody Elisa

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has put healthcare workers (HCW) at significant risk. Presence of antibodies can confirm prior severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Aim This study investigates the prevalence of IgA and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in HCW. Methods Performance of IgA and IgG antibody ELISA assays were initially evaluated in positive and negative SARS-CoV-2 serum samples. IgA and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were measured in 428 asymptomatic HCW. We assessed the risk of two groups: HCW with high exposure risk outside work (HROW) residing in areas where COVID-19 was endemic (n = 162) and HCW with high exposure risk at work (HRAW) in a COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) (n = 97). Results Sensitivities of 80% and 81.2% and specificities of 97.2% and 98% were observed for IgA and IgG antibodies, respectively. Of the 428 HCW, three were positive for IgG and 27 for IgA. Only 3/27 (11%) IgA-positive HCW had IgG antibodies compared with 50/62 (81%) in a group of previous SARS-CoV-2-PCR-positive individuals. Consecutive samples from IgA-positive HCW demonstrated IgA persistence 18–83 days in 12/20 samples and IgG seroconversion in 1/20 samples. IgA antibodies were present in 8.6% of HROW and 2% of HRAW. Conclusions SARS-CoV-2 exposure may lead to asymptomatic transient IgA response without IgG seroconversion. The significance of these findings needs further study. Out of work exposure is a possible risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCW and infection in HCW can be controlled if adequate protective equipment is implemented.

Download Full-text

Antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines are detectable in saliva

10.1101/2021.03.11.434841 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Thomas J. Ketas ◽

Devidas Chaturbhuj ◽

Victor M Cruz-Portillo ◽

Erik Francomano ◽

Encouse Golden ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gastrointestinal Tract ◽

Mucosal Immunity ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Antibody Responses ◽

Receptor Binding Domain ◽

Igg Antibodies ◽

S Protein ◽

Virus Acquisition ◽

The Usa

AbstractVaccines are critical for curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic (1, 2). In the USA, two highly protective mRNA vaccines are available: BNT162b2 from Pfizer/BioNTech and mRNA-1273 from Moderna (3, 4). These vaccines induce antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 S-protein, including neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) predominantly directed against the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) (1-4). Serum NAbs are induced at modest levels within ∼1 week of the first dose, but their titers are strongly boosted by a second dose at 3 (BNT162b2) or 4 weeks (mRNA-1273) (3, 4). SARS-CoV-2 is most commonly transmitted nasally or orally and infects cells in the mucosae of the respiratory and to some extent also the gastrointestinal tract (5). Although serum NAbs may be a correlate of protection against COVID-19, mucosal antibodies might directly prevent or limit virus acquisition by the nasal, oral and conjunctival routes (5). Whether the mRNA vaccines induce mucosal immunity has not been studied. Here, we report that antibodies to the S-protein and its RBD are present in saliva samples from mRNA-vaccinated healthcare workers (HCW). Within 1-2 weeks after their second dose, 37/37 and 8/8 recipients of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, respectively, had S-protein IgG antibodies in their saliva, while IgA was detected in a substantial proportion. These observations may be relevant to vaccine-mediated protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease.

Download Full-text

Chlamydia and mycoplasma infections during pregnancy and their relationships to orofacial cleft

Biologia ◽

10.2478/s11756-006-0147-0 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 61 (6) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Agáta Molnárová ◽

Elena Kováčová ◽

Juraj Majtán ◽

Jozef Fedeleš ◽

Eva Bieliková ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Shock ◽

Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽

Acute Infection ◽

Immunoblot Analysis ◽

Control Group ◽

Orofacial Cleft ◽

Igg Antibodies ◽

Igm Antibodies ◽

Iga Antibodies ◽

Shock Proteins

AbstractSerum antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia trachomatis have been studied in a group of newborns with orofacial cleft (OC) and their mothers (n = 59) as compared to a control group of healthy newborns and their mothers (n = 40) assayed by ELISA and Western blot analysis. In the first group, IgG antibodies to M. pneumoniae were found by ELISA in 12 newborns with OC and 22 mothers, while IgA antibodies were detected only in 5 and 11 cases, respectively. IgM antibodies indicating an acute infection were found in 2 mothers only. IgG antibodies to C. trachomatis were found in 2 newborns with OC and 4 mothers. In the control group, IgG antibodies to M. pneumoniae were found in 3 newborns and 7 mothers. IgG antibodies to C trachomatis were observed in 1 newborn and 1 mother, while IgM antibodies to C trachomatis were present in 1 mother only. Immunoblot analysis revealed in newborns with OC and their mothers C. trachomatis-specific bands associated with MOMP 1, 29 kDa, 45 kDa, and heat shock proteins (HSP) 60 and 70. Based on these results we suggest that the risk associated with the exposure to M. pneumoniae and/or C. trachomatis is so far unknown and further study is needed for its elucidation.

Download Full-text

A Common Thrombomodulin Amino Acid Dimorphism Is Associated with Myocardial Infarction

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1655947 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 77 (02) ◽

pp. 248-251 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

Lena Norlund ◽

Johan Holm ◽

Bengt Zöller ◽

Ann-Kristin Öhlin

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Amino Acid ◽

Plasma Concentration ◽

Acute Coronary Syndromes ◽

Protein C ◽

Integral Membrane Protein ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Coronary Syndromes ◽

Premature Myocardial Infarction

SummaryEndothelial dysfunction and haemostatic imbalance are believed to be important aetiological factors in the development of acute coronary syndromes. Thrombomodulin (TM) is an integral membrane protein crucial for normal endothelial function and activation of the protein C anticoagulant pathway. We have investigated the importance of a common C/T dimorphism in the TM gene (nucleotide 1418) for development of premature myocardial infarction (MI). The C/T dimorphism predicts an Ala455 to Val replacement in the sixth EGF-like domain of TM. The dimorphism was investigated in 97 MI survivors and 159 healthy controls. The C allele was significantly more frequent among patients than controls (p = 0.035). The allele frequency for the C allele was 0.82 in the patients and 0.72 in the control group. The plasma concentration of TM was investigated among healthy controls but was not related to the C/T dimorphism. In conclusion, the association of the C allele with premature MI, suggests that the TM gene and the C/T dimorphism may be aetiological factors involved in the pathogenesis of MI. Possibly, the Ala455 to Val replacement may affect the function of the TM molecule and the activation of the protein C anticoagulant pathway.

Download Full-text