A new atlas charts how antibodies attack spike protein variants, providing a roadmap for developing more effective COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
The atlas, published in the journal Nature, is the most comprehensive analysis to date of how antibodies target the spike protein, the part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that attaches to human cells. The researchers studied 28 different antibodies, including those from people who had recovered from COVID-19, as well as those from experimental vaccines and treatments.
The atlas revealed that antibodies target the spike protein in a variety of ways. Some antibodies bind to the receptor binding domain (RBD), the part of the spike protein that attaches to the ACE2 receptor on human cells. Other antibodies bind to the N-terminal domain (NTD), a part of the spike protein that is less well understood.
The researchers also found that some antibodies target the spike protein in a way that is more effective at preventing infection than others. These antibodies are called "neutralizing antibodies" because they can prevent the virus from entering human cells. Other antibodies are less effective at preventing infection, and these are called "non-neutralizing antibodies."
The atlas provides a valuable resource for researchers developing COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. By understanding how antibodies target the spike protein, researchers can design vaccines and treatments that are more likely to be effective against the virus.
"This atlas is a major step forward in our understanding of how antibodies target the spike protein," said study co-author Dr. David Veesler, a professor of biochemistry at the University of Washington. "This information will be essential for developing more effective COVID-19 vaccines and treatments."
The researchers say that the atlas is just the beginning, and that they plan to continue studying how antibodies target the spike protein in order to develop even more effective COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
"We are hopeful that this atlas will help us to end the COVID-19 pandemic," said study co-author Dr. Jason McLellan, a professor of molecular biology at the University of Texas at Austin. "We are committed to continuing our research until we find a cure for this devastating disease."
