Abstract
The importance of pre-existing immune responses to seasonal endemic coronaviruses (HCoVs) for the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the course of COVID-19 is the subject of an ongoing scientific debate. Recent studies postulate that immune responses to previous HCoV infections can either have a slightly protective or no effect on SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and, consequently, be neglected for COVID-19 risk stratification. Challenging this notion, we provide evidence that pre-existing, anti-nucleocapsid antibodies against endemic alpha-coronaviruses and S2 domain-specific anti-spike antibodies against beta-coronavirus HCoV-OC43 are elevated in patients with COVID-19 compared to pre-pandemic donors. This finding is particularly pronounced in males and in critically ill patients. Longitudinal evaluation reveals that antibody cross-reactivity or polyclonal stimulation by SARS-CoV-2 infection are unlikely to be confounders. Thus, specific pre-existing immunity to seasonal coronaviruses may increase susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and predispose individuals to an adverse COVID-19 outcome, guiding risk management and supporting the development of universal coronavirus vaccines.
| Dokumententyp: | Zeitschriftenartikel |
|---|---|
| Fakultät: | Chemie und Pharmazie > Department Biochemie |
| Themengebiete: | 500 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik > 540 Chemie |
| ISSN: | 2211-1247 |
| Sprache: | Englisch |
| Dokumenten ID: | 103157 |
| Datum der Veröffentlichung auf Open Access LMU: | 05. Jun. 2023, 15:42 |
| Letzte Änderungen: | 05. Jun. 2023, 15:42 |
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