Cross-reactive antibodies to sars-cov-2 and mers-cov in pre-covid-19 blood samples from sierra leoneans

Rodrigo Borrega; Diana K.S. Nelson; Anatoliy P. Koval; Nell G. Bond; Megan L. Heinrich; Megan M. Rowland; Raju Lathigra; Duane J. Bush; Irina Aimukanova; Whitney N. Phinney; Sophia A. Koval; Andrew R. Hoffmann; Allison R. Smither; Antoinette R. Bell-Kareem; Lilia I. Melnik; Kaylynn J. Genemaras; Karissa Chao; Patricia Snarski; Alexandra B. Melton; Jaikin E. Harrell; Ashley A. Smira; Debra H. Elliott; Julie A. Rouelle; Gilberto Sabino-Santos; Arnaud C. Drouin; Mambu Momoh; John Demby Sandi; Augustine Goba; Robert J. Samuels; Lansana Kanneh; Michael Gbakie; Zoe L. Branco; Jeffrey G. Shaffer; John S. Schieffelin; James E. Robinson; Dahlene N. Fusco; Pardis C. Sabeti; Kristian G. Andersen; Donald S. Grant; Matthew L. Boisen; Luis M. Branco; Robert F. Garry

doi:10.3390/v13112325

Cross-reactive antibodies to sars-cov-2 and mers-cov in pre-covid-19 blood samples from sierra leoneans

Rodrigo Borrega, Diana K.S. Nelson, Anatoliy P. Koval, Nell G. Bond, Megan L. Heinrich, Megan M. Rowland, Raju Lathigra, Duane J. Bush, Irina Aimukanova, Whitney N. Phinney, Sophia A. Koval, Andrew R. Hoffmann, Allison R. Smither, Antoinette R. Bell-Kareem, Lilia I. Melnik, Kaylynn J. Genemaras, Karissa Chao, Patricia Snarski, Alexandra B. Melton, Jaikin E. HarrellAshley A. Smira, Debra H. Elliott, Julie A. Rouelle, Gilberto Sabino-Santos, Arnaud C. Drouin, Mambu Momoh, John Demby Sandi, Augustine Goba, Robert J. Samuels, Lansana Kanneh, Michael Gbakie, Zoe L. Branco, Jeffrey G. Shaffer, John S. Schieffelin, James E. Robinson, Dahlene N. Fusco, Pardis C. Sabeti, Kristian G. Andersen, Donald S. Grant, Matthew L. Boisen, Luis M. Branco, Robert F. Garry

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa have experienced lower COVID-19 caseloads and fewer deaths than countries in other regions worldwide. Under-reporting of cases and a younger population could partly account for these differences, but pre-existing immunity to coronaviruses is another potential factor. Blood samples from Sierra Leonean Lassa fever and Ebola survivors and their contacts collected before the first reported COVID-19 cases were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the presence of antibodies binding to proteins of coronaviruses that infect humans. Results were compared to COVID-19 subjects and healthy blood donors from the United States. Prior to the pandemic, Sierra Leoneans had more frequent exposures than Americans to coronaviruses with epitopes that cross-react with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), SARS-CoV, and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The percentage of Sierra Leoneans with antibodies reacting to seasonal coronaviruses was also higher than for American blood donors. Serological responses to coronaviruses by Sierra Leoneans did not differ by age or sex. Approximately a quarter of Sierra Leonian pre-pandemic blood samples had neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus, while about a third neutralized MERS-CoV pseudovirus. Prior exposures to coronaviruses that induce cross-protective immunity may contribute to reduced COVID-19 cases and deaths in Sierra Leone.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	2325
Journal	Viruses
Volume	13
Issue number	11
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3390/v13112325
State	Published - Nov 2021
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

COVID-19 caseloads and deaths
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays
Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus
Pre-existing immunity to coro-naviruses
Pseudovirus neutralizing antibodies
Recombinant antigens
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2
Sub-Saharan Africa

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Infectious Diseases
Virology

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10.3390/v13112325

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Borrega, R., Nelson, D. K. S., Koval, A. P., Bond, N. G., Heinrich, M. L., Rowland, M. M., Lathigra, R., Bush, D. J., Aimukanova, I., Phinney, W. N., Koval, S. A., Hoffmann, A. R., Smither, A. R., Bell-Kareem, A. R., Melnik, L. I., Genemaras, K. J., Chao, K., Snarski, P., Melton, A. B., ... Garry, R. F. (2021). Cross-reactive antibodies to sars-cov-2 and mers-cov in pre-covid-19 blood samples from sierra leoneans. Viruses, 13(11), Article 2325. https://doi.org/10.3390/v13112325

Borrega, R, Nelson, DKS, Koval, AP, Bond, NG, Heinrich, ML, Rowland, MM, Lathigra, R, Bush, DJ, Aimukanova, I, Phinney, WN, Koval, SA, Hoffmann, AR, Smither, AR, Bell-Kareem, AR, Melnik, LI, Genemaras, KJ, Chao, K, Snarski, P, Melton, AB, Harrell, JE, Smira, AA, Elliott, DH, Rouelle, JA, Sabino-Santos, G, Drouin, AC, Momoh, M, Sandi, JD, Goba, A, Samuels, RJ, Kanneh, L, Gbakie, M, Branco, ZL, Shaffer, JG, Schieffelin, JS, Robinson, JE, Fusco, DN, Sabeti, PC, Andersen, KG, Grant, DS, Boisen, ML, Branco, LM & Garry, RF 2021, 'Cross-reactive antibodies to sars-cov-2 and mers-cov in pre-covid-19 blood samples from sierra leoneans', Viruses, vol. 13, no. 11, 2325. https://doi.org/10.3390/v13112325

@article{35449646a9cf444a84e74c0ece3e9109,

title = "Cross-reactive antibodies to sars-cov-2 and mers-cov in pre-covid-19 blood samples from sierra leoneans",

abstract = "Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa have experienced lower COVID-19 caseloads and fewer deaths than countries in other regions worldwide. Under-reporting of cases and a younger population could partly account for these differences, but pre-existing immunity to coronaviruses is another potential factor. Blood samples from Sierra Leonean Lassa fever and Ebola survivors and their contacts collected before the first reported COVID-19 cases were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the presence of antibodies binding to proteins of coronaviruses that infect humans. Results were compared to COVID-19 subjects and healthy blood donors from the United States. Prior to the pandemic, Sierra Leoneans had more frequent exposures than Americans to coronaviruses with epitopes that cross-react with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), SARS-CoV, and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The percentage of Sierra Leoneans with antibodies reacting to seasonal coronaviruses was also higher than for American blood donors. Serological responses to coronaviruses by Sierra Leoneans did not differ by age or sex. Approximately a quarter of Sierra Leonian pre-pandemic blood samples had neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus, while about a third neutralized MERS-CoV pseudovirus. Prior exposures to coronaviruses that induce cross-protective immunity may contribute to reduced COVID-19 cases and deaths in Sierra Leone.",

keywords = "COVID-19 caseloads and deaths, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Pre-existing immunity to coro-naviruses, Pseudovirus neutralizing antibodies, Recombinant antigens, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, Sub-Saharan Africa",

author = "Rodrigo Borrega and Nelson, {Diana K.S.} and Koval, {Anatoliy P.} and Bond, {Nell G.} and Heinrich, {Megan L.} and Rowland, {Megan M.} and Raju Lathigra and Bush, {Duane J.} and Irina Aimukanova and Phinney, {Whitney N.} and Koval, {Sophia A.} and Hoffmann, {Andrew R.} and Smither, {Allison R.} and Bell-Kareem, {Antoinette R.} and Melnik, {Lilia I.} and Genemaras, {Kaylynn J.} and Karissa Chao and Patricia Snarski and Melton, {Alexandra B.} and Harrell, {Jaikin E.} and Smira, {Ashley A.} and Elliott, {Debra H.} and Rouelle, {Julie A.} and Gilberto Sabino-Santos and Drouin, {Arnaud C.} and Mambu Momoh and Sandi, {John Demby} and Augustine Goba and Samuels, {Robert J.} and Lansana Kanneh and Michael Gbakie and Branco, {Zoe L.} and Shaffer, {Jeffrey G.} and Schieffelin, {John S.} and Robinson, {James E.} and Fusco, {Dahlene N.} and Sabeti, {Pardis C.} and Andersen, {Kristian G.} and Grant, {Donald S.} and Boisen, {Matthew L.} and Branco, {Luis M.} and Garry, {Robert F.}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.",

year = "2021",

month = nov,

doi = "10.3390/v13112325",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "13",

journal = "Viruses",

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T1 - Cross-reactive antibodies to sars-cov-2 and mers-cov in pre-covid-19 blood samples from sierra leoneans

AU - Borrega, Rodrigo

AU - Nelson, Diana K.S.

AU - Koval, Anatoliy P.

AU - Bond, Nell G.

AU - Heinrich, Megan L.

AU - Rowland, Megan M.

AU - Lathigra, Raju

AU - Bush, Duane J.

AU - Aimukanova, Irina

AU - Phinney, Whitney N.

AU - Koval, Sophia A.

AU - Hoffmann, Andrew R.

AU - Smither, Allison R.

AU - Bell-Kareem, Antoinette R.

AU - Melnik, Lilia I.

AU - Genemaras, Kaylynn J.

AU - Chao, Karissa

AU - Snarski, Patricia

AU - Melton, Alexandra B.

AU - Harrell, Jaikin E.

AU - Smira, Ashley A.

AU - Elliott, Debra H.

AU - Rouelle, Julie A.

AU - Sabino-Santos, Gilberto

AU - Drouin, Arnaud C.

AU - Momoh, Mambu

AU - Sandi, John Demby

AU - Goba, Augustine

AU - Samuels, Robert J.

AU - Kanneh, Lansana

AU - Gbakie, Michael

AU - Branco, Zoe L.

AU - Shaffer, Jeffrey G.

AU - Schieffelin, John S.

AU - Robinson, James E.

AU - Fusco, Dahlene N.

AU - Sabeti, Pardis C.

AU - Andersen, Kristian G.

AU - Grant, Donald S.

AU - Boisen, Matthew L.

AU - Branco, Luis M.

AU - Garry, Robert F.

PY - 2021/11

Y1 - 2021/11

N2 - Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa have experienced lower COVID-19 caseloads and fewer deaths than countries in other regions worldwide. Under-reporting of cases and a younger population could partly account for these differences, but pre-existing immunity to coronaviruses is another potential factor. Blood samples from Sierra Leonean Lassa fever and Ebola survivors and their contacts collected before the first reported COVID-19 cases were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the presence of antibodies binding to proteins of coronaviruses that infect humans. Results were compared to COVID-19 subjects and healthy blood donors from the United States. Prior to the pandemic, Sierra Leoneans had more frequent exposures than Americans to coronaviruses with epitopes that cross-react with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), SARS-CoV, and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The percentage of Sierra Leoneans with antibodies reacting to seasonal coronaviruses was also higher than for American blood donors. Serological responses to coronaviruses by Sierra Leoneans did not differ by age or sex. Approximately a quarter of Sierra Leonian pre-pandemic blood samples had neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus, while about a third neutralized MERS-CoV pseudovirus. Prior exposures to coronaviruses that induce cross-protective immunity may contribute to reduced COVID-19 cases and deaths in Sierra Leone.

AB - Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa have experienced lower COVID-19 caseloads and fewer deaths than countries in other regions worldwide. Under-reporting of cases and a younger population could partly account for these differences, but pre-existing immunity to coronaviruses is another potential factor. Blood samples from Sierra Leonean Lassa fever and Ebola survivors and their contacts collected before the first reported COVID-19 cases were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the presence of antibodies binding to proteins of coronaviruses that infect humans. Results were compared to COVID-19 subjects and healthy blood donors from the United States. Prior to the pandemic, Sierra Leoneans had more frequent exposures than Americans to coronaviruses with epitopes that cross-react with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), SARS-CoV, and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The percentage of Sierra Leoneans with antibodies reacting to seasonal coronaviruses was also higher than for American blood donors. Serological responses to coronaviruses by Sierra Leoneans did not differ by age or sex. Approximately a quarter of Sierra Leonian pre-pandemic blood samples had neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus, while about a third neutralized MERS-CoV pseudovirus. Prior exposures to coronaviruses that induce cross-protective immunity may contribute to reduced COVID-19 cases and deaths in Sierra Leone.

KW - COVID-19 caseloads and deaths

KW - Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays

KW - Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus

KW - Pre-existing immunity to coro-naviruses

KW - Pseudovirus neutralizing antibodies

KW - Recombinant antigens

KW - Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2

KW - Sub-Saharan Africa

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DO - 10.3390/v13112325

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AN - SCOPUS:85119956119

SN - 1999-4915

VL - 13

JO - Viruses

JF - Viruses

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ER -

Cross-reactive antibodies to sars-cov-2 and mers-cov in pre-covid-19 blood samples from sierra leoneans

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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