Structural basis of a shared antibody response to SARS-CoV-2

TLDR

Antibodies are a key tool against SARS‑CoV‑2, serving as potential therapeutics and guiding vaccine development. The study focused on identifying shared antibody responses, where multiple individuals generate antibodies against the same antigen using identical genetic elements and recognition modes. They found that the IGHV3‑53 gene is most frequently used among 294 RBD‑targeting antibodies, which exhibit few somatic mutations and rely largely on germline residues for binding, indicating minimal affinity maturation yet high potency—a promising feature for vaccine design. Yuan et al., Science, this issue p.

Abstract

A common theme in antibody responses In the fight against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), antibodies are a key tool, both as potential therapeutics and to guide vaccine development. Yuan et al. focused on finding shared antibody responses, in which multiple individuals develop antibodies against the same antigen using the same genetic elements and modes of recognition. The authors identified the immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable region 3-53 gene as the most frequently used among 294 antibodies that target the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the viral spike protein. These antibodies have few somatic mutations, and crystal structures of two neutralizing antibodies bound to the RBD show that mostly germline-encoded residues are involved in binding. The minimal affinity maturation and high potency of these antibodies is promising for vaccine design. Science , this issue p. 1119