The role of antibodies in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, and evaluating their contribution to antibody-dependent enhancement of infection

Farouq, Mohammed A. H. and Acevedo, Reinaldo and Ferro, Valerie A. and Mulheran, Paul A. and Al Qaraghuli, Mohammed M. (2022) The role of antibodies in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, and evaluating their contribution to antibody-dependent enhancement of infection. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23 (11). 6078. ISSN 1422-0067 (https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23116078)

[thumbnail of Farouq-etal-IJMS-2022-The-role-of-antibodies-in-the-treatment-of-SARS-CoV-2-virus-infection]
Preview
Text. Filename: Farouq_etal_IJMS_2022_The_role_of_antibodies_in_the_treatment_of_SARS_CoV_2_virus_infection.pdf
Final Published Version
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 logo

Download (1MB)| Preview

Abstract

Antibodies play a crucial role in the immune response, in fighting off pathogens as well as helping create strong immunological memory. Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) occurs when non-neutralising antibodies recognise and bind to a pathogen, but are unable to prevent infection, and is widely known and is reported as occurring in infection caused by several viruses. This narrative review explores the ADE phenomenon, its occurrence in viral infections and evaluates its role in infection by SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As of yet, there is no clear evidence of ADE in SARS-CoV-2, though this area is still subject to further study.