The recent news of the discovery of coronavirus vaccines has been welcomed by many, albeit with accompanying speculations and safety concerns. Generally, it is assumed that when an individual is vaccinated, he or she becomes immune to the disease in question. However, as we do not measure immunity, how will we then know if a person has indeed become immune to a disease after vaccination?
Two studies that were published recently in “Science Translational Medicine” look into this by exploring the body’s antibody response to infection, with a focus on the SARS-CoV-2 virus. As a general rule, the body’s antibody response is comprised of a secondary IgE, IgG and IgA response, which follow a primary IgM response. The secondary responses contribute to the body’s immune memory.
In one of the studies, researchers Sterlin, Miyara, Mohr in collaboration with other researchers evaluated the short-term humoral response to the SARS-CoV-2 infection and discovered that IgA antibodies dominated the scene. The researchers then measured the total neutralizing antibody levels that were in the broncho-alveolar fluid, serum and saliva of the patients involved in the study and the increased number of cells that produced antibodies. Hypothetically, neutralizing antibodies actually neutralize a virus in a patient’s body, which blocks the disease.
The researchers discovered that IgA antibodies bore a majority of the burden despite the detection of other Ig components. Concentrations of IgA in the serum significantly reduced the chances of post-infection. However, neutralizing IgA was detectable in the saliva for about 73 days. Researchers noted that these results highlighted the need to know the antibody types that vaccine regimens would be targeting to help prevent an initial infection or a prior infection from recurring.
The second study also indicated similar conclusions. The study showed that potency over the monomeric form was increased with IgA dimerization. The researchers noted that the spike protein’s crosslinking on the viral surface after IgA monomers were linked together covalently by J chain boosted antibodies neutralizing ability directly or indirectly through a method that grew apparent affinity.
The researchers also discovered that the full antibody was more potent in comparison with the monovalent fab fragments of IgG serum antibodies. The researchers suggest for better interaction with SARS spike trimers, the IgA1 subtype, an IgG relative, be used.
For the time being, further study is needed to explore the concerns on IgA dimerization. The results of peer reviews of the Oxford/Astrazeneca viral-vector-based vaccines and the Moderna and Pfizer mRNA vaccines have been publicized, which offer the general public more information concerning the vaccines.
Many other biomedical firms are taking advantage of the latest information about different diseases in order to develop better therapies. For example, CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP) specializes in coming up with innovative cancer therapies that target specific affected organs or systems, such as the brain and the central nervous system.
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