Global profiling of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG/ IgM responses of convalescents using a proteome microarray

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, and has become a global pandemic. There is no highly effective medicine or vaccine, most of the patients were recovered by their own immune response, especially the virus specific IgG and IgM responses. However, the IgG/ IgM responses is barely known. To enable the global understanding of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG/ IgM responses, a SARS-CoV-2 proteome microarray with 18 out of the 28 predicted proteins was constructed. The microarray was applied to profile the IgG/ IgM responses with 29 convalescent sera. The results suggest that at the convalescent phase 100% of patients had IgG/ IgM responses to SARS-CoV-2, especially to protein N, S1 but not S2. S1 purified from mammalian cell demonstrated the highest performance to differentiate COVID-19 patients from controls. Besides protein N and S1, significant antibody responses to ORF9b and NSP5 were also identified. In-depth analysis showed that the level of S1 IgG positively correlate to age and the level of LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), especially for women, while the level of S1 IgG negatively correlate to Ly% (Lymphocyte percentage). This study presents the first whole picture of the SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG/ IgM responses, and provides insights to develop precise immuno-diagnostics, effective treatment and vaccine. HighlightsO_LIA SARS-CoV-2 proteome microarray contains 18 of the 28 predicted proteins C_LIO_LIThe 1st global picture of the SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG/ IgM response reveals that at the convalescent phase, 100% of patients have IgG/ IgM responses to protein N and S1 C_LIO_LISignificant antibody responses against ORF9b and NSP5 were identified C_LIO_LIProtein S1 specific IgG positively correlates to age and LDH, while negatively to Ly% C_LI