Broad neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants by an inhalable bispecific single-domain antibody

Cell. 2022 Apr 14;185(8):1389-1401.e18. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.03.009. Epub 2022 Mar 10.

Abstract

The effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and therapeutic antibodies have been limited by the continuous emergence of viral variants and by the restricted diffusion of antibodies from circulation into the sites of respiratory virus infection. Here, we report the identification of two highly conserved regions on the Omicron variant receptor-binding domain recognized by broadly neutralizing antibodies. Furthermore, we generated a bispecific single-domain antibody that was able to simultaneously and synergistically bind these two regions on a single Omicron variant receptor-binding domain as revealed by cryo-EM structures. We demonstrated that this bispecific antibody can be effectively delivered to lung via inhalation administration and exhibits exquisite neutralization breadth and therapeutic efficacy in mouse models of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Importantly, this study also deciphered an uncommon and highly conserved cryptic epitope within the spike trimeric interface that may have implications for the design of broadly protective SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and therapeutics.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; bispecific antibody; broad neutralization; inhalation; single-domain antibody.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / administration & dosage
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Single-Domain Antibodies*
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / chemistry

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Single-Domain Antibodies
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • spike protein, SARS-CoV-2

Supplementary concepts

  • SARS-CoV-2 variants