SARS-CoV-2 accessory proteins reveal distinct serological signatures in children

Asmaa Hachim, Haogao Gu, Otared Kavian, Masashi Mori, Mike Y. W. Kwan, Wai Hung Chan, Yat Sun Yau, Susan S. Chiu, Owen T. Y. Tsang, David S. C. Hui, Chris K. P. Mok, Fionn N. L. Ma, Eric H. Y. Lau, Gaya K. Amarasinghe, Abraham J. Qavi, Samuel M. S. Cheng, Leo L. M. Poon, J. S. Malik Peiris, Sophie A. Valkenburg () and Niloufar Kavian
Additional contact information
Asmaa Hachim: The University of Hong Kong
Haogao Gu: The University of Hong Kong
Otared Kavian: Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin
Masashi Mori: Ishikawa Prefectural University
Mike Y. W. Kwan: Princess Margaret Hospital, Hospital Authority of Hong Kong
Wai Hung Chan: Hospital Authority of Hong Kong
Yat Sun Yau: Hospital Authority of Hong Kong
Susan S. Chiu: The University of Hong Kong and Queen Mary Hospital, Hospital Authority of Hong Kong
Owen T. Y. Tsang: Hospital Authority of Hong Kong
David S. C. Hui: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Chris K. P. Mok: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Fionn N. L. Ma: The University of Hong Kong
Eric H. Y. Lau: The University of Hong Kong
Gaya K. Amarasinghe: Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Abraham J. Qavi: Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Samuel M. S. Cheng: The University of Hong Kong
Leo L. M. Poon: The University of Hong Kong
J. S. Malik Peiris: The University of Hong Kong
Sophie A. Valkenburg: The University of Hong Kong
Niloufar Kavian: The University of Hong Kong

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract The antibody response magnitude and kinetics may impact clinical severity, serological diagnosis and long-term protection of COVID-19, which may play a role in why children experience lower morbidity. We therefore tested samples from 122 children in Hong Kong with symptomatic (n = 78) and asymptomatic (n = 44) SARS-CoV-2 infections up to 200 days post infection, relative to 71 infected adults (symptomatic n = 61, and asymptomatic n = 10), and negative controls (n = 48). We assessed serum IgG antibodies to a 14-wide antigen panel of structural and accessory proteins by Luciferase Immuno-Precipitation System (LIPS) assay and circulating cytokines. Infected children have lower levels of Spike, Membrane, ORF3a, ORF7a, ORF7b antibodies, comparable ORF8 and elevated E-specific antibodies than adults. Combination of two unique antibody targets, ORF3d and ORF8, can accurately discriminate SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. Principal component analysis reveals distinct pediatric serological signatures, and the highest contribution to variance from adults are antibody responses to non-structural proteins ORF3d, NSP1, ORF3a and ORF8. From a diverse panel of cytokines that can modulate immune priming and relative inflammation, IL-8, MCP-1 and IL-6 correlate with the magnitude of pediatric antibody specificity and severity. Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 internal proteins may become an important sero surveillance tool of infection with the roll-out of vaccines in the pediatric population.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30699-5

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