Id |
Subject |
Object |
Predicate |
Lexical cue |
T14 |
0-128 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Very recently, a novel coronavirus which was temporarily named “2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)” emerged in Wuhan, China [1]. |
T15 |
129-406 |
Sentence |
denotes |
As of 1 February 2020, 2019-nCoV has resulted in a total of 11,821 laboratory-confirmed human infections in China, including 259 deaths, and 132 exported cases in 23 countries outside of China (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports). |
T16 |
407-499 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Currently, there is no vaccine or effective antiviral treatment against 2019-nCoV infection. |
T17 |
500-556 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Based on the phylogenetic analysis (GISAID accession no. |
T18 |
557-816 |
Sentence |
denotes |
EPI_ISL_402124) [2], 2019-nCoV belongs to lineage B betacoronavirus and shares high sequence identity with that of bat or human severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-related coronavirus (SARSr-CoV) and bat SARS-like coronavirus (SL-CoV) (Figure 1(a)). |
T19 |
817-942 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In previous studies, a number of potent monoclonal antibodies against SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) have been identified [3–7]. |
T20 |
943-1208 |
Sentence |
denotes |
These antibodies target the spike protein (S) of SARS-CoV and SL-CoVs, which is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein and mediates the entrance to human respiratory epithelial cells by interacting with cell surface receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) [8]. |
T21 |
1209-1372 |
Sentence |
denotes |
More specifically, the 193 amino acid length (N318-V510) receptor binding domain (RBD) within the S protein is the critical target for neutralizing antibodies [9]. |
T22 |
1373-1591 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Some of the antibodies recognize different epitopes on RBD; e.g. the SARS-CoV neutralizing antibodies CR3014 and CR3022 bound noncompetitively to the SARS-CoV RBD and neutralized the virus in a synergistic fashion [5]. |
T23 |
1592-1841 |
Sentence |
denotes |
We predicted the conformation of 2019-nCoV RBD as well as its complex structures with several neutralizing antibodies, and found that the modelling results support the interactions between 2019-nCoV RBD and certain SARS-CoV antibodies (Figure 1(b)). |
T24 |
1842-1945 |
Sentence |
denotes |
This could be due to the relatively high identity (73%) of RBD in 2019-nCoV and SARS-CoV (Figure 1(c)). |
T25 |
1946-2158 |
Sentence |
denotes |
For instance, residues in RBD of SARS-CoV that make polar interactions with a neutralizing antibody m396 as indicated by the complex crystal structure [10] are invariably conserved in 2019-nCoV RBD (Figure 1(d)). |
T26 |
2159-2251 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In the structure of SARS-CoV-RBD-m396, R395 in RBD formed a salt bridge with D95 of m396-VL. |
T27 |
2252-2390 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Concordantly, the electrostatic interaction was also observed in the model of 2019-nCoV-RBD-m396, forming by R408 (RBD) and D95 (m396-VL). |
T28 |
2391-2507 |
Sentence |
denotes |
This analysis suggests that some SARS-CoV-specific monoclonal antibodies may be effective in neutralizing 2019-nCoV. |
T29 |
2508-2749 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In contrast, the interactions between antibody F26G19 [11] or 80R [12] and the RBD in 2019-nCoV decreased significantly due to the lack of salt bridges formed by R426-D56 in SARS-CoV-RBD-F26G19 or D480-R162 in SARS-CoV-RBD-80R, respectively. |
T30 |
2750-2953 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Furthermore, while most of the 80R-binding residues on the RBD of SARS-CoV are not conserved on RBD of 2019-nCoV (Figure 1(c)), it is unlikely that the antibody 80R could effectively recognize 2019-nCoV. |
T31 |
2954-3204 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Therefore, it is urgent to experimentally determine the cross-reactivity of anti-SARS-CoV antibodies with 2019-nCoV spike protein, which could have important implications for rapid development of vaccines and therapeutic antibodies against 2019-nCoV. |
T32 |
3205-3306 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Figure 1. (a) Phylogenetic analysis of 2019-nCoV spike glycoprotein from its protein BLAST sequences. |
T33 |
3307-4175 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The neighbour-joining tree was constructed using MEGA X, tested by bootstrap method of 2000 replicates, and edited by the online tool of iTOL (v5). (b) The simulated model of 2019-nCoV RBD binding to SARS-CoV-RBD-specific antibodies (m396, 80R, and F26G19). (c) Protein sequence alignment of 2019-nCoV and SARS-CoV RBD, showing the predominant residues that contribute to interactions with ACE2 or SARS-CoV-specific antibodies. (d) The comparison of the complex structures of SARS-CoV-RBD and SARS-CoV-RBD-specific antibodies (shown in the first row) and models of 2019-nCoV-RBD and SARS-CoV-RBD-specific antibodies (shown in the second row). (e) Binding of monoclonal antibodies to 2019-nCoV RBD determined by ELISA. (f) Binding profiles of 2019-nCoV RBD to ACE2 and antibodies, and (g) competition of CR3022 and ACE2 with 2019-nCoV RBD measured by BLI in OctetRED96. |
T34 |
4176-4281 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Binding kinetics was evaluated using a 1:1 Langmuir binding model by ForteBio Data Analysis 7.0 software. |
T35 |
4282-4351 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In this study, we first expressed and purified 2019-nCoV RBD protein. |
T36 |
4352-4460 |
Sentence |
denotes |
We also predicted the conformations of 2019-nCoV RBD and its complex with the putative receptor, human ACE2. |
T37 |
4461-4634 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Comparison of the interaction between the complex of ACE2 [13] and SARS-CoV RBD and homology model of ACE2 and 2019-nCoV RBD revealed similar binding modes (data not shown). |
T38 |
4635-4772 |
Sentence |
denotes |
In both complexes, β5–β6 loop and β6–β7 loop form extensive contact, including at least seven pairs of hydrogen bonds, with the receptor. |
T39 |
4773-4893 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Notably, R426 on the forth α helix in SARS-CoV RBD builds a salt bridge with E329 and a hydrogen bond with Q325 on ACE2. |
T40 |
4894-5108 |
Sentence |
denotes |
However, the arginine (R426 in SARS-CoV RBD) to asparagine (N439) mutation in 2019-nCoV RBD abolished the strong polar interactions, which may induce a decrease in the binding affinity between RBD and the receptor. |
T41 |
5109-5292 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Interestingly, a lysine (K417 in 2019-nCoV RBD) replacement of valine (V404 in SARS-CoV RBD) on β6 formed an extra salt bridge with D30 on ACE2, which may recover the binding ability. |
T42 |
5293-5414 |
Sentence |
denotes |
These data indicate that the RBD in S protein of 2019-nCoV may bind to ACE2 with a similar affinity as SARS-CoV RBD does. |
T43 |
5415-5582 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Indeed, we measured the binding of 2019-nCoV RBD to human ACE2 by the biolayer interferometry binding (BLI) assay, and found that 2019-nCoV RBD bound potently to ACE2. |
T44 |
5583-5755 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The calculated affinity (KD) of 2019-nCoV RBD with human ACE2 was 15.2 nM (Figure 1(f)), which is comparable to that of SARS-CoV spike protein with human ACE2 (15 nM) [14]. |
T45 |
5756-5909 |
Sentence |
denotes |
These results indicate that ACE2 could be the potential receptor for the new coronavirus, and that the expressed 2019-nCoV RBD protein is functional [2]. |
T46 |
5910-6292 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Next, we expressed and purified several representative SARS-CoV-specific antibodies which have been reported to target RBD and possess potent neutralizing activities, including m396 [3], CR3014 [4], CR3022 [5], as well as a MERS-CoV-specific human monoclonal antibody m336 developed by our laboratory [15], and measured their binding ability to 2019-nCoV RBD by ELISA (Figure 1(e)). |
T47 |
6293-6392 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Surprisingly, we found that most of these antibodies did not show evident binding to 2019-nCoV RBD. |
T48 |
6393-6468 |
Sentence |
denotes |
To confirm this result, we further measured the binding kinetics using BLI. |
T49 |
6469-6533 |
Sentence |
denotes |
An irrelevant anti-CD40 antibody was used as a negative control. |
T50 |
6534-6695 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Similarly, the antibody m396, which was predicted to bind 2019-nCoV RBD (Figure 1(d)), only showed slight binding at the highest measured concentration (2.0 µM). |
T51 |
6696-6845 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Further studies are needed to solve the high-resolution structure of 2019-nCoV RBD and understand why it could not be recognized by these antibodies. |
T52 |
6846-6988 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Notably, one SARS-CoV-specific antibody, CR3022, was found to bind potently with 2019-nCoV RBD as determined by ELISA and BLI (Figure 1(e,f)). |
T53 |
6989-7135 |
Sentence |
denotes |
It followed a fast-on (kon of 1.84 × 105 Ms−1) and slow-off (koff of 1.16 × 10−3 s−1) binding kinetics, resulting in a KD of 6.3 nM (Figure 1(f)). |
T54 |
7136-7291 |
Sentence |
denotes |
This antibody was isolated from blood of a convalescent SARS patient and did not compete with the antibody CR3014 for binding to recombinant S protein [5]. |
T55 |
7292-7431 |
Sentence |
denotes |
To further elucidate the binding epitopes of CR3022, we measured the competition of CR3022 and human ACE2 for the binding to 2019-nCoV RBD. |
T56 |
7432-7617 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The streptavidin biosensors labelled with biotinylated 2019-nCoV RBD were saturated with human ACE2 in solution, followed by the addition of the test antibodies in the presence of ACE2. |
T57 |
7618-7735 |
Sentence |
denotes |
As shown in Figure 1(g), the antibody CR3022 did not show any competition with ACE2 for the binding to 2019-nCoV RBD. |
T58 |
7736-7908 |
Sentence |
denotes |
These results suggest that CR3022, distinct from the other two SARS-CoV antibodies, recognizes an epitope that does not overlap with the ACE2 binding site of 2019-nCoV RBD. |
T59 |
7909-8005 |
Sentence |
denotes |
The RBD of 2019-nCoV differs largely from the SARS-CoV at the C-terminus residues (Figure 1(c)). |
T60 |
8006-8207 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Our results implied that such a difference did not result in drastic changes in the capability to engage the ACE2 receptor, but had a critical impact on the cross-reactivity of neutralizing antibodies. |
T61 |
8208-8501 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Some of the most potent SARS-CoV-specific neutralizing antibodies (e.g. m396, CR3014) that target the receptor binding site of SARS-CoV failed to bind 2019-nCoV spike protein, indicating that it is necessary to develop novel monoclonal antibodies that could bind specifically to 2019-nCoV RBD. |
T62 |
8502-8736 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Interestingly, it was reported that the antibody CR3022 completely neutralized both the wild-type SARS-CoV and the CR3014 escape viruses at a concentration of 23.5 μg/ml, and that no escape variants could be generated with CR3022 [5]. |
T63 |
8737-8874 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Furthermore, the mixture of CR3022 and CR3014 neutralized SARS-CoV in a synergistic fashion by recognizing different epitopes on RBD [5]. |
T64 |
8875-9087 |
Sentence |
denotes |
These results suggest that CR3022 has the potential to be developed as candidate therapeutics, alone or in combination with other neutralizing antibodies, for the prevention and treatment of 2019-nCoV infections. |
T65 |
9088-9284 |
Sentence |
denotes |
We expect more cross-reactive antibodies against 2019-nCoV and SARS-CoV or other coronaviruses to be identified soon, facilitating the development of effective antiviral therapeutics and vaccines. |
T66 |
9286-9308 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Supplementary Material |
T67 |
9309-9330 |
Sentence |
denotes |
Supplemental Material |