A SARS-CoV-2 antibody magnetic immuno-detection test

A new report, released on the preprint server bio Rxiv* by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, describes the development of an innovative serologic test that could provide a fast, easy, and inexpensive method of detecting high titers of antibody in the serum of SARS-CoV-2 infected people.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, which has affected over 6.59 million people worldwide and caused almost 400,000 deaths in just over five months. Asymptomatic infection is thought to be extremely common with this virus, making containment measures extremely difficult.

Why serologic testing?

The identification of infected individuals before they become symptomatic, if indeed they do, is therefore of the highest importance to public health measures. Another huge benefit is the ability to identify those who are immune, which could facilitate selective lockdown application in many regions while still allowing the resumption of economic activity, without unduly endangering public health.

Thirdly, the identification of infected individuals in an accurate manner can help to understand the actual disease potential, risk factors, and transmission characteristics of the virus. Finally, serologic testing will be useful to determine how strong and how lasting natural immunity is. For all such testing, it is essential to develop rapid, inexpensive, and conveniently applicable methods that can be used at the site of care. At present, there are few such available.

Current assays and their limitations

One currently used point-of-care testing system is the lateral flow assay, which offers fast and easy testing on-site but is not sensitive or specific enough, besides lacking the ability to measure antibody concentrations. These are therefore inferior to laboratory-based test formats that use enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Currently, the weak link in the serologic assays now available is the test antigen used. The strongest antigen is the spike (S) glycoprotein, which is targeted by neutralizing antibodies and is essential for virus entry into the host cell. The nucleocapsid (N) antigen is also immunogenic but cross-reacts with antibodies against other coronaviruses.

The S1 subunit of the S protein is typically recommended for specific detection of an immune response to SARS-CoV-2. Suitable tests, according to the above criteria, using this antigen, are not presently available.

The MInD Procedure

The use of Magnetic Immuno-Detection (MInD) could overcome this issue. This is a procedure based on immunofiltration, where an antigen-coated matrix is used to trap specific antibodies in the sample applied to the matrix by gravity flow. These antibodies are then detected using secondary antibodies.
Finally, specially designed magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are added to label the secondary antibodies, the unbound antibodies are washed out, and the magnetic read-out is then obtained with a portable device that uses frequency magnetic mixing detection technology (FMMD).

How the Study was Performed

The current paper reports a proof-of-concept study of the use of 
MInD vs. standard ELISA, in which  the former performs 
significantly better at specifically detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies
 in human serum.

The researchers used a peptide derived from the S protein of SARS-
CoV-2 to coat the immunofiltration columns. Next, reactive 
antibodies to this peptide were introduced at varying concentrations 
 into the columns and flushed through them. The specific antibodies
 bound to the coated antigen and were thus enriched in the column 
matrix.

They were then labeled using an isotype-specific biotinylated 
antibody. Then superparamagnetic streptavidin-functionalized 
magnetic particles were applied and flushed through the columns 
to label the secondary antibodies. After incubation, the excess 
MNPs were washed out, and the bound MNPs were detected using 
the FMMD-based portable magnetic reader.

The measuring signals correspond to the amount of bound antibody
 in the assayed sample.

Comparing the new method with laboratory-based ELISA, which 
was performed on the same sample as a reference point., threw up 
several observations.

Time-saving

The whole experiment took 161 minutes and can detect specific 
anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at a range of 3.4 to 477 ng/mL. This 
is extremely sensitive with respect to the typical IgG levels in human 
serum, at about 10 mg/mL, and increasing when the individual is 
exposed to the antigen.

Higher range, broader sensitivity

The commercially available test kits for specific anti-S1-subunit 
antibodies can pick up IgG antibodies in three-fourths of samples
 within 10-20 days of infection. More sensitive assays might detect
 antibodies early in the course of infection.

However, when compared to the ELISA assay, the MInD assay 
was capable of detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a range of 
2.95 to 2040 ng/mL, which is five times broader. This means the test 
is far more sensitive than ELISA, with a lower detection limit, and a 
wider range of detection. It also allows quantitative measurements 
due to the broad dynamic range.
The procedure took only 42 minutes, which is only a quarter of the 
 time required for the ELISA assay, which shows its potential for 
rapid testing. This can be further reduced by optimizing selected 
steps, such as reducing incubation time to 5 minutes or even less
 and using MNPs to which antigen-specific  antibodies are already 
bound. This would eliminate the need for incubation with secondary 
antibodies.With these adaptations, the total assay time would be 
below 20 minutes, which is comparable to that of a lateral flow
 assay.

Future Improvements and Implications

Other important innovations would be the use of antigens derived
 from the S1 subunit of the S protein,or multiple SARS-CoV-2 protein
 antigens in a mixture. Control antigens from other human 
coronaviruses should be tested to confirm the specificity of the 
enriched antibodies.

Multiplex testing using a range of MNPs could facilitate the 
detection of multiple subclasses of  antibodies in a single assay. 
This could be useful in that it not only demonstrates seroconversion 
but also the phase of the infection, and the course of antibody 
formation.Finally, optimizing the magnetic reader to a medical-
diagnostics instrument will make the test suitable  for such 
applications – such as including a barcode scanner and labeling 
the columns with patient-specific barcodes. The cost of the 
procedure is about a tenth or less of a typical ELISA,
 making it ideal for use in doctors’ offices.

The potential for the use of a single pipette for the assay procedure 
and the (perhaps battery-powered)  magnetic reader device makes 
the device appropriate for various medical applications. For 
instance, it could be used in nursing and elderly care homes, or at 
airports, for fast and convenient point-of-care testing.

Once a vaccine is available, the same method can be used to 
monitor the emergence of antibodies and  how long they last. Thus,
this technique can be used in multiple ways and at different time
 points, as a fast and convenient point-of-care measurement 
without extra cost or sophisticated equipment.

*Important Notice

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer
-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, 
 guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as 
established  information.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.      https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations   https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes     https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement