Loss of IgA and IgM Compromises Broad Neutralization of Structurally Divergent SARS-CoV-2 Variants

<b>Objectives:</b> The durability and breadth of neutralizing antibodies following SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate how longitudinal changes in antibody isotype composition impact neutralization against structurally diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants. <b>Methods:</b> After screening a broader cohort of mRNA-vaccinated sera, time-matched samples collected one month (1 mpv) and three months post-vaccination (3 mpv) were selected for detailed analysis. Neutralization assays against live virus variants, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and immunogold electron microscopy were performed to assess antibody titers, isotype levels, and virion morphology. <b>Results:</b> Neutralization titers declined markedly at 3 mpv, particularly against immune-evasive variants. Notably, the Lambda variant showed disproportionately high sensitivity to early-phase sera despite its divergence from the vaccine strain. Antibody isotyping showed that IgA and IgM decreased over time, while IgG levels were relatively more sustained. Electron microscopy revealed broader virion size heterogeneity in Lambda (50-200 nm) compared to Wuhan (80-120 nm), potentially enhancing multivalent antibody engagement. Consistently, ELISA under reduced spike density conditions showed that IgA and IgM retained stronger binding than IgG. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings indicate that the decline of IgA and IgM compromises neutralization breadth, especially against structurally divergent variants such as Lambda. Sustaining dynamic multivalent isotype responses that adapt to diverse spike morphologies may be critical for broad cross-variant immunity.

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Publication Details

Journal
Antibodies
Published
2025-07-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/antib14030059
Citations
1
Primary Topic
SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.40

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article

Loss of IgA and IgM Compromises Broad Neutralization of Structurally Divergent SARS-CoV-2 Variants

Yalçın Pısıl, Tomoyuki Miura, Kiyoshi Ito, Yoh‐ichi Watanabe
1 citations
Antibodies
SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
1.40
article

Loss of IgA and IgM Compromises Broad Neutralization of Structurally Divergent SARS-CoV-2 Variants

Yalçın Pısıl, Tomoyuki Miura, Kiyoshi Ito, Yoh‐ichi Watanabe
article en
1 citations

Abstract

<b>Objectives:</b> The durability and breadth of neutralizing antibodies following SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate how longitudinal changes in antibody isotype composition impact neutralization against structurally diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants. <b>Methods:</b> After screening a broader cohort of mRNA-vaccinated sera, time-matched samples collected one month (1 mpv) and three months post-vaccination (3 mpv) were selected for detailed analysis. Neutralization assays against live virus variants, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and immunogold electron microscopy were performed to assess antibody titers, isotype levels, and virion morphology. <b>Results:</b> Neutralization titers declined markedly at 3 mpv, particularly against immune-evasive variants. Notably, the Lambda variant showed disproportionately high sensitivity to early-phase sera despite its divergence from the vaccine strain. Antibody isotyping showed that IgA and IgM decreased over time, while IgG levels were relatively more sustained. Electron microscopy revealed broader virion size heterogeneity in Lambda (50-200 nm) compared to Wuhan (80-120 nm), potentially enhancing multivalent antibody engagement. Consistently, ELISA under reduced spike density conditions showed that IgA and IgM retained stronger binding than IgG. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings indicate that the decline of IgA and IgM compromises neutralization breadth, especially against structurally divergent variants such as Lambda. Sustaining dynamic multivalent isotype responses that adapt to diverse spike morphologies may be critical for broad cross-variant immunity.

AntibodiesVol. 14(3)
Kanazawa University (JP), Kyoto Medical Center (JP)
Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Ondokuz Mayis Üniversitesi
Openalex Percentile: Top 18%
SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
1.40
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