Characterization of SARS-CoV-2-specific humoral immunity and its potential applications and therapeutic prospects

摘要

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),is an ongoing pandemic that poses a great threat to human health worldwide.As the humoral immune response plays essential roles in disease occurrence and development,understanding the dynamics and characteristics of virus-specific humoral immunity in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients is of great importance for controlling this disease.In this review,we summarize the characteristics of the humoral immune response after SARS-CoV-2 infection and further emphasize the potential applications and therapeutic prospects of SARSCoV-2-specific humoral immunity and the critical role of this immunity in vaccine development.Notably,serological antibody testing based on the humoral immune response can guide public health measures and control strategies;however,it is not recommended for population surveys in areas with very low prevalence.Existing evidence suggests that asymptomatic individuals have a weaker immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection,whereas SARS-CoV-2-infected children have a more effective humoral immune response than adults.The correlations between antibody(especially neutralizing antibody)titers and protection against SARS-CoV-2 reinfection should be further examined.In addition,the emergence of cross-reactions among different coronavirus antigens in the development of screening technology and the risk of antibody-dependent enhancement related to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination should be given further attention.