COVID-19 Severity Is Associated with Differential Antibody Fc-Mediated Innate Immune Functions
Opeyemi S. Adeniji, Leila B. Giron, Mansi Purwar, Netanel Zilberstein, Abhijeet J. Kulkarni, Maliha Shaikh, R.A. Balk, James N. Moy, Christopher B. Forsyth, Qin Liu, Harsh Dweep, Andrew V. Kossenkov, David B. Weiner, Ali Keshavarzian, Alan Landay, Mohamed Abdel‐Mohsen
Abstract
A state of hyperinflammation and increased complement activation has been associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to this phenomenon remain mostly unknown. Our data point to a qualitative, rather than quantitative, difference in SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies' ability to elicit Fc-mediated innate immune functions as a potential contributor to COVID-19 severity and associated inflammation. These data highlight the need for further studies to understand these qualitative features and their potential contribution to COVID-19 severity. This understanding could be essential to develop antibody-based COVID-19 therapeutics and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines with an optimal balance between efficacy and safety.