The potential of COVID-19 patients’ sera to cause antibody-dependent enhancement of infection and IL-6 production

• Main Authors: Jun Shimizu, Tadahiro Sasaki, Atsushi Yamanaka, Yoko Ichihara, Ritsuko Koketsu, Yoshihiro Samune, Pedro Cruz, Kei Sato, Naomi Tanga, Yuka Yoshimura, Ami Murakami, Misuzu Yamada, Kiyoe Itoi, Emi E. Nakayama, Kazuo Miyazaki, Tatsuo Shioda
• Other Authors: Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University
• Format: Article
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: Multidisciplinary
• Online Access: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/79188
• Institution: Mahidol University

Since the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), many vaccine trials have been initiated. An important goal of vaccination is the development of neutralizing antibody (Ab) against SARS-CoV-2. However, the possible induction of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection, which is known for other coronaviruses and dengue virus infections, is a particular concern in vaccine development. Here, we demonstrated that human iPS cell-derived, immortalized, and ACE2- and TMPRSS2-expressing myeloid cell lines are useful as host cells for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The established cell lines were cloned and screened based on their function in terms of susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2-infection or IL-6 productivity. Using the resulting K-ML2 (AT) clone 35 for SARS-CoV-2-infection or its subclone 35–40 for IL-6 productivity, it was possible to evaluate the potential of sera from severe COVID-19 patients to cause ADE and to stimulate IL-6 production upon infection with SARS-CoV-2.