Identification of differences in the magnitude and specificity of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antibody responses in naturally infected and vaccinated individuals.

As there are limited data on B-cell epitopes for the nucleocapsid protein in SARS-CoV-2, we sought to identify the immunodominant regions within the N protein, recognized by patients with varying severity of natural infection with the Wuhan strain (WT), delta, omicron, and in those who received the Sinopharm vaccines, which is an inactivated, whole virus vaccine. Using overlapping peptides representing the N protein, with an in-house ELISA, we mapped the immunodominant regions within the N protein, in seronegative (n = 30), WT infected (n = 30), delta infected (n = 30), omicron infected + vaccinated (n = 20) and Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) vaccinees (n = 30). We then investigated the sensitivity and specificity of these immunodominant regions and analyzed their conservation with other SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, seasonal human coronaviruses, and bat Sarbecoviruses.

Identification of differences in the magnitude and specificity of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antibody responses in naturally infected and vaccinated individuals.

Background: As there are limited data on B cell epitopes for the nucleocapsid protein in SARS-CoV-2, we sought to identify the immunodominant regions within the N protein, recognized by patients with varying severity of natural infection with the Wuhan strain (WT), delta, omicron and in those who received the Sinopharm vaccines, which is an inactivated, whole virus vaccine.

Methods: Using overlapping peptides representing the N protein, with an in-house ELISA, we mapped the immunodominant regions within the N protein, in seronegative (n=30), WT infected (n=30), delta infected (n=30), omicron infected+vaccinated (n=20) and Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) vaccinees (n=30). We then investigated the sensitivity and specificity of these immunodominant regions and analysed their conservation with other SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, seasonal human coronaviruses and bat Sarbecoviruses.