Author:
Pape Constantin,Remme Roman,Wolny Adrian,Olberg Sylvia,Wolf Steffen,Cerrone Lorenzo,Cortese Mirko,Klaus Severina,Lucic Bojana,Ullrich Stephanie,Anders-Össwein Maria,Wolf Stefanie,Cerikan Berati,Neufeldt Christopher J.,Ganter Markus,Schnitzler Paul,Merle Uta,Lusic Marina,Boulant Steeve,Stanifer Megan,Bartenschlager Ralf,Hamprecht Fred A.,Kreshuk Anna,Tischer Christian,Kräusslich Hans-Georg,Müller Barbara,Laketa Vibor
Abstract
AbstractEmergence of the novel pathogenic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and its rapid pandemic spread presents numerous questions and challenges that demand immediate attention. Among these is the urgent need for a better understanding of humoral immune response against the virus as a basis for developing public health strategies to control viral spread. For this, sensitive, specific and quantitative serological assays are required. Here we describe the development of a semi-quantitative high-content microscopy-based assay for detection of three major classes (IgG, IgA and IgM) of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies in human samples. The possibility to detect antibodies against the entire viral proteome together with a robust semi-automated image analysis workflow resulted in specific, sensitive and unbiased assay which complements the portfolio of SARS-CoV-2 serological assays. The procedure described here has been used for clinical studies and provides a general framework for the application of quantitative high-throughput microscopy to rapidly develop serological assays for emerging virus infections.
Publisher
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory