Characterising the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein antibody response

作者：Charles O. Noble, Ellie McDonald, Suellen Nicholson, Sofie Biering‐Sørensen, Laure F. Pittet, Alexander M. P. Byrne, Júlio Croda, Margareth Pretti Dalcolmo, MVG Lacerda, Michaela Lucas, D L Lynn, Cristina Prat, PC Richmond, Adilia Warris, Nigel Curtis, Nicole L. Messina · 发表于：Journal of Infection · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106436 · 被引用次数：9 · 研究领域：SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research、COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies、vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches

OBJECTIVES: SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein antibodies can be used to identify the serological response to natural infection in those who have previously received a COVID-19 spike-based vaccine. Anti-N antibody responses can also be induced by inactivated whole SARS-CoV-2 virus vaccines, such as CoronaVac. We aimed to characterise antibody responses to the N protein following COVID-19 and following vaccination with CoronaVac. METHODS: Using participants from an international randomised controlled trial, we investigated the evolution of anti-N antibody responses over time in two separate groups: adults following COVID-19, and in adults following vaccination with CoronaVac. RESULTS: In 212 participants who had COVID-19, the anti-N seroconversion rate was 96.9% in those infected following an incomplete course of COVID-19 (spike-based) vaccinations and 88.2% in those infected following a complete course. Anti-N antibody indices were highly variable between participants, and higher in participants who had more severe COVID-19 symptoms, were aged ≥60 years, were unvaccinated, had comorbidities and those resident in Brazil. Most participants remained seropositive after 12 months. In 317 separate participants, the anti-N seroconversion rate was 63.5% following CoronaVac vaccination, with variable antibody indices. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-N responses to COVID-19 and CoronaVac are highly variable but persistent. A prior complete course of COVID-19 spike-based vaccination reduced both ant...