Binding and Avidity Signatures of Polyclonal Sera From Individuals With Different Exposure Histories to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection, Vaccination, and Omicron Breakthrough Infections

Background The number of exposures to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to vaccine antigens affect the magnitude and avidity of the polyclonal response. Methods We studied binding and avidity of different antibody isotypes to the spike, the receptor-binding domain (RBD), and the nucleoprotein (NP) of wild-type (WT) and BA.1 SARS-CoV-2 in convalescent, mRNA vaccinated and/or boosted, hybrid immune individuals and in individuals with breakthrough cases during the peak of the BA.1 wave. Results We found an increase in spike-binding antibodies and antibody avidity with increasing number of exposures to infection and/or vaccination. NP antibodies were detectible in convalescent individuals and a proportion of breakthrough cases, but they displayed low avidity. Omicron breakthrough infections elicited high levels of cross-reactive antibodies between WT and BA.1 antigens in vaccinated individuals without prior infection directed against the spike and RBD. The magnitude of the antibody response and avidity correlated with neutralizing activity against WT virus. Conclusions The magnitude and quality of the antibody response increased with the number of antigenic exposures, including breakthrough infections. However, cross-reactivity of the antibody response after BA.1 breakthroughs, was affected by the number of prior exposures. Antibody binding, neutralization, and avidity increase with more antigenic exposures. Nucleoprotein-directed antibodies increase after Omicron breakthrough infection but display low avidity, and antibodies induced by Omicron breakthrough infection in double-vaccinated individuals broadly react against ancestral and Omicron receptor-binding domain/spike antigens.

Automated summary

This study investigates the impact of exposures to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccine antigens on the antibody response. The results show that binding and avidity of antibodies increase with the number of exposures to infection and/or vaccination. However, cross-reactivity of the antibody response after BA.1 breakthroughs is affected by the number of prior exposures.