The Fc-effector function of COVID-19 convalescent plasma contributes to SARS-CoV-2 treatment efficacy in mice

COVID-19 convalescent plasmas (CCPs) are chosen for plasma therapy based on neutralizing titers and anti-Spike immunoglobulin levels. However, CCP characteristics that promote SARS-CoV-2 control are complex and incompletely defined. Using an in vivo imaging approach, we demonstrate that CCPs with low neutral-izing (ID50 <= 1:250), but moderate to high Fc-effector activity, in contrast to those with poor Fc function, delay mortality and/or improve survival of SARS-CoV-2-challenged K18-hACE2 mice. The impact of innate immune cells on CCP efficacy depended on their residual neutralizing activity. Fractionation of a selected CCP re-vealed that IgG and Ig(M + A) were required during therapy, but the IgG fraction alone sufficed during prophy-laxis. Finally, despite reduced neutralization, ancestral SARS-CoV-2-elicited CCPs significantly delayed Delta and Beta-induced mortality suggesting that Fc-effector functions contribute to immunity against VOCs. Thus, Fc activity of CCPs provide a second line of defense when neutralization is compromised and can serve as an important criterion for CCP selection.

Automated summary

COVID-19 convalescent plasmas (CCPs) for plasma therapy are selected based on neutralizing titers and anti-Spike immunoglobulin levels. CCPs with moderate to high Fc-effector activity, despite low neutralizing ability, delay mortality and/or improve survival in SARS-CoV-2-challenged mice. The Fc-effector functions of CCPs contribute to immunity against variant strains.