Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies in Sera Using Live Virus Microneutralization Assay

Neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) make a defense line against viral attacks by binding to viruses to shield infections. A neutralizing antibody interferes with the virus in different ways as it may block the cell receptor or bind to viral capsid by inhibiting genome un-coating. The micro-neutralization (MN) assay is a basic technique for detecting viruses in epidemiological, immunological, virological studies, and vaccine assessment tests. The underlying mechanism of this assay is based on the detection of specific antigen-antibody reactions. It only detects the antibodies involved in the blockage of the virus replication. This technique is specifically helpful in evaluating specific micro-organism serotype neutralizing antibodies in the sera of humans and animals. It describes the neutralization or inhibition of replicating virus strains by antibodies in the sera of humans and animals. But highly constraint provisions may be required while working with live virus-based micro-neutralization techniques, particularly when handling precarious micro-organisms like severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Herein, all the possible data regarding isolation, amplification, and titration of SARS-CoV-2 and MN assay to measure nAbs level in the sera of mammalian species have been summarized.

Keywords: Antibodies, Microneutralization, Neutralization, SARS-CoV-2.