Genetically engineered pair of cells for serological testing and its application for SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

We have developed a serology test platform for identifying individuals with prior exposure to specific viral infections and provide data to help reduce public health risks. The serology test composed of a pair of cell lines engineered to express either a viral envelop protein (Target Cell) or a receptor to recognize the Fc region of an antibody (Reporter Cell), that is, Diagnostic-Cell-Complex (DxCell-Complex). The formation of an immune synapse, facilitated by the analyte antibody, resulted into a dual-reporter protein expression by the Reporter Cell. We validated it with human serum with confirmed history of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. No signal amplification steps were necessary. The DxCell-Complex quantitatively detected the target-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) within 1 h. Validation with clinical human serum containing SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies confirmed 97.04% sensitivity and 93.33% specificity. The platform can be redirected against other antibodies. Self-replication and activation-induced cell signaling, two attributes of the cell, will enable rapid and cost-effective manufacturing and its operation in healthcare facilities without requiring time-consuming signal amplification steps.