The post-COVID associated autoantibody repertoire

Symptoms persisting after COVID-19 have emerged as a major health challenge. A leading hypothesis for post-COVID symptoms is a dysregulated immune response.

Here, we propose a four-year project where we aim to perform a longitudinal, multimodal, and large-scale exploration of autoantibodies in a large number of individuals with various post-COVID symptoms.

Using our unique and well-established high-throughput and multiplex protein array technologies, we will determine a temporal map of the autoantibody repertoire before, during, and after COVID-19.

Combining this data with extensive medical records, we will establish the post-COVID associated autoantibody repertoire. Deeper characterisation of the identified autoantibodies will be performed using cutting-edge technologies.

By developing a procedure for enrichment of autoantibodies from human samples, we will enable cross-reactivity mapping and spatial characterisation in human tissue with unique precision. While the proposed project certainly is ambitious, it is achievable.

The feasibility builds on the infrastructure, experience and insights gathered within our COVID-19 serology efforts together with many years of autoantibody profiling, not at least within the Autopsychomics project (VR 2020-2022).

The project offers great possibilities to improve understanding of the post-COVID associated autoantibody repertoire, which may guide treatment and ultimately improve quality of life for those affected.