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O011 - SPERMATOGENESIS-RELATED AUTOANTIBODIES IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE AND LONG COVID-19 (ID 693)
Abstract
Background and Aims
Viruses are factors that may contribute to the production of autoantibodies and autoimmune diseases. Although few evidences have shown the involvement of autoimmunity in COVID-19 patients, numerous reports show that COVID-19 patients developed multiple types of autoantibodies, resulting from a hyperstimulation of the immune system or from molecular mimicry involving protein sequences in SARS-CoV-2 and self-components. Here, we assess the presence of IgG antibodies against spermatogenesis-related proteins in acute and long-COVID-19 patients.
Methods
A list of ~60 sequences containing at least 5 continuous residues shared by SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and spermatogenesis-linked proteins were identified. Four peptides were chemically-synthesized. Using ELISA screening, we analyzed more than 300 sera from independent cohorts of acute and long COVID-19 patients. Sera from donors collected before the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 were used as control.
Results
Among the four peptides analysed, two of them were recognized by IgG antibodies of COVID-19 patients. The two others didn’t show any reactivity. Correlative studies have been carried out to define possible links between peptide autoantibodies reactivity and clinical signs of disease or biological markers developed by patients. Some significant associations have been identified, which differ according to the gender of patients.
Conclusions
Preliminary data indicate first that some COVID-19 patients produce autoantibodies linked to spermatogenesis suggesting that cross-reactivity is a potential mechanism linking anti-viral immune responses, spermatogenesis-associated antigen alterations and possible male fertility disorders. Second, the peptide cross-reactivity identified in this study might be useful to predict possible after-effects of COVID-19 on fertility that may develop years after infection by SARS-CoV-2.