Analysis of SARS-CoV-2–specific B cells

Screening SARS-CoV-2–specific B cells can support the evaluation of efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and also the prognosis of severe COVID-19 development. The SARS-CoV-2 B Cell Analysis Kit, human offers an easy and ready-to-use solution for detection, quantification, and phenotyping of spike- and RBD-specific B cells circulating in peripheral blood. 

Find out more details in our online application protocol: Analysis of SARS-CoV-2–specific B cells using recombinant SARS-CoV-2 proteins

Magnetic separation of SARS-CoV-2–specific B cells

Positive selection of SARS-CoV-2–specific B cells using the SARS-CoV-2 B Cell MicroBead Kit, human  facilitates the enrichment of B cells specific for spike proteins or RBD.  

The several-fold enriched antigen-specific B cells can be used for:

• expansion in culture
• molecular analysis, such as B cell receptor (BCR) cloning and sequencing
• single clone culture

Find out more details in our online application protocol: Enrichment of SARS-CoV-2–specific B cells using recombinant SARS-CoV-2 proteins

Microchip-based sorting of SARS-CoV-2–specific B cells 

After staining with SARS-CoV-2 B Cell Analysis Kit, human, antigen-specific B cells, recognizing SARS-CoV-2 antigens, can be sorted using the MACSQuant® Tyto® Cell Sorter. These can be then used for further applications, including further expansion in culture, molecular analysis, and single clone culture.

Find out more details in our online application protocol: Microchip-based cell sorting and expansion of SARS-CoV-2–specific B cells using the MACSQuant Tyto Cell Sorter

Expansion of SARS-CoV-2–specific B cells

After enrichment, SARS-CoV-2–specific B cells can be cultured using B Cell Expansion Kit, human. 

The combination of CD40L, cross-linking antibody, and IL-4 included in the B Cell Expansion Kit allows you to expand the B cell population by several fold and obtain activated cells with a distribution of memory and plasma cells similar to the original fraction. 

After expanding SARS-CoV-2–specific B cells, SARS-CoV-2–specific IgG antibodies can be detected in the supernatant, confirming that the B Cell Expansion Kit, human supports the expansion of fully functional antibody-secreting cells, suitable for applications such as monoclonal antibody discovery and generation.