SARS-CoV-2 variants C.1.2 and B.1.621 (Mu) partially evade neutralization by antibodies elicited upon infection or vaccination

Arora P, Kempf A, Nehlmeier I, Graichen L, Winkler MS, Lier M, Schulz S, Jäck HM, Cossmann A, Stankov MV, Behrens GM, Pöhlmann S, Hoffmann M (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

Cell Reports Elsevier (Cell Press)

Book Volume: 39

Article Number: 110754

Journal Issue: 5

DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110754

Abstract

Rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants C.1.2 and B.1.621 (Mu variant) in Africa and the Americas, respectively, as well as a high number of mutations in the viral spike proteins raised concerns that these variants might pose an elevated threat to human health. Here, we show that C.1.2 and B.1.621 spike proteins mediate increased entry into certain cell lines but do not exhibit increased ACE2 binding. Further, we demonstrate that C.1.2 and B.1.621 are resistant to neutralization by bamlanivimab but remain sensitive to inhibition by antibody cocktails used for COVID-19 therapy. Finally, we show that C.1.2 and B.1.621 partially escape neutralization by antibodies induced upon infection and vaccination, with escape of vaccine-induced antibodies being as potent as that measured for B.1.351 (Beta variant), which is known to be highly neutralization resistant. Collectively, C.1.2 and B.1.621 partially evade control by vaccine-induced antibodies, suggesting that close monitoring of these variants is warranted.

Authors with CRIS profile

Sebastian Schulz Professur für Immunologie Hans-Martin Jäck Department of Molecular Immunology

Involved external institutions

Deutsches Primatenzentrum (DPZ), Leibniz-Institut für Primatenforschung DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Göttingen DE Germany (DE) Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH) / Hannover Medical School DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Arora, P., Kempf, A., Nehlmeier, I., Graichen, L., Winkler, M.S., Lier, M.,... Hoffmann, M. (2022). SARS-CoV-2 variants C.1.2 and B.1.621 (Mu) partially evade neutralization by antibodies elicited upon infection or vaccination. Cell Reports, 39(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110754

MLA:

Arora, Prerna, et al. "SARS-CoV-2 variants C.1.2 and B.1.621 (Mu) partially evade neutralization by antibodies elicited upon infection or vaccination." Cell Reports 39.5 (2022).

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