AI Article Synopsis

  • The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 includes various sublineages such as BA.2, BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5, which are now more prevalent than the earlier BA.1 variant.
  • These sublineages have mutations that enhance binding to ACE2, reduce cell fusion capabilities, and significantly lower neutralizing antibody responses from previous infections or vaccines.
  • However, booster shots using the original Wuhan-Hu-1 spike sequence can significantly enhance neutralizing antibody levels, suggesting that while initial vaccinations may be less effective against Omicron, boosters can still provide strong protection against severe illness.

Article Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant of concern comprises several sublineages, with BA.2 and BA.2.12.1 having replaced the previously dominant BA.1 and with BA.4 and BA.5 increasing in prevalence worldwide. We show that the large number of Omicron sublineage spike mutations leads to enhanced angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) binding, reduced fusogenicity, and severe dampening of plasma neutralizing activity elicited by infection or seven clinical vaccines relative to the ancestral virus. Administration of a homologous or heterologous booster based on the Wuhan-Hu-1 spike sequence markedly increased neutralizing antibody titers and breadth against BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5 across all vaccines evaluated. Our data suggest that although Omicron sublineages evade polyclonal neutralizing antibody responses elicited by primary vaccine series, vaccine boosters may provide sufficient protection against Omicron-induced severe disease.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9348749PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.abq0203DOI Listing

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