Since the beginning of the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 has shown genetic variability. All the variants that have sustained pandemic waves have shown several mutations, especially in the Spike protein that could affect viral pathogenesis. A total of 15,729 respiratory samples, collected between December 2020 and August 2022, have been included in this study. We report the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants in the Lombardy region, Italy, in a 2-year study period. Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants became predominant causing the majority of cases whereas Beta or Gamma variants mostly caused local outbreaks. Next-generation sequencing revealed several mutations and few deletions in all of the main variants. For example, 147 mutations were observed in the Spike protein of Omicron sublineages; 20% of these mutations occurred in the receptor-binding domain region.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2023.116070 | DOI Listing |
The emerging of emergent SARS-CoV-2 subvariants has reduced the protective efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, novel COVID-19 vaccines targeting these emergent variants are needed. We designed and prepared CoV072, an mRNA-based vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (EG.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Immunol
December 2024
Integrated Metabolomics Research Group, Metropolitan Seoul Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Introduction: The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants, notably delta and omicron, has significantly accelerated the global pandemic, worsening conditions worldwide. However, there is a lack of research concerning the molecular mechanisms related to immune responses and metabolism induced by these variants.
Methods: Here, metabolomics combined with transcriptomics was performed to elucidate the immunometabolic changes in the lung of hamsters infected with delta and omicron variants.
Eur J Med Res
January 2025
Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
Background: The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, since its initial detection, has rapidly spread across the globe, becoming the dominant strain. It is important to study the immune response of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant due to its remarkable ability to escape the majority of existing SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies. The surge in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infections among most Chinese residents by the end of 2022 provides a unique opportunity to understand immune system's response to Omicron in populations with limited exposure to prior SARS-CoV-2 variants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCell Rep
January 2025
Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA. Electronic address:
Virus neutralization profiles against primary infection sera and corresponding antigenic cartography are integral part of the COVID-19 and influenza vaccine strain selection processes. Human single variant exposure sera have previously defined the antigenic relationships among SARS-CoV-2 variants but are now largely unavailable due to widespread population immunity. Therefore, antigenic characterization of future SARS-CoV-2 variants will require an animal model, analogous to using ferrets for influenza virus.
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