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SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-B.1.1.529 leads to widespread escape from neutralizing antibody responses.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Dejnirattisai, Wanwisa 
Huo, Jiandong 
Zhou, Daming 
Zahradník, Jiří 
Supasa, Piyada 

Abstract

On 24th November 2021, the sequence of a new SARS-CoV-2 viral isolate Omicron-B.1.1.529 was announced, containing far more mutations in Spike (S) than previously reported variants. Neutralization titers of Omicron by sera from vaccinees and convalescent subjects infected with early pandemic Alpha, Beta, Gamma, or Delta are substantially reduced, or the sera failed to neutralize. Titers against Omicron are boosted by third vaccine doses and are high in both vaccinated individuals and those infected by Delta. Mutations in Omicron knock out or substantially reduce neutralization by most of the large panel of potent monoclonal antibodies and antibodies under commercial development. Omicron S has structural changes from earlier viruses and uses mutations that confer tight binding to ACE2 to unleash evolution driven by immune escape. This leads to a large number of mutations in the ACE2 binding site and rebalances receptor affinity to that of earlier pandemic viruses.

Description

Keywords

Omicron, RBD, SARS-CoV-2, Spike, immune evasion, receptor interaction, vaccines, variants

Journal Title

Cell

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0092-8674
1097-4172

Volume Title

185

Publisher

Elsevier BV
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (MR/P011705/1)