Neutralization escape, infectivity, and membrane fusion of JN.1-derived SARS-CoV-2 SLip, FLiRT, and KP.2 variants.

ABSTRACT: We investigate JN.1-derived subvariants SLip, FLiRT, and KP.2 for neutralization by antibodies in vaccinated individuals, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected patients, or class III monoclonal antibody S309. Compared to JN.1, SLip, KP.2, and especially FLiRT exhibit increased resistance to bivalent-vaccinated and BA.2.86/JN.1-wave convalescent human sera. XBB.1.5 monovalent-vaccinated hamster sera robustly neutralize FLiRT and KP.2 but have reduced efficiency for SLip. All subvariants are resistant to S309 and show decreased infectivity, cell-cell fusion, and spike processing relative to JN.1. Modeling reveals that L455S and F456L in SLip reduce spike binding for ACE2, while R346T in FLiRT and KP.2 strengthens it. These three mutations, alongside D339H, alt

SUBMITTER: Li P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11430188 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature