JN.1 variants circulating in Italy from October 2023 to April 2024: genetic diversity and immune recognition.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and subvariants poses significant public health challenges. The latest designated subvariant JN.1, with all its descendants, shows more than 30 mutations in the spike gene. JN.1 has raised concerns due to its genomic diversity and its potential to enhance transmissibility and immune evasion. This study aims to analyse the molecular characteristics of JN.1-related lineages (JN.1*) identified in Italy from October 2023 to April 2024 and to evaluate the neutralization activity against JN.1 of a subsample of sera from individuals vaccinated with XBB.1.5 mRNA.

Methods

The genomic diversity of the spike gene of 794 JN.1* strain was evaluated and phylogenetic analysis was conducted to compare the distance to XBB.1.5. Moreov

SUBMITTER: Giombini E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11871800 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature