Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.617: host tropism, proteolytic activation, cell-cell fusion, and neutralization sensitivity.

ABSTRACT: SARS-CoV-2 has caused the COVID-19 pandemic. B.1.617 variants (including Kappa and Delta) have been transmitted rapidly in India. The transmissibility, pathogenicity, and neutralization characteristics of these variants have received considerable interest. In this study, 22 pseudotyped viruses were constructed for B.1.617 variants and their corresponding single amino acid mutations. B.1.617 variants did not exhibit significant enhanced infectivity in human cells, but mutations T478K and E484Q in the receptor binding domain led to enhanced infectivity in mouse ACE2-overexpressing cells. Furin activities were slightly increased against B.1.617 variants and cell-cell fusion after infection of B.1.617 variants were enhanced. Furthermore, B.1.617 variants escaped neutralization by several mAbs,

SUBMITTER: Zhang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9004538 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature