Increased Receptor Affinity and Reduced Recognition by Specific Antibodies Contribute to Immune Escape of SARS-CoV-2 Variant Omicron.

ABSTRACT: In this report, we mechanistically reveal how the Variant of Concern (VOC) SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) escapes neutralizing antibody responses, by physio-chemical characterization of this variant in comparison to the wild-type Wuhan and the Delta variant (B.1.617.2). Convalescent sera, as well as sera obtained from participants who received two or three doses of mRNA vaccines (Moderna-mRNA-1273^® or Pfizer-BNT162b2^®), were used for comparison in this study. Our data demonstrate that both Delta, as well as Omicron variants, exhibit a higher affinity for the receptor ACE2, facilitating infection and causing antibody escape by receptor affinity (affinity escape), due to the reduced ability of antibodies to compete with RBD-receptor interaction and virus neutralization.

SUBMITTER: Vogt AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9147318 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature