USA SARS-CoV-2 Epsilon Variant: Though Highly Transmissible has an Adjusted Muted Host T-Cell Response.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The multiple mutations comprising the epsilon variant demonstrates the independent convergent evolution of SARS-CoV-2, with its spike protein mutation L452R present in the delta (L452R), kappa(L452R) and lambda (L452Q) variants.

Methods

COVID variants were detected in 1017 patients using whole genome sequencing and assessed for outcome and severity. The mechanistic effects of the episilon versus non epsilon variant were investigated using a multiomic approach including: cellular response assays and paired cell and host transcriptomic and proteomic profiling.

Results

We found patients carrying the epsilon variant had increased mortality but not increased hospitalizations (P < 0.02). Cells infected with live epsilon compared to non-epsilon virus displayed inc

SUBMITTER: Plummer JT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9383744 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature