The effect of spike mutations on SARS-CoV-2 neutralization

• DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108890
• Publication Date: 2021-03-07T16:42:54Z
• Authors: Chloe Rees-Spear; Luke Muir; Sarah A. Griffith; Judith Heaney; Yoann Aldon; Jonne L. Snitselaar; Peter Thomas; Carl Graham; Jeffrey Seow; Nayung Lee; Annachiara Rosa; Chloe Roustan; Catherine F. Houl...; Rogier W. Sanders; Ravindra K. Gupta; Peter Cherepanov; Hans J. Stauss; Eleni Nastouli; Katie J. Doores; Marit J. van Gils; Laura E. McCoy
• Keywords: Polyclonal antibodies; spike protein; Coronavirus

Multiple severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines show protective efficacy, which is most likely mediated by neutralizing antibodies recognizing the viral entry protein, spike. Because new SARS-CoV-2 variants are emerging rapidly, as exemplified B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1 lineages, it critical to understand whether antibody responses induced infection with original virus or current remain effective. In this study, we evaluate neutralization of a series mutated spike pseudotypes based on divergence from SARS-CoV then compare B.1.1.7 pseudotype individual mutations. Spike-specific monoclonal reduced dramatically; in contrast, polyclonal individuals infected early 2020 active against pseudotypes, but potency minority samples. This work highlights that changes can alter sensitivity underlines need for effective real-time monitoring mutations their effect vaccine efficacy.