Enhanced neutralization resistance of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants BQ.1, BQ.1.1, BA.4.6, BF.7, and BA.2.75.2

• DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2022.11.012
• Publication Date: 2022-11-22T07:22:47Z
• Authors: Panke Qu; John P. Evans; Julia N. Faraone; Yi-Min Zheng; Claire Carlin; Mirela Anghelina; Patrick Stevens; Soledad Fernandez; Daniel Jones; Gerard Lozanski; Ashish Panchal; Linda J. Saif; Eugene M. Oltz; Kai Xu; Richard J. Gumina; Shan-Lu Liu
• Keywords: Medical Sciences; molecular modeling; Bioinformatics; SARS-CoV-2; 610; COVID-19; neutralization; mutations; Antibodies, Neutralizing; Antibodies; Biomedical Informatics; 3. Good health; Short Article; Oncology; Omicron subvariants; Mutation; Medical Specialties; Medicine and Health Sciences; Humans; Neutralizing; Immune Evasion

The continued evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has led to the emergence of several new Omicron subvariants, including BQ.1, BQ.1.1, BA.4.6, BF.7, and BA.2.75.2. Here, we examine the neutralization resistance of these subvariants against sera from 3-dose vaccinated healthcare workers, hospitalized BA.1-wave patients, and BA.4/5-wave patients. We found enhanced neutralization resistance in all new subvariants, especially in the BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 subvariants driven by N460K and K444T mutations, as well as the BA.2.75.2 subvariant driven largely by its F486S mutation. All Omicron subvariants maintained their weakened infectivity in Calu-3 cells, with the F486S mutation driving further diminished titer for the BA.2.75.2 subvariant. Molecular modeling revealed the mechanisms of antibody-mediated immune evasion by R346T, K444T, F486S, and D1199N mutations. Altogether, these findings shed light on the evolution of newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants.