SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages show comparable cell entry but differential neutralization by therapeutic antibodies

Arora P, Zhang L, Krüger N, Rocha C, Sidarovich A, Schulz S, Kempf A, Graichen L, Moldenhauer AS, Cossmann A, Dopfer-Jablonka A, Behrens GM, Jäck HM, Pöhlmann S, Hoffmann M (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

Cell Host & Microbe Elsevier (Cell Press)

Book Volume: 30

Pages Range: 1103-1111.e6

Journal Issue: 8

DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2022.04.017

Abstract

The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 evades antibody-mediated neutralization with unprecedented efficiency. At least three Omicron sublineages have been identified—BA.1, BA.2, and BA.3—and BA.2 exhibits increased transmissibility. However, it is currently unknown whether BA.2 differs from the other sublineages regarding cell entry and antibody-mediated inhibition. Here, we show that BA.1, BA.2, and BA.3 enter and fuse target cells with similar efficiency and in an ACE2-dependent manner. However, BA.2 was not efficiently neutralized by seven of eight antibodies used for COVID-19 therapy, including Sotrovimab, which robustly neutralized BA.1. In contrast, BA.2 and BA.3 (but not BA.1) were appreciably neutralized by Cilgavimab, which could constitute a treatment option. Finally, all sublineages were comparably and efficiently neutralized by antibodies induced by BNT162b2 booster vaccination after previous two-dose homologous or heterologous vaccination. Collectively, the Omicron sublineages show comparable cell entry and neutralization by vaccine-induced antibodies but differ in susceptibility to therapeutic antibodies.

Authors with CRIS profile

Sebastian Schulz Professur für Immunologie Hans-Martin Jäck Professur für Immunologie

Involved external institutions

Deutsches Primatenzentrum (DPZ), Leibniz-Institut für Primatenforschung DE Germany (DE) Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH) / Hannover Medical School DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Arora, P., Zhang, L., Krüger, N., Rocha, C., Sidarovich, A., Schulz, S.,... Hoffmann, M. (2022). SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages show comparable cell entry but differential neutralization by therapeutic antibodies. Cell Host & Microbe, 30(8), 1103-1111.e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2022.04.017

MLA:

Arora, Prerna, et al. "SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages show comparable cell entry but differential neutralization by therapeutic antibodies." Cell Host & Microbe 30.8 (2022): 1103-1111.e6.

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