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Cited by 461SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Researchvaccines and immunoinformatics approachesAnimal Virus Infections Studies

Reduced neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant by convalescent and vaccine sera

Open access
Supasa, Piyada, Zhou, Daming, Dejnirattisai, Wanwisa, Liu, Chang, Mentzer, Alexander J., Ginn, Helen M., Zhao, Yuguang, Duyvesteyn, Helen M.E. +45 more·2021·Cell
DOI 10.1016/j.cell.2021.02.033PMC PMC7891044
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Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 has caused over 2 million deaths in little over a year. Vaccines are being deployed at scale, aiming to generate responses against the virus spike. The scale of the pandemic and error-prone virus replication is leading to the appearance of mutant viruses and potentially escape from antibody responses. Variant B.1.1.7, now dominant in the UK, with increased transmission, harbors 9 amino acid changes in the spike, including N501Y in the ACE2 interacting surface. We examine the ability of B.1.1.7 to evade antibody responses elicited by natural SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. We map the impact of N501Y by structure/function analysis of a large panel of well-characterized monoclonal antibodies. B.1.1.7 is harder to neutralize than parental virus, compromising neutralization by some members of a major class of public antibodies through light-chain contacts with residue 501. However, widespread escape from monoclonal antibodies or antibody responses generated by natural infection or vaccination was not observed.

Verified 2026-10-06 · 2 references not checked yet

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant is harder to neutralize than the early Victoria strain by convalescent and vaccine sera, with reduced potency partly attributable to the N501Y spike mutation. However, the paper finds no widespread escape from monoclonal antibodies or from natural infection- or vaccine-induced antibody responses.

Key findings

  • B.1.1.7 required higher serum concentrations for neutralization: convalescent plasma FRNT50 titers were 2.9-fold lower against B.1.1.7 than Victoria (geometric mean, n = 34, p < 0.0001); AstraZeneca AZD1222 vaccine sera showed 2.5-fold (n = 15, p < 0.0001) and 2.1-fold (n = 10, p < 0.002) reductions at 14 and 28 days after the second dose; Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 sera showed a 3.3-fold reduction (n = 25, p < 0.0001).
  • N501Y increased RBD binding affinity for ACE2 approximately 7-fold by biolayer interferometry: WT RBD(501N)-ACE2 KD 75.1 nM versus RBD(501Y)-ACE2 KD 10.7 nM, due to a slower off rate.
  • Some public IGHV3-53 antibodies were affected: mAbs 150, 158, and 175 showed roughly 3-fold reduced affinity, mAb 269 was hypersensitive with a 30-fold affinity effect and almost complete loss of neutralization, and mAb 278 failed to reach 100% neutralization with a maximum of 78%. Regeneron and AstraZeneca antibodies showed only modest or no reduction.
  • Plasma from 13 patients infected with B.1.1.7 showed no significant difference in neutralization titers between B.1.1.7 and Victoria strains.

Methods

  • The study analyzed 377 spike-targeting mAbs from first-wave SARS-CoV-2 cases, focusing on 20 potent neutralizing antibodies (19 anti-RBD, 1 anti-NTD), using BLI binding assays, crystallography of Fab 269 with WT and N501Y RBD, and focus reduction neutralization tests (FRNT) against Victoria and B.1.1.7.
  • Neutralization was tested with 34 convalescent plasma samples, AstraZeneca AZD1222 vaccine sera at 14 days (n = 15) and 28 days (n = 10) after the second dose, Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine sera (n = 25) 7–17 days after the second dose, and plasma from 13 B.1.1.7-infected patients.
  • COG-UK sequence analysis examined 180,000 sequences; statistical comparisons used the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test with two-tailed p values and geometric means.

Limitations

  • Stated: correlates of protection from SARS-CoV-2 are not established; in vitro neutralization assays do not capture contributions from T cells, Fcγ receptor interactions, or complement activation; convalescent plasma and vaccine serum were taken relatively soon after infection or vaccination, so titers may drop over time.
  • Stated: further work is needed to understand antibody responses to B.1.1.7, including adaptation to N501Y and NTD deletions, and to test neutralization of other variants such as B.1.351 and P.1.
  • Evident from the text: some groups were small (e.g., n = 10, n = 13, n = 15, n = 25), and the study reports in vitro neutralization only, without in vivo protection or durability data.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.cell.2021.02.033

Cites

56 of 58 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 10 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    BLI comparing binding of potently neutralizing mAbs to 501Y and 501N RBDs showed little effect on many potent antibodies, for instance IGVH1-58 antibodies 55, 165, 253, and 318.

    “As expected, there is little effect on many potent antibodies, for instance, the IGVH1-58 antibodies: 55, 165, 253, and 318.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The common IGLV1-9 antibodies mAbs 150 and 158 show a consistent reduction in affinity of roughly 3-fold.

    “the common IGLV1-9 antibodies (mAbs 150 and 158) show a consistent reduction in affinity of roughly 3-fold (Figure 3A).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    mAb 222, which pairs IGHV3-53 with IGLV3-20, shows no reduction in binding to 501Y RBD.

    “In contrast, mAb 222, which pairs IGHV3-53 with IGLV3-20, shows no reduction.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Potent mAbs mapped to positions overlapping or closely adjacent to the ACE2 binding surface at the apex of the RBD and tended to have few somatic mutations (on average 5.33 heavy-chain and 4.33 light-chain amino acids).

    “Potent mAbs mapped to positions either overlapping or closely adjacent to the ACE2 binding surface at the apex of the RBD (Figures 1B and 1C) and tended to have rather few somatic mutations (on average 5.33 and 4.33 amino acids in the heavy and light chains [HC, LC], respectively).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    For the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine, the reduction in neutralization titers between B.1.1.7 and Victoria was 3.3-fold (n = 25, p < 0.0001).

    “For the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine BNT162b2, the reduction was 3.3-fold (geometric mean, n = 25 p < 0.0001) (Figure 5C).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 24
  • May combine two claims. 24

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Electron density for the side chain of Y501 is weak.

    “Electron density for the side chain of Y501 is weak.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For the Regeneron antibodies, neutralization of REGN10987 was unaffected by B.1.1.7, while REGN10933 showed a slight reduction but retained potent activity.

    “For the Regeneron antibodies, the neutralization of REGN10987 was unaffected by B.1.1.7, while REGN10933 showed a slight reduction but still retained potent activity (Figure 4B; Table S2).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The structures of N501Y RBD/269 Fab and RBD/269 Fab complexes were determined with Rwork/Rfree = 0.197/0.222 and 0.185/0.200, respectively.

    “resulted in the current structures with Rwork/ Rfree = 0.197/ 0.222 and Rwork/ Rfree = 0.185/0.200 for all data to 2.19 Å and 1.77 Å resolution for N501Y RBD/269 Fab and RBD/269 Fab complexes, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For other antibodies, there was a fall in neutralization titers for B.1.1.7, particularly mAb 269, where neutralization was almost completely lost, and mAb 278, which failed to reach 100% neutralization with a maximum of only 78%.

    “However, for others there was a fall in the neutralization titers for B.1.1.7, particularly pronounced for mAb 269, where neutralization was almost completely lost and mAb 278, which failed to reach 100% neutralization showing a maximum of only 78%.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The N501Y mutation causes a marked 7-fold increase in RBD binding affinity for ACE2 due to a slower off rate, with WT RBD(501N)-ACE2 KD 75.1 nM and RBD(501Y)-ACE2 KD 10.7 nM.

    “The results indicate a marked (7-fold) increase in binding affinity due to a slower off rate: WT RBD(501N)-ACE2: KD 75.1 nM (Kon 3.88E4 /Ms, Koff 2.92E-3 /s), RBD(501Y)-ACE2: KD 10.7 nM (Kon 6.38E4 /Ms, Koff 6.85E-4/s).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    When the structure was refined with an asparagine at position 501, there was strong, dispersed positive density around the side chain, consistent with the presence of a flexible tyrosine residue.

    “However, when the structure was refined with an asparagine at 501, there was strong, dispersed positive density around the side chain, consistent with the presence of a flexible tyrosine residue (Figure S2).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The major B.1.1.7 strain has the Δ69-70 deletion, whereas the two minor groups lack this deletion and have either wild-type or the S982A mutation.

    “The major strain was the Δ69-70 B.1.1.7 strain, whereas the two minor groups lack this deletion and either had wild-type or the S982A mutation (Figure S1B).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Public antibody responses including IGHV3-53 (5 potent mAbs), IGHV1-58 (4 potent mAbs), and IGHV3-66 (2 potent mAbs) were present in the RBD-specific mAb collection.

    “A number of public antibody responses including IGHV3-53 (5 potent mAbs), IGHV1-58 (4 potent mAbs), and IGHV3-66 (2 potent mAbs) were present in the collection of RBD-specific mAbs”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The 501Y mutation in the Fab 269 complex introduces a small displacement of the L1 loop and a concomitant effect on the L3 loop, with a significant switch in Y94 position that abrogates contacts with R403 and E406 of the RBD.

    “The mutation introduces a rather small displacement of the L1 loop (Figure 3D), but there is a concomitant effect of the neighboring L3 loop (Figure 3E), with a significant switch in the position of Y94, abrogating contacts with residues R403 and E406 of the RBD.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    During the week of December 24, 2020, the N501Y variant represented 53% of sequenced isolates in Great Britain.

    “During the week of December 24, 2020, the N501Y variant represented 53% of the sequenced isolates in Great Britain.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    B.1.1.7, 501Y.V2, and P.1 all contain mutations in the ACE2 receptor binding footprint of the RBD, with N501Y common to all.

    “All of these contain mutations in the ACE2 receptor binding footprint of the receptor binding domain (RBD), one in B.1.1.7, three in 501Y.V2, and three in P.1, with the N501Y mutation being common to all.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The B.1.1.7 variant is estimated to be 30%-60% more infectious than strains encountered in the first wave.

    “The B.1.1.7 variant is estimated to be 30%–60% more infectious than strains encountered in the first wave (Walker et al., 2021)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Walker et al., 2021

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Both Victoria passage 5 and B.1.1.7 stocks passage 2 were sequence verified to contain the expected spike protein sequence and no changes to the furin cleavage sites.

    “Both Victoria passage 5 and B.1.1.7 stocks passage 2, were sequence verified to contain the expected spike protein sequence and no changes to the furin cleavage sites.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The study was conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki (2008) and the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines.

    “The study was conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki (2008) and the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Neutralization assays on convalescent and vaccine serum showed that B.1.1.7 required higher serum concentrations to achieve neutralization, although there was no evidence that B.1.1.7 could evade neutralization by serum raised to early SARS-CoV-2 strains or vaccines.

    “In conclusion, the neutralization assays on convalescent and vaccine serum revealed that the B.1.1.7 virus required higher concentrations of serum to achieve neutralization, although there was no evidence that the B.1.1.7 virus could evade neutralization by serum raised to early SARS-CoV-2 strains or vaccines.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Antibodies that neutralize by ACE2 competition, even if not directly affected by the mutation, must compete with ACE2 for RBD binding, and mutations that increase ACE2 affinity will tip the equilibrium away from mAb/RBD interaction toward RBD/ACE2, making the virus more difficult to neutralize.

    “However, antibodies that neutralize by ACE2 competition, even if not directly affected by the mutation, will have to compete with ACE2 for binding to the RBD, and mutations of RBD that increase the affinity of ACE2 will tip the equilibrium away from mAb/RBD interaction toward RBD/ACE2 making the virus more difficult to neutralize.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Reduced binding and neutralization were particularly marked for some, but not all, members of the public IGHV3-53 class of mAb, because the IGHV3-53-defined CDR1 and CDR2 orient the light chain close to Y501.

    “The reduced binding and neutralization were particularly marked for some, but not all, members of the public IGHV3-53 class of mAb, since the IGHV3-53-defined CDR1 and CDR2 cause the antibody to orient the light chain in close proximity to Y501.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    A mutation at 484 of the spike likely has a similar dual effect, and further affinity increase in ACE2 binding is possible.

    “A mutation at 484 of the spike likely has a similar dual effect, and Zahradník et al. (2021) report that further affinity increase in ACE2 binding is possible.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Zahradník et al., 2021

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    The RBD N501Y construct encodes exactly the same protein as native RBD except for the N501Y mutation, as confirmed by sequencing.

    “This construct encodes exactly the same protein as native RBD except the N501Y mutation, as confirmed by sequencing.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Although neutralization titers against B.1.1.7 are reduced, they remain robust, and there is no evidence of vaccine escape, which bodes well for protection against B.1.1.7 by currently deployed vaccines.

    “However, although neutralization titers against B.1.1.7 are reduced, they remain robust, and there is no evidence of vaccine escape, which bodes well for protection against B.1.1.7 by the vaccines currently being deployed at massive scale against SARS-CoV-2.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    There was a correlation between ACE2 blocking and neutralization titers.

    “As expected, there was a correlation between ACE2 blocking and neutralization titers”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Dejnirattisai et al., 2021 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    An independent DSMB reviewed all interim safety reports for the AstraZeneca-Oxford trial.

    “An independent DSMB reviewed all interim safety reports.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    The N501Y mutation has the potential to increase RBD/ACE2 affinity while also disrupting the binding of potent neutralizing antibodies.

    “Mutation N501Y perhaps gives the greatest concern as it has the potential to increase RBD/ACE2 affinity while also disrupting the binding of potent neutralizing antibodies (Figure 1A).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Natural exposure and vaccination may confer protective immunity against symptomatic and severe COVID-19 via memory T cell responses.

    “In addition, natural exposure and vaccination may confer protective immunity against symptomatic and severe COVID-19 via memory T cell responses (Sariol and Perlman, 2020; Altmann and Boyton, 2020).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Sariol and Perlman, 2020

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Altmann and Boyton, 2020

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Partial or non-neutralizing antibodies may confer protection.

    “indeed partial or non-neutralizing antibodies may confer protection (Henry Dunand et al., 2016).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Henry Dunand et al., 2016 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Written informed consent was obtained for all patients enrolled in the study.

    “Written informed consent was obtained for all patients enrolled in the study.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The N501Y affinity increase alone might account for the selection of the N501Y mutation and an increase in transmission.

    “This alone might account for the selection of the N501Y mutation and an increase in transmission.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: A further increase in ACE2 affinity will increase the likelihood that stochastic virus attachment events lead to localization for sufficient time to trigger internalization.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The AstraZeneca-Oxford trial was sponsored by the University of Oxford and approved by a national ethics committee (South Central Berkshire Research Ethics Committee, reference 20/SC/0145 and 20/SC/0179) and a regulatory agency in the United Kingdom (the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency).

    “The studies were sponsored by the University of Oxford (Oxford, UK) and approval obtained from a national ethics committee (South Central Berkshire Research Ethics Committee, reference 20/SC/0145 and 20/SC/0179) and a regulatory agency in the United Kingdom (the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The AstraZeneca-Oxford ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 studies were registered at ISRCTN (15281137 and 89951424) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04324606 and NCT04400838).

    “These studies were registered at ISRCTN (15281137 and 89951424) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04324606 and NCT04400838).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Neutralizing responses against the Victoria virus are less effective against B.1.1.7, and part of this effect is due to N501Y, as demonstrated by weaker binding of a number of antibodies to RBD where N501Y is the only difference.

    “We have shown here that neutralizing responses against the Victoria virus are less effective against B.1.1.7 and that part of this effect is due to the N501Y mutation as demonstrated by the weaker binding of a number of antibodies to the RBD, where N501Y is the only difference.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Convalescent plasma and vaccine serum were taken relatively soon after acute illness or following vaccination, and it is possible that titers will drop over time to a point where they are no longer high enough to provide protection.

    “Convalescent plasma and vaccine serum were taken relatively soon after acute illness or following vaccination; it is possible that titers will drop over time to a point where they are no longer high enough to provide protection.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Mutations in the ACE2 receptor binding domain are believed to increase affinity for ACE2.

    “It is believed that these mutations in the ACE2 receptor binding domain increase the affinity for ACE2 (Zahradník et al., 2021).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Zahradník et al., 2021

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Error bars are derived from curve fitting and may underestimate experimental error.

    “Error bars are derived from curve fitting and may underestimate experimental error.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The study was approved by the Oxford Translational Gastrointestinal Unit GI Biobank Study 16/YH/0247 (REC at Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield).

    “The study was approved by the Oxford Translational Gastrointestinal Unit GI Biobank Study 16/YH/0247 [research ethics committee (REC) at Yorkshire & The Humber – Sheffield].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The correlates of protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection are yet to be established.

    “The correlates of protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection are yet to be established.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Written informed consent was obtained from all participants in the AstraZeneca-Oxford trial, and the trial was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice.

    “Written informed consent was obtained from all participants, and the trial is being done in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The in vitro neutralization assays reported here do not convey the contributions to in vivo protection provided by T cells nor the contributions of Fcγ receptor interactions and complement activation.

    “The in vitro neutralization assays reported here do not convey the contributions to in vivo protection provided by T cells nor the contributions of Fcγ receptor interactions and complement activation.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    B.1.1.7 showed only a 5.7-fold reduction in FRNT50 for mAb 159 (Victoria 11 ng/mL, B.1.1.7 61 ng/mL), suggesting that despite the residue 144 deletion being on the edge of the antibody footprint, the binding site has not been completely disrupted.

    “In this study, B.1.1.7 showed only a 5.7-fold reduction in the FRNT50 for mAb 159 (FRNT50 Victoria 11 ng/mL B.1.1.7 61 ng/mL) suggesting that despite the residue 144 deletion being on the edge of the footprint for this antibody (Dejnirattisai et al., 2021) the binding site has not been completely disrupted.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Dejnirattisai et al., 2021 source

      Not checked in the free run.

38 of 38

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    A further increase in ACE2 affinity will increase the likelihood that stochastic virus attachment events lead to localization for sufficient time to trigger internalization.

    “It is reasonable to assume that a further increase in affinity will increase the likelihood of the stochastic events of virus attachment resulting in localization for sufficient time to trigger, perhaps by the recruitment of additional receptors, internalization of the virus.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The higher affinity of SARS-CoV-2 for ACE2 underlies its greater transmission.

    “the higher affinity for ACE2 of SARS-CoV-2 has been imputed to underlie its greater transmission.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The Pfizer vaccinees had no prior SARS-CoV-2 infection at entry.

    “participants were to the best of their knowledge seronegative at entry”
    “Vaccinees were Health Care Workers, based at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, not known to have prior infection with SARS-C0V-2.”
3 of 3

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Conflicting cryoprotectant descriptions for the unmutated RBD/269 crystals

    Minor

    N501 RBD denotes the unmutated RBD. The methods say its crystals were dipped in a glycerol-containing solution, then say no cryoprotectant was used for RBD/269 crystals.

  • Sequence-download date precedes the analyzed isolates

    Minor

    The methods say the sequences were downloaded in January 2020, but the analysis includes isolates from December 2020. The stated download date cannot account for those isolates.

2 of 2

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

2 of the 60 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Nelson, 2021, bioRxiv
  2. Zhu, 2021, Cryo-EM Structure of the N501Y SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein in Complex with a Potent Neutralizing Antibody, bioRxiv

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Authors
Supasa, P., Zhou, D., Dejnirattisai, W., Liu, C., Mentzer, A. J., Ginn, H. M., Zhao, Y., Duyvesteyn, H. M. E., Nutalai, R., Tuekprakhon, A., Wang, B., Paesen, G. C., Slon-Campos, J., López-Camacho, C., Hallis, B., Coombes, N., Bewley, K. R., Charlton, S., Walter, T. S., Barnes, E., Dunachie, S. J., Skelly, D., Lumley, S. F., Baker, N., Shaik, I., Humphries, H. E., Godwin, K., Gent, N., Sienkiewicz, A., Dold, C., Levin, R., Dong, T., Pollard, A. J., Knight, J. C., Klenerman, P., Crook, D., Lambe, T., Clutterbuck, E., Bibi, S., Flaxman, A., Bittaye, M., Belij-Rammerstorfer, S., Gilbert, S., Hall, D. R., Williams, M. A., Paterson, N. G., James, W., Carroll, M. W., Fry, E. E., Mongkolsapaya, J., Ren, J., Stuart, D. I., & Screaton, G. R.
Affiliations
  • Centre for Human Genetics (GB)
  • Diamond Light Source (GB)
  • Public Health England (GB)
  • University of Oxford (GB)
  • Worthing Hospital (GB)
  • Siriraj Hospital (TH)
Corresponding author
  • Mongkolsapaya, Juthathip
  • Ren, Jingshan
  • Stuart, David I.
  • Screaton, Gavin R.
ORCID
Venue
Cell
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-04
Volume
184
Issue
8
Pages
2201-2211.e7
ISSN
0092-8674 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.cell.2021.02.033
PMC
PMC7891044
OpenAlex
W3129558828
Cited by
460
References
60
Citations by year
2025: 15 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 60 · 2022: 171 · 2021: 188 · 2020: 1
FWCI
35.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Cell (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Greater South Information System
Funders
  • UK Research and Innovation
  • MRC (MR/N00065X/1)
  • China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (2018-I2M-2-002)
  • National Institute for Health Research (203141/Z/16/Z, 095541/A/11/Z, 090532/Z/09/Z)
  • Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations
  • Department of Health and Social Care
  • NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre
  • National Institutes of Health (U19 I082360, WT204969/Z/16/Z)
  • Wellcome Trust (101122/Z/13/Z)
  • Cancer Research UK (C375/A17721)
  • Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
  • Public Health England
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Animal Virus Infections Studies
Keywords
SARS-CoV-2, B.1.1.7 variant, N501Y mutation, spike protein, antibody neutralization, antibody escape, monoclonal antibodies, convalescent sera, ACE2 binding
MeSH terms
COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Animals, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Antibodies, Viral, Chlorocebus aethiops, Cricetulus, Humans, Protein Binding, Structure-Activity Relationship, Vero Cells, CHO Cells, Antibodies, Neutralizing, HEK293 Cells, Pandemics, Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-06.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-06.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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