Preprint

SARS-CoV-2 501Y.V2 escapes neutralization by South African COVID-19 donor plasma

Wibmer, Constantinos Kurt, Ayres, Frances, Hermanus, Tandile, Madzivhandila, Mashudu, Kgagudi, Prudence, Oosthuysen, Brent, Lambson, Bronwen E., de Oliveira, Tulio +11 more·2021

Preprint — published as 10.1038/s41591-021-01285-x · Paper page

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 501Y.V2 (B.1.351), a novel lineage of coronavirus causing COVID-19, contains substitutions in two immunodominant domains of the spike protein. Here, we show that pseudovirus expressing 501Y.V2 spike protein completely escapes three classes of therapeutically relevant antibodies. This pseudovirus also exhibits substantial to complete escape from neutralization, but not binding, by convalescent plasma. These data highlight the prospect of reinfection with antigenically distinct variants and foreshadows reduced efficacy of spike-based vaccines.

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Crossref · 10.1101/2021.01.18.427166

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  • Other groups have reported comparable findings with vaccinee and convalescent plasma across various pseudotype and authentic virus assays.

    “In addition, similar results have been reported by others using vaccinee and convalescent plasmas and a variety of different pseudotype and authentic virus assays15,31,45–49.”
  • Further mutations in spike protein observed in other novel lineages appear to be driven by escape of the virus from the neutralising activity of public antibodies, indicating that prevention of transmission might be temporary as the virus adapts to natural or vaccine-induced immunity.

    “However, it should be noted that further mutations in spike protein observed in other novel lineages7, 8 appear to be driven by escape of the virus from the neutralising activity of public antibodies,40, 41 indicating that prevention of transmission might be temporary as the virus adapts to natural or vaccine-induced immunity.”
  • The E484K mutation has been reported to abolish or substantially reduce neutralization by multiple potent monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal convalescent sera in both wild-type and pseudo-virus neutralization assays.

    “The E484K mutation has been reported to abolish or substantially reduce neutralization by multiple potent monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal convalescent sera in both wild-type and pseudo-virus neutralization assays.12,13,17,18,22”

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Authors
Wibmer, C. K., Ayres, F., Hermanus, T., Madzivhandila, M., Kgagudi, P., Oosthuysen, B., Lambson, B. E., de Oliveira, T., Vermeulen, M., van der Berg, K., Rossouw, T., Boswell, M., Ueckermann, V., Meiring, S., von Gottberg, A., Cohen, C., Morris, L., Bhiman, J. N., & Moore, P. L.
Publisher
openRxiv
Published
2021-01-19
Type
Preprint

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