ARS-COV-2 Variants: Differences and Potential of Immune Evasio

Author(s)

Hirabara, Sandro M. ^[1] ; Serdan, Tamires D. A. ^[2] ; Gorjao, Renata ^[1] ; Masi, Laureane N. ^[1] ; Pithon-Curi, Tania C. ^[1] ; Covas, Dimas T. ^{[3, 4]} ; Curi, Rui ^{[5, 1]} ; Durigon, Edison L. ^{[6, 7]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Cruzeiro Sul, Interdisciplinary Program Hlth Sci, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] NYU, Dept Mol Pathobiol, New York, NY 10003 - USA

^[3] Butantan Inst, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[5] Butantan Inst, Bioind Ctr, Immunobiol Prod Sect, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[6] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Microbiol, Lab Clin & Mol Virol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[7] Sci Platform Pasteur Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY; v. 11, JAN 18 2022.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

The structural spike (S) glycoprotein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) plays an essential role in infection and is an important target for neutralizing antibody recognition. Mutations in the S gene can generate variants of concern (VOCs), which improve ``viral fitness{''} through selective or survival advantages, such as increased ACE-2 receptor affinity, infectivity, viral replication, higher transmissibility, resistance to neutralizing antibodies and immune escape, increasing disease severity and reinfection risk. Five VOCs have been recognized and include B.1.1.7 (U.K.), B.1.351 (South Africa), P.1 (Brazil), B.1.617.2 (India), and B.1.1.529 (multiple countries). In this review, we addressed the following critical points concerning VOCs: a) characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 VOCs with mutations in the S gene; b) possible evasion of variants from neutralizing antibodies generated through vaccination, previous infection, or immune therapies; c) potential risk of new pandemic waves induced by the variants worldwide; and d) perspectives for further studies and actions aimed at preventing or reducing the impact of new variants during the current COVID-19 pandemic. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/09868-7 - Cellular and molecular mechanisms of insulin resistance and inflammation in obese Wistar rats and lean Goto-Kakizaki rats: causes and associations with diet and physical exercise
• Grantee: Rui Curi
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants