Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies play a critical role in COVID-19 prevention and treatment but are challenged by viral evolution and the emergence of novel escape variants. Importantly, the recently identified Omicron sublineages BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/5 are rapidly becoming predominant in various countries. By determining polyclonal serum activity of 50 convalescent or vaccinated individuals against BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1, and BA.4/5, we reveal a further reduction in BA.4/5 susceptibility to vaccinee sera. Most notably, delineation of sensitivity to an extended 163-antibody panel demonstrates pronounced antigenic differences with distinct escape patterns among Omicron sublineages. Antigenic distance and/or higher resistance may therefore favor immune-escape-mediated BA.4/5 expansion after the first Omicron wave. Finally, while most clinical-stage monoclonal antibodies are inactive against Omicron sublineages, we identify promising antibodies with high pan-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing potency. Our study provides a detailed understanding of Omicron-sublineage antibody escape that can inform on effective strategies against COVID-19.
Keywords: BA.2.12.1; BA.4; BA.5; COVID-19; Omicron; SARS-CoV-2; immune escape; neutralizing antibodies; resistance; sublineages.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Neutralizing antibodies, omicron, Immune escape, resistance, BA.4, BA.5, BA.2.12.1, sublineages., 【초록키워드】 Treatment, neutralizing antibody, antibody, susceptibility, monoclonal antibody, variants, immune, serum, sensitivity, viral evolution, sera, Neutralizing, convalescent, Critical, antigenic, favor, vaccinated individual, MOST, polyclonal, vaccinee, identify, provide, predominant, reduction in, inactive, effective strategy, 【제목키워드】 antibody,