Potential immune evasion of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron variants
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused a global pandemic. The Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) was first discovered in November 2021 in specimens collected from Botswana, South Africa. Omicron has become t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Immunology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1339660/full |
| _version_ | 1827344866766487552 |
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| author | Luyi Chen Ying He Hongye Liu Yongjun Shang Guoning Guo |
| author_facet | Luyi Chen Ying He Hongye Liu Yongjun Shang Guoning Guo |
| author_sort | Luyi Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused a global pandemic. The Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) was first discovered in November 2021 in specimens collected from Botswana, South Africa. Omicron has become the dominant variant worldwide, and several sublineages or subvariants have been identified recently. Compared to those of other mutants, the Omicron variant has the most highly expressed amino acid mutations, with almost 60 mutations throughout the genome, most of which are in the spike (S) protein, especially in the receptor-binding domain (RBD). These mutations increase the binding affinity of Omicron variants for the ACE2 receptor, and Omicron variants may also lead to immune escape. Despite causing milder symptoms, epidemiological evidence suggests that Omicron variants have exceptionally higher transmissibility, higher rates of reinfection and greater spread than the prototype strain as well as other preceding variants. Additionally, overwhelming amounts of data suggest that the levels of specific neutralization antibodies against Omicron variants decrease in most vaccinated populations, although CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses are maintained. Therefore, the mechanisms underlying Omicron variant evasion are still unclear. In this review, we surveyed the current epidemic status and potential immune escape mechanisms of Omicron variants. Especially, we focused on the potential roles of viral epitope mutations, antigenic drift, hybrid immunity, and “original antigenic sin” in mediating immune evasion. These insights might supply more valuable concise information for us to understand the spreading of Omicron variants. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:55:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ecbb18f610e44d7f8c77394e804cddd6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-3224 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:55:47Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Immunology |
| spelling | doaj.art-ecbb18f610e44d7f8c77394e804cddd62024-02-23T04:37:23ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242024-02-011510.3389/fimmu.2024.13396601339660Potential immune evasion of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron variantsLuyi Chen0Ying He1Hongye Liu2Yongjun Shang3Guoning Guo4Chongqing Nankai Secondary School, Chongqing, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Kweichow MouTai Hospital, Renhuai, Zunyi, Guizhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Kweichow MouTai Hospital, Renhuai, Zunyi, Guizhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Kweichow MouTai Hospital, Renhuai, Zunyi, Guizhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedics, Kweichow MouTai Hospital, Renhuai, Zunyi, Guizhou, ChinaCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused a global pandemic. The Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) was first discovered in November 2021 in specimens collected from Botswana, South Africa. Omicron has become the dominant variant worldwide, and several sublineages or subvariants have been identified recently. Compared to those of other mutants, the Omicron variant has the most highly expressed amino acid mutations, with almost 60 mutations throughout the genome, most of which are in the spike (S) protein, especially in the receptor-binding domain (RBD). These mutations increase the binding affinity of Omicron variants for the ACE2 receptor, and Omicron variants may also lead to immune escape. Despite causing milder symptoms, epidemiological evidence suggests that Omicron variants have exceptionally higher transmissibility, higher rates of reinfection and greater spread than the prototype strain as well as other preceding variants. Additionally, overwhelming amounts of data suggest that the levels of specific neutralization antibodies against Omicron variants decrease in most vaccinated populations, although CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses are maintained. Therefore, the mechanisms underlying Omicron variant evasion are still unclear. In this review, we surveyed the current epidemic status and potential immune escape mechanisms of Omicron variants. Especially, we focused on the potential roles of viral epitope mutations, antigenic drift, hybrid immunity, and “original antigenic sin” in mediating immune evasion. These insights might supply more valuable concise information for us to understand the spreading of Omicron variants.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1339660/fullSARS-CoV-2Omicron varianthybrid immunityoriginal antigenic sinimmune evasion |
| spellingShingle | Luyi Chen Ying He Hongye Liu Yongjun Shang Guoning Guo Potential immune evasion of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron variants Frontiers in Immunology SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant hybrid immunity original antigenic sin immune evasion |
| title | Potential immune evasion of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron variants |
| title_full | Potential immune evasion of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron variants |
| title_fullStr | Potential immune evasion of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron variants |
| title_full_unstemmed | Potential immune evasion of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron variants |
| title_short | Potential immune evasion of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron variants |
| title_sort | potential immune evasion of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 omicron variants |
| topic | SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant hybrid immunity original antigenic sin immune evasion |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1339660/full |
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