SARS-CoV-2 variants C.1.2 and B.1.621 (Mu) partially evade neutralization by antibodies elicited upon infection or vaccination
Prerna Arora,
Amy Kempf,
Inga Nehlmeier,
Luise Graichen,
Martin S. Winkler,
Martin Lier,
Sebastian Schulz,
Hans-Martin Jäck,
Anne Cossmann,
Metodi V. Stankov,
Georg M.N. Behrens,
Stefan Pöhlmann,
Markus Hoffmann
Affiliations
Prerna Arora
Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Wilhelmsplatz 1, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
Amy Kempf
Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Wilhelmsplatz 1, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
Inga Nehlmeier
Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
Luise Graichen
Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Wilhelmsplatz 1, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
Martin S. Winkler
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Göttingen Medical Center, Göttingen, Georg-August University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Straße 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
Martin Lier
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Göttingen Medical Center, Göttingen, Georg-August University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Straße 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
Sebastian Schulz
Division of Molecular Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Glückstraße 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
Hans-Martin Jäck
Division of Molecular Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Glückstraße 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
Anne Cossmann
Department for Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
Metodi V. Stankov
Department for Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
Georg M.N. Behrens
Department for Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
Stefan Pöhlmann
Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Wilhelmsplatz 1, 37073 Göttingen, Germany; Corresponding author
Markus Hoffmann
Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Wilhelmsplatz 1, 37073 Göttingen, Germany; Corresponding author
Summary: Rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants C.1.2 and B.1.621 (Mu variant) in Africa and the Americas, respectively, as well as a high number of mutations in the viral spike proteins raised concerns that these variants might pose an elevated threat to human health. Here, we show that C.1.2 and B.1.621 spike proteins mediate increased entry into certain cell lines but do not exhibit increased ACE2 binding. Further, we demonstrate that C.1.2 and B.1.621 are resistant to neutralization by bamlanivimab but remain sensitive to inhibition by antibody cocktails used for COVID-19 therapy. Finally, we show that C.1.2 and B.1.621 partially escape neutralization by antibodies induced upon infection and vaccination, with escape of vaccine-induced antibodies being as potent as that measured for B.1.351 (Beta variant), which is known to be highly neutralization resistant. Collectively, C.1.2 and B.1.621 partially evade control by vaccine-induced antibodies, suggesting that close monitoring of these variants is warranted.
