Thread by @ejustin46

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗦-𝗖𝗼𝗩-2 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗝𝗡.1 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀

biorxiv.org/content/10.110…

2) The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant JN.1 has evolved into several sublineages containing recurrent spike protein mutations R346T, F456L, and T572I. Some sublineages like KP.2 containing combinations of these mutations have shown growth advantages.

3) This study characterized these mutations individually and in combination using pseudoviruses with the mutated spikes.
Serum neutralization assays found F456L significantly reduced antibody neutralization, while R346T and T572I had little effect.

4) Combinations including F456L were most resistant to antibodies.
F456L impaired neutralization of monoclonal antibodies targeting the RBD class 1 region. T572I modestly reduced SD1-directed antibody neutralization.

5) R346T increased binding affinity to the ACE2 receptor by 1.5-fold and modestly enhanced pseudovirus infectivity. F456L and T572I did not affect receptor binding.
KP.2, which contains R346T, F456L and V1104L, showed similar resistance as JN.1 with R346T and F456L ...

6) ...suggesting V1104L does not impact antibody evasion.

The study characterized how these recurrent mutations confer advantages like antibody evasion and receptor binding that help explain the expansion of lineages containing them, informing vaccine booster design.

Thanks🙏