4.7 Article

Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern Harboring Q677H

Journal

MBIO
Volume 12, Issue 5, Pages -

Publisher

AMER SOC MICROBIOLOGY
DOI: 10.1128/mBio.02510-21

Keywords

International license; Q677H; SARS-CoV-2; spike; neutralization; variant of concern

Categories

Funding

  1. NIH [U54CA260582, R01 AI150473, R01 HL127442-01A1, R01 HD095881]
  2. Cardiovascular Medicine JB Biorepository
  3. Robert J. Anthony Fund for Cardiovascular Research

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This study investigates the neutralization sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 variants containing the Q677H mutation and highlights the increased viral infectivity and neutralizing antibody resistance conferred by the mutation. The research emphasizes the importance of epistatic interactions between SARS-CoV-2 spike mutations and the continued need to monitor VOCs carrying the Q677H mutation.
The sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) to neutralizing antibodies has largely been studied in the context of key receptor binding domain (RBD) mutations, including E484K and N501Y. Little is known about the epistatic effects of combined SARS-CoV-2 spike mutations. We now investigate the neutralization sensitivity of variants containing the non-RBD mutation Q677H, including B.1.525 (Nigerian isolate) and Bluebird (U.S. isolate) variants. The effect on neutralization of Q677H was determined in the context of the RBD mutations and in the background of major VOCs, including B.1.1.7 (United Kingdom, Alpha), B.1.351 (South Africa, Beta), and P1-501Y-V3 (Brazil, Gamma). We demonstrate that the Q677H mutation increases viral infectivity and syncytium formation, as well as enhancing resistance to neutralization for VOCs, including B.1.1.7 and P1-501Y-V3. Our work highlights the importance of epistatic interactions between SARS-CoV-2 spike mutations and the continued need to monitor Q677H-bearing VOCs. IMPORTANCE SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, is rapidly evolving to be more transmissible and to evade acquired immunity. To date, most investigations of SARS-CoV-2 variants have focused on RBD mutations. However, the impact of non-RBD mutations and their synergy with studied RBD mutations are poorly understood. Here, we examine the role of the non-RBD Q677H mutation arising in many SARS-CoV-2 lineages, including VOCs. We demonstrate that the Q677H mutation enhances viral infectivity and confers neutralizing antibody resistance, particularly in the background of other SARS-CoV-2 VOCs.

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