Journal
VIRUSES-BASEL
Volume 15, Issue 1, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/v15010013
Keywords
SARS-CoV-2; virus adaptation; persistent infection
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SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to evolve and undergo selective pressure. In an ex vivo cell model, the Alpha and Omicron BA.1 variants showed no adaptation in the spike protein, suggesting the role of adaptive immune response or other anatomical sites in the evolution of the virus.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is currently causing an unprecedented pandemic. Although vaccines and antivirals are limiting the spread, SARS-CoV-2 is still under selective pressure in human and animal populations, as demonstrated by the emergence of variants of concern. To better understand the driving forces leading to new subtypes of SARS-CoV-2, we infected an ex vivo cell model of the human upper respiratory tract with Alpha and Omicron BA.1 variants for one month. Although viral RNA was detected during the entire course of the infection, infectious virus production decreased over time. Sequencing analysis did not show any adaptation in the spike protein, suggesting a key role for the adaptive immune response or adaptation to other anatomical sites for the evolution of SARS-CoV-2.
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