Neutralization sensitivity, fusogenicity, and infectivity of Omicron subvariants

Background: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants has raised questions regarding resistance to immunity by natural infection or immunization. We examined the sensitivity of Delta and Omicron subvariants (BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1, BA.4/5, and BA.3) to neutralizing antibodies from BBIBP-CorV-vaccinated and BBIBP-CorV- or ZF2001-boosted individuals, as well as individuals with Delta and BA.1 breakthrough infections, and determined their fusogenicity and infectivity. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, serum samples from two doses of BBIBP-CorV-vaccinated individuals 1 (n = 36), 3 (n = 36), and 7 (n = 37) months after the second dose; BBIBP-CorV- (n = 25) or ZF2001-boosted (n = 30) individuals; and fully vaccinated individuals with Delta (n = 30) or BA.1 (n = 26) infection were collected. The serum-neutralizing reactivity and potency of bebtelovimab were assessed against D614G, Delta, and Omicron subvariants (BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1, BA.4/5, and BA.3) through a pseudovirus neutralization assay. The fusogenicity and infectivity of D614G, Delta, and Omicron subvariants were determined by cell-cell fusion assay and pseudovirus infection assay, respectively. Results: Omicron subvariants markedly escaped vaccine-elicited neutralizing antibodies after two doses of BBIBP-CorV with comparable efficiency. A third dose vaccination of BBIBP-CorV or ZF2001 increased neutralizing antibody titers and breadth against Delta and three Omicron subvariants. Delta and BA.1 breakthrough infections induced comparable neutralizing antibody titers against D614G and Delta variants, whereas BA.1 breakthrough infections elicited a stronger and broader antibody response against three Omicron subvariants than Delta breakthrough infections. BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/5 are more resistant to immunity induced by breakthrough infections. Bebtelovimab had no significant loss of potency against the Delta and Omicron subvariants. Cell culture experiments showed Omicron subvariants to be less fusogenic and have higher infectivity than D614G and Delta with comparable efficiency. Conclusions: These findings have important public health implications and highlight the importance of repeated exposure to SARS-CoV-2 antigens to broaden the neutralizing antibody response against Omicron subvariants.

Automated summary

The study shows that Omicron subvariants have significant evasion from neutralizing antibodies induced by BBIBP-CorV vaccine, but a third dose can enhance the neutralizing antibody potency against Delta and Omicron subvariants. Additionally, different subvariants exhibit varying resistance to immunity induced by breakthrough infections.