Naturally occurring spike mutations influence the infectivity and immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2

Mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) have enhanced transmissibility and immune evasion with respect to current vaccines and neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). How naturally occurring spike mutations affect the infectivity and antigenicity of VOCs remains to be investigated. The entry efficiency of individual spike mutations was determined in vitro using pseudotyped viruses. BALB/c mice were immunized with 2-dose DNA vaccines encoding B.1.1.7, B.1.351, B.1.1.529 and their single mutations. Cellular and humoral immune responses were then compared to determine the impact of individual mutations on immunogenicity. In the B.1.1.7 lineage, Del69-70 and Del 144 in NTD, A570D and P681H in SD1 and S982A and D1118H in S2 significantly increased viral entry, whereas T716I resulted in a decrease. In the B.1.351 lineage, L18F and Del 242-244 in the NTD, K417N in the RBD and A701V in S2 also increased viral entry. S982A weakened the generation of binding antibodies. All sera showed reduced cross-neutralization activity against B.1.351, B.1.617.2 (Delta) and B.1.1.529 (Omicron BA.1). S982A, L18F, and Del 242-244 hindered the induction of cross-NAbs, whereas Del 69-70, Del144, R246I, and K417N showed the opposite effects. B.1.351 elicited adequate broad cross-NAbs against both B.1.351 and B.1.617.2. All immunogens tested, however, showed low neutralization against circulating B.1.1.529. In addition, T-cell responses were unlikely affected by mutations tested in the spike. We conclude that individual spike mutations influence viral infectivity and vaccine immunogenicity. Designing VOC-targeted vaccines is likely necessary to overcome immune evasion from current vaccines and neutralizing antibodies.

Automated summary

This study found that spike mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants can enhance viral transmissibility and immune evasion, affecting vaccine immunogenicity. Designing vaccines targeting these variants is crucial to overcome immune evasion from current vaccines and neutralizing antibodies.