Yunlong Richard Cao@yunlong_cao
Sep 23, 2022
4 tweets
Updating information regarding convergent variants BA.2.3.20, BN.1, BA.2.10.4, BN.2.1, BA.4.6.1, BQ.1, BQ.1.1.
In short, BA.2.75.2 and BQ.1.1 are the most antibody-evasive convergent variants tested, far exceeding BA.5 and approaching SARS-CoV-1 level. (1/4)
Yunlong Richard Cao@yunlong_cao
Sep 16 22
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Sharing our investigation on the unprecedented convergent RBD evolution of BA.2.75 and BA.5 on sites including 346, 356, 444-446, 450, 460, 486, which have generated highly concerning variants such as BA.2.75.2, BR.1, BJ.1, and BQ.1.1. (1/n)
biorxiv.org/content/10.110…
BA.2.75.2 is slightly more evasive than BQ.1.1 against plasma from BA.2/BA.5 breakthrough infections. Its due to the enriched NTD-NAbs elicited by BA.2/BA.5 infections, which BQ.1.1 can't escape. Note that these varaints are approaching SARS-CoV-1 level escaping capability. (2/4)
As expected, BQ.1.1 escapes Evusheld and bebtelovimab, making all clinically available antibody drugs ineffective. BQ.1.1 and BA.2.75.2 both displayed sufficient hACE2 binding capability. (3/4)
We should be able to update information on BU.1, BR.2, BM.1.1.1, CA.1, and XBB within two weeks. I agree with @Cornelius Roemer that XBB will be the most immune-evasive convergent variant for now, since it should be able to escape the majority of both NTD/RBD NAbs. (4/4)
Yunlong Richard Cao
@yunlong_cao
Biochemistry & Immunology | Host Immune Response, Antibody Drug & Vaccine Design | Assistant Professor at BIOPIC, Peking University
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