SARS-CoV-2 501Y.V2 escapes neutralization by South African COVID-19 donor plasma

Wibmer, C. K.; Ayres, F.; Hermanus, T.; Madzivhandila, M.; Kgagudi, P.; Lambson, B. E.; Vermeulen, M.; van den Berg, K.; Rossouw, T.; Boswell, M.; Ueckermann, V.; Meiring, S.; von Gottberg, A.; Cohen, C.; Morris, L.; Bhiman, J. N.; Moore, P. L.

doi:10.1101/2021.01.18.427166

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.01.18.427166

SARS-CoV-2 501Y.V2 escapes neutralization by South African COVID-19 donor plasma

Wibmer, C. K.·Ayres, F.·Hermanus, T.·Madzivhandila, M.·Kgagudi, P.·Lambson, B. E.·Vermeulen, M.·van den Berg, K.·Rossouw, T.·Boswell, M.·Ueckermann, V.·Meiring, S.·von Gottberg, A.·Cohen, C.·Morris, L.·Bhiman, J. N.·Moore, P. L.

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Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 501Y.V2 (B.1.351), a novel lineage of coronavirus causing COVID-19, contains substitutions in two immunodominant domains of the spike protein. Here, we show that pseudovirus expressing 501Y.V2 spike protein completely escapes three classes of therapeutically relevant antibodies. This pseudovirus also exhibits substantial to complete escape from neutralization, but not binding, by convalescent plasma. These data highlight the prospect of reinfection with antigenically distinct variants and foreshadows reduced efficacy of spike-based vaccines.

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Wibmer, C. K., Ayres, F., Hermanus, T., Madzivhandila, M., Kgagudi, P., Lambson, B. E., Vermeulen, M., van den Berg, K., Rossouw, T., Boswell, M., Ueckermann, V., Meiring, S., von Gottberg, A., Cohen, C., Morris, L., Bhiman, J. N., Moore, P. L.. 2021-01-19. SARS-CoV-2 501Y.V2 escapes neutralization by South African COVID-19 donor plasma. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.18.427166

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