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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.02.02.429431

Potential global impact of the N501Y mutation on MHC-II presentation and immune escape

Castro, A.·Carter, H.·Zanetti, M.
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Abstract

The B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 variant, characterized by the N501Y mutation, is rapidly emerging, raising concerns about its effectiveness on natural as well as vaccine-induced adaptive viral immunity at the population level. Since CD4 T cell responses are of critical importance to the antibody response, we examined the global effects of N501Y mutation on MHC-II presentation compared to the N501 wildtype and found poorer presentation across the majority of MHC-II alleles. This suggests that the N501Y mutation may not only diminish binding of antibodies to the RBD but also interfere with their production by weakening the cooperation between T and B cells, facilitating immune escape.

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Castro, A., Carter, H., Zanetti, M.. 2021-02-03. Potential global impact of the N501Y mutation on MHC-II presentation and immune escape. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.02.02.429431

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