Exposure to BA. 4/5 S protein drives neutralization of Omicron BA. 1, BA. 2, BA. 2.12. 1, and BA. 4/5 in vaccine-experienced humans and mice

A Muik, BG Lui, M Bacher, AK Wallisch, A Toker… - Science …, 2022 - science.org
A Muik, BG Lui, M Bacher, AK Wallisch, A Toker, CIC Couto, A Güler, V Mampilli, GJ Schmitt…
Science immunology, 2022science.org
The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and its sublineages show pronounced viral escape from
neutralizing antibodies elicited by vaccination or prior SARS-CoV-2 variant infection owing
to over 30-amino acid alterations within the spike (S) glycoprotein. Breakthrough infection of
vaccinated individuals with Omicron sublineages BA. 1 and BA. 2 is associated with distinct
patterns of cross-neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). In
continuation of our previous work, we characterized the effect of Omicron BA. 4/BA. 5 S …
The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and its sublineages show pronounced viral escape from neutralizing antibodies elicited by vaccination or prior SARS-CoV-2 variant infection owing to over 30-amino acid alterations within the spike (S) glycoprotein. Breakthrough infection of vaccinated individuals with Omicron sublineages BA.1 and BA.2 is associated with distinct patterns of cross-neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). In continuation of our previous work, we characterized the effect of Omicron BA.4/BA.5 S glycoprotein exposure on the neutralizing antibody response upon breakthrough infection in vaccinated individuals and upon variant-adapted booster vaccination in mice. We found that immune sera from triple mRNA-vaccinated individuals with subsequent breakthrough infection during the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 wave showed cross-neutralizing activity against previous Omicron variants BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1, and BA.4/BA.5 itself. Administration of a prototypic BA.4/BA.5-adapted mRNA booster vaccine to mice after SARS-CoV-2 wild-type strain-based primary immunization is associated with broader cross-neutralizing activity than a BA.1-adapted booster. Whereas the Omicron BA.1-adapted mRNA vaccine in a bivalent format (wild-type + BA.1) broadens cross-neutralizing activity relative to the BA.1 monovalent booster, cross-neutralization of BA.2 and descendants is more effective in mice boosted with a bivalent wild-type + BA.4/BA.5 vaccine. In naïve mice, primary immunization with the bivalent wild-type + Omicron BA.4/BA.5 vaccine induces strong cross-neutralizing activity against Omicron VOCs and previous variants. These findings suggest that, when administered as boosters, mono- and bivalent Omicron BA.4/BA.5-adapted vaccines enhance neutralization breadth and that the bivalent version also has the potential to confer protection to individuals with no preexisting immunity against SARS-CoV-2.
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