SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Spike recognition by plasma from individuals receiving BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination with a 16-week interval between doses

Abstract

Continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) is fueling the COVID-19 pandemic. Omicron (B.1.1.529) rapidly spread worldwide. The large number of mutations in its Spike raise concerns about a major antigenic drift that could significantly decrease vaccine efficacy and infection-induced immunity. A long interval between BNT162b2 mRNA doses elicit antibodies that efficiently recognize Spikes from different VOCs. Here we evaluate the recognition of Omicron Spike by plasma from a cohort of SARS-CoV-2 naïve and previously infected individuals that received their BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine 16-weeks apart. Omicron Spike is recognized less efficiently than D614G, Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta Spikes. We compare to plasma activity from participants receiving a short (4-weeks) interval regimen. Plasma from individuals of the long interval cohort recognize and neutralize better the Omicron Spike compared to those that received a short interval. Whether this difference confers any clinical benefit against Omicron remains unknown.

Evolution of Anti-RBD IgG Avidity following SARS-CoV-2 Infection

“…Since vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have become available, countries have adopted different vaccine strategies, including type of vaccine, dose interval, dose administration, and consideration of the individual’s pre-vaccination status (SARS-CoV-2 naïve or previously infected). Our data suggest that an extended interval (16 weeks) between the first and second dose of the vaccine would allow time for superior affinity maturation (and improved germinal center formation) before the second contact with the antigen (second dose of vaccine), as recently suggested [ 12 , 35 ]. It would be interesting to observe how the avidity of plasma Abs measured after the second dose of the vaccine evolves compared to the short 3- or 4-week interval.…”

Highly divergent white-tailed deer SARS-CoV-2 with potential deer-to-human transmission

“…Expression constructs of S mutants corresponding to samples 4581/4645 (S:H49Y, S:T95I, S:Δ143-145InsD, S:F486L, S:N501T, S:D614G), 4658 (S:T22I, S:H49Y, S:T95I, S:Δ143-145InsD, S:S247G, S:F486L, S:N501T, S:D614G) and ON-PHL-21-44225 (S:H49Y, S:T95I, S:Δ143-145InsD, S:F486L, S:N501T, S:Q613H, S:D614G) were generated by overlapping PCR as described previously 86 . S:D614G and S Omicron (BA.1) constructs were described elsewhere 87 . All constructs were cloned in pCAGGS and verified by Sanger sequencing.…”

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant: recent progress and future perspectives

“… 77 , 91 , 95 , 115 However, infection plus vaccination can induce high-quality antibodies with superior neutralization capacity. 91 , 94 , 95 , 99 , 103 , 116 , 121 – 123 Given a large number of infected individuals, this group of people may only require a routine vaccination dose to obtain effective protection against Omicron.…”