Researchers involved in the “escape mutation” found in COVID-19 mutants may help the virus evade antibodies

The “escape mutations” shared by new coronavirus variants that may help evade antibodies raise concerns about the potential for reinfection and the effectiveness of some vaccines. According to infectious disease experts, the virus is naturally evolving and mutating, and serves as a “strong reminder” of the need for continuous adaptation of scientific responses to stay ahead of threats. I will.

The E484K variant, nicknamed “Eeek” by researchers, was first discovered in the South African variant (B.1.351), but is now found in the Brazilian variant (P.1). After being done, I’m even more concerned. The same is true for some cases of the UK variant (B.1.1.7).

Peplomers on the surface of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, are important for the virus to bind and replicate to cells in the body. E484K is contained in the spike protein and Is called “Escape Mutation” By researchers Because the virus seems to help pass through the body’s immune response and make us sick. British Medical Journal (BMJ).

The body makes antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 from either previous infections or vaccinations. Studies suggest that the E484K mutation makes it difficult for certain antibodies to neutralize the virus and prevent it from entering cells.

So far, only 11 cases of UKB 1.1.7 mutants with the E484K mutation have been identified in the United Kingdom. Report Published by the UK Public Health Service.

Implementation evidence Researchers are concerned about the effects of more rapidly spreading viral variants with mutations that appear to be better at avoiding immunity, as UKB 1.1.7 mutants have been shown to be more contagious. I have.

“The E484K mutation can weaken the immune response and affect the lifespan of the neutralizing antibody response. Therefore, a B.1.1.7 mutant with the E484K mutation may be more efficient in reinfection. “There is,” Lawrence Young, a virologist and professor of molecular oncology, told BMJ at Warwick University.

Does the vaccine work against these mutant coronavirus variants?

Current studies on the COVID-19 vaccine have been shown to be effective against the UKB 1.1.7 mutant without the E484K mutation.Last week, a researcher based at Cambridge University Reported preliminary findings Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against B.1.1.7 with E484K mutation. It turns out that the vaccine is likely to be less effective.

“Of particular concern is the emergence of the E484K mutation, which was previously seen in only a relatively small number of individuals. Our study suggests that the vaccine may be less effective when dealing with this mutation. It suggests that it is expensive, “said the professor. Ravi Gupta, MD, PhD, Research..

Officials from both Pfizer and Moderna, two vaccines currently in use in the United States, say they are working on booster shots to combat viral variants.

Preliminary results from a small study show that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has minimal effect on mild to moderate cases of disease caused by a South African variant carrying the E484K mutation. Showed that it wasn’t. The findings urged South Africa to stop using the vaccine.

Other recent clinical trials Novavax And Johnson & Johnson Their vaccine candidates have been shown to be effective in protecting the virus from the most widely circulating strains and preventing serious illness. However, shots were less effective in South Africa than in the United Kingdom and the United States, probably due to the high levels of South African variants carrying the E484K mutation.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s premier infectious disease expert Called Novavax and Johnson & Johnson Results Overall “It’s very encouraging,” he said, saying that the severe illness was still treated fairly well by the vaccine. He also noted that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is easy to store in just one shot. This is two important factors in the competition to vaccinate as many people as possible quickly to prevent further mutations.

Still, Fauci said the result was a “wake-up call to all of us” as the virus continued to mutate.

Overall, infectious disease experts say that a single mutation like the E484K is not expected to completely overturn efforts to stop the pandemic, and it is important to study the combined effects of multiple mutations. Emphasize sex.

Dr. William Hanage, an infectious disease researcher at Harvard University, said, “Mutations may do one thing on their own, but may be enhanced by another mutation. That’s important here. That’s it. “

Hanage said it was reasonable to suggest that some of the viral mutations “may reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine a bit”, but have been shown to be produced by the vaccine. He said the amount of immunity he had was “really impressive.”

“Vaccination is expected to be very helpful and is still the basis of what we should do,” he said.

Competition to detect mutant viruses in the United States

Infectious disease researchers are demanding more genome surveillance in the United States to track new mutations. By doing so, scientists can stay ahead of the threat and carefully monitor mutations that can make the virus more infectious or even more deadly.

The United States is lagging behind in the competition to detect dangerous coronavirus mutations, and scientists are overburdened by the lack of national leadership and coordination, as well as the quest to balance genetic alterations with diagnostic tests. Condemned the lack of funding and supply to the institute.

After the slow start, public health laboratories in at least 33 states are currently conducting genetic analysis to identify new coronavirus variants. Other states have partnerships with universities and private laboratories to do their jobs.

“Recently there has been positive movement and an increase, but we haven’t reached the level needed to catch imports and know things early enough to make a difference,” Hanage said. “We are on the right track, but there is still a way.”

File-Healthcare professionals administer cotton swabs to persons undergoing COVID-19 testing on December 30, 2020 in Parker, Colorado.Michael Sheagro / Getty Images (Michael Sheagro / Getty Images)

COVAX, a global vaccine initiative led by the World Health Organization and the Coalition for Epidemic Infectious Diseases (CEPI), said in a statement that the new variant was “the virus is essentially mutated, and scientific. The response acts as a powerful reminder. ” They may need to adapt in order to remain effective against them. “

COVAX has been added In the statement Countries need to strengthen genomic surveillance and share data quickly “to enable global coordination and response.”

CDC officials say variants have not caused a recent surge in cases across the United States. To date, approximately 12 COVID-19 cases have been detected caused by the South African subspecies (B.1.351) and the Brazilian subspecies (P.1).However, more than 900 cases of British variants have been reported in 34 states, authorities warn of it. May become the dominant stock in the US By March, if no additional measures are taken to stop its spread.

Relation: More contagious British coronavirus mutants are rapidly spreading in the United States, studies find

This story was reported by Cincinnati.