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Author Spotlight: A Pseudotype Virus System for Assessing Omicron Subvariants and Neutralizing Antibodies in SARS-CoV-2 Research
Published on: September 8, 2023
Virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 variant
Tomokazu Tamura1, Keita Mizuma2, Hesham Nasser3
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Institute for Vaccine Research and Development (IVReD), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; One Health Research Center, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
Abstract:
In late 2023, several SARS-CoV-2 XBB descendants, notably EG.5.1, were predominant worldwide. However, a distinct SARS-CoV-2 lineage, the BA.2.86 variant, also emerged. BA.2.86 is phylogenetically distinct from other Omicron sublineages, accumulating over 30 amino acid mutations in its spike protein. Here, we examined the virological characteristics of the BA.2.86 variant. Our epidemic dynamics modeling suggested that the relative reproduction number of BA.2.86 is significantly higher than that of EG.5.1. Additionally, four clinically available antivirals were effective against BA.2.86. Although the fusogenicity of BA.2.86 spike is similar to that of the parental BA.2 spike, the intrinsic pathogenicity of BA.2.86 in hamsters was significantly lower than that of BA.2. Since the growth kinetics of BA.2.86 are significantly lower than those of BA.2 both in vitro and in vivo, the attenuated pathogenicity of BA.2.86 is likely due to its decreased replication capacity. These findings uncover the features of BA.2.86, providing insights for control and treatment.
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