Continuous Tracking for Effective Tackling: Ad5/35 Platform-Based JN1 Lineage Vaccines Development in Response to...

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Vaccinology

Background:

• The SARS-CoV-2 virus continuously evolves, leading to the emergence of new variants.
• JN.1 and its subvariants (KP.2, KP.3, LB.1) are now the predominant strains globally.
• JN.1, derived from BA.2.86, possesses significant spike protein mutations, distinguishing it from previous variants like XBB.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the neutralization capacity of current JN.1 lineage vaccines against prevalent SARS-CoV-2 variants.
• To evaluate the antigenic distance of JN.1 variants from previously circulating strains.
• To determine the efficacy of updated vaccines targeting JN.1 subvariants.

Main Methods:

• Phylogenetic analysis of spike protein sequences.
• Antigenic cartography utilizing neutralization assay results.
• Assessment of neutralization titers in mouse models.

Main Results:

• JN.1 lineage variants are antigenically distant from earlier SARS-CoV-2 strains.
• JN.1 subvariants exhibited reduced neutralization by vaccines targeting XBB.1.5 in mice.
• Vaccines developed against JN.1, KP.2, KP.3, and LB.1 demonstrated significant neutralizing activity in mice.

Conclusions:

• SARS-CoV-2 evolution necessitates continuous vaccine development to match emerging variants.
• Updated vaccines targeting the JN.1 variant are crucial for effective neutralization.
• The study underscores the importance of monitoring viral evolution for public health preparedness.