SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody specificities differ dramatically between recently infected infants and immune-imprinted individuals

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 20, 2025

The immune response to viral infection is shaped by past exposures related virus strains, a phenomenon known as imprinting. For SARS-CoV-2, much of the population has been imprinted spike from an early strain, either through vaccination or during stages COVID-19 pandemic. As consequence this imprinting, with more recent SARS-CoV-2 strains primarily boosts cross-reactive antibodies elicited imprinting strain. Here we compare neutralizing antibody specificities individuals versus infants infected Specifically, use pseudovirus-based deep mutational scanning measure how mutations affect neutralization serum adults and children original vaccine primary XBB* variant. While activity targets receptor-binding domain (RBD), only mostly N-terminal (NTD). In these infants, secondary exposure via shifts towards RBD, although specific RBD sites targeted are different than for adults. dramatic differences in among histories likely impact evolution.

Language: Английский

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Decoding Omicron: Genetic Insight into Its Transmission Dynamics, Severity Spectrum and Ever-Evolving Strategies of Immune Escape in comparison with other SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 111(3), P. 116705 - 116705

Published: Jan. 23, 2025

Language: Английский

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Quantitative Characterization and Prediction of the Binding Determinants and Immune Escape Hotspots for Groups of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies Against Omicron Variants: Atomistic Modeling of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Complexes with Antibodies

Biomolecules, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(2), P. 249 - 249

Published: Feb. 8, 2025

A growing body of experimental and computational studies suggests that the cross-neutralization antibody activity against Omicron variants may be driven by balance tradeoff between multiple energetic factors interaction contributions evolving escape hotspots involved in antigenic drift convergent evolution. However, dynamic details quantifying contribution these factors, particularly balancing nature specific interactions formed antibodies with epitope residues, remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, we performed molecular dynamics simulations, an ensemble-based deep mutational scanning SARS-CoV-2 spike binding free energy computations for two distinct groups broadly neutralizing antibodies: E1 group (BD55-3152, BD55-3546, BD5-5840) F3 (BD55-3372, BD55-4637, BD55-5514). Using approaches, examined determinants which potent can evade immune resistance. Our analysis revealed emergence a small number positions correspond to R346 K444 strong van der Waals act synchronously, leading large contribution. According our results, Abs effectively exploit hotspot clusters hydrophobic sites are critical functions along selective complementary targeting positively charged important ACE2 binding. Together conserved epitopes, lead expand breadth resilience neutralization shifts associated viral The results study demonstrate excellent qualitative agreement predicted mutations respect latest experiments on average scores. We argue epitopes leverage stability binding, while tend emerge synergistically electrostatic interactions.

Language: Английский

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Mutational Scanning and Binding Free Energy Computations of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Complexes with Distinct Groups of Neutralizing Antibodies: Energetic Drivers of Convergent Evolution of Binding Affinity and Immune Escape Hotspots

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 26(4), P. 1507 - 1507

Published: Feb. 11, 2025

The rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has led to the emergence variants with increased immune evasion capabilities, posing significant challenges antibody-based therapeutics and vaccines. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive structural energetic analysis spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) complexes neutralizing antibodies from four distinct groups (A–D), including group A LY-CoV016, B AZD8895 REGN10933, C LY-CoV555, D AZD1061, REGN10987, LY-CoV1404. Using coarse-grained simplified simulation models, energy-based mutational scanning, rigorous MM-GBSA binding free energy calculations, elucidated molecular mechanisms antibody escape mechanisms, identified key hotspots, explored evolutionary strategies employed by virus evade neutralization. residue-based decomposition revealed thermodynamic factors underlying effect mutations on binding. results demonstrate excellent qualitative agreement between predicted hotspots latest experiments escape. These findings provide valuable insights into determinants viral escape, highlighting importance targeting conserved epitopes leveraging combination therapies mitigate risk evasion.

Language: Английский

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Conformational and Stability Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Variants by Molecular Simulation

Pathogens, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(3), P. 274 - 274

Published: March 12, 2025

We performed a comprehensive structural analysis of the conformational space several spike (S) protein variants using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Specifically, we examined four well-known (Delta, BA.1, XBB.1.5, and JN.1) alongside wild-type (WT) form SARS-CoV-2. The states each variant were characterized by analyzing their distributions within selected collective variables (CVs), such as inter-domain distances between receptor-binding domain (RBD) N-terminal (NTD). Our primary focus was to identify relevant potential transitions determine set native contacts (NCs) that stabilize these conformations. results reveal genetically more distant variants, JN.1, tend adopt compact compared WT. Additionally, exhibit novel NC profiles, an increased number specific distributed among ionic, polar, nonpolar residues. further analyzed impact mutations, including T478K, N500Y, Y504H. These mutations not only enhance interactions with human host receptor but also alter inter-chain stability introducing additional NCs Consequently, may influence accessibility certain regions neutralizing antibodies. Overall, findings contribute deeper understanding functional variations S variants.

Language: Английский

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SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody specificities differ dramatically between recently infected infants and immune-imprinted individuals

Journal of Virology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 25, 2025

ABSTRACT The immune response to viral infection is shaped by past exposures related virus strains, a phenomenon known as imprinting. For severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), much of the population has been imprinted spike from an early strain, either through vaccination or during stages COVID-19 pandemic. As consequence this imprinting, with more recent SARS-CoV-2 strains primarily boosts cross-reactive antibodies elicited imprinting strain. Here we compare neutralizing antibody specificities individuals versus infants infected Specifically, use pseudovirus-based deep mutational scanning measure how mutations affect neutralization serum adults and children original vaccine primary XBB* variant. While activity targets receptor-binding domain (RBD), only mostly N-terminal domain. In these infants, secondary exposure via shifts toward RBD, although specific RBD sites targeted are different adults. dramatic differences in among histories likely impact evolution. IMPORTANCE We show that person’s history strongly affects which regions on their target. particular, who have just once strain make target than exposed both older strains. This person-to-person heterogeneity means same mutation can impacts immunity people.

Language: Английский

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Increased preference for lysine over arginine in spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 variant and its daughter lineages

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(4), P. e0320891 - e0320891

Published: April 7, 2025

The COVID-19 pandemic offered an unprecedented glimpse into the evolution of its causative virus, SARS-CoV-2. It has been estimated that since outbreak in late 2019, virus explored all possible alternatives terms missense mutations for sites polypeptide chain. Spike protein exhibits largest sequence variation particular, with many individual impacting target recognition, cellular entry, and endosomal escape virus. Moreover, recent studies unveiled a significant increase total charge on spike during initial period pandemic. While this trend recently come to halt, we perform sequence-based analysis 2665 SARS-CoV-2 variants which shows ionizable amino acids continue occur newly emerging variants, notable differences between lineages from different clades. What is more, show within can acquire positive charge, prominent preference lysine residues over arginine residues. This lysine-to-arginine ratio increased at several points evolution, most BA.2.86 sublineages, including dominant JN.1, KP.3, XEC variants. consequence structural regions now among highest viral species Coronaviridae family. impact high proteins daughter fitness remains unclear; discuss potential mechanisms could play role serve as starting point further studies.

Language: Английский

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Structural and Energetic Insights into SARS-CoV-2 Evolution: Analysis of hACE2–RBD Binding in Wild-Type, Delta, and Omicron Subvariants

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 26(8), P. 3776 - 3776

Published: April 17, 2025

The evolution of SARS-CoV-2, particularly the emergence Omicron variants, has raised questions regarding changes in its binding affinity to human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor (hACE2). Understanding impact mutations on interaction between receptor-binding domain (RBD) spike protein and hACE2 is critical for evaluating viral transmissibility, immune evasion, efficacy therapeutic strategies. Here, we used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations energy calculations investigate structural energetic differences hACE2- RBD complexes wild-type (WT), Delta, subvariants. Our results indicate that Delta first variants showed highest second-highest among studied. Furthermore, while exhibit increased stability altered electrostatic potential at hACE2–RBD interface when compared ancestral WT, their strength does not consistently increase with evolution. Moreover, newer subvariants like JN.1 a bimodal conformational strategy, alternating high-affinity state low-affinity state, which could potentially facilitate evasion. These findings suggest that, addition enhanced affinity, other factors, such as evasion adaptability, shape SARS-CoV-2

Language: Английский

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Exploring Diverse Binding Mechanisms of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies S309, S304, CYFN-1006 and VIR-7229 Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Spike Omicron Variants: Integrative Computational Modeling Reveals Balance of Evolutionary and Dynamic Adaptability in Shaping Molecular Determinants of Immune Escape

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 17, 2025

Abstract Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has led to the emergence variants with increased immune evasion capabilities, posing significant challenges antibody-based therapeutics and vaccines. The cross-neutralization activity antibodies against Omicron is governed by a complex delicate interplay multiple energetic factors interaction contributions. In this study, we conducted comprehensive analysis interactions between receptor-binding domain (RBD) spike protein four neutralizing S309, S304, CYFN1006, VIR-7229. Using integrative computational modeling that combined all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, mutational scanning, MM-GBSA binding free energy calculations, elucidated structural, energetic, dynamic determinants antibody binding. Our findings reveal distinct mechanisms evolutionary adaptation driving broad neutralization effect these antibodies. We show S309 targets conserved residues near ACE2 interface, leveraging synergistic van der Waals electrostatic interactions, while S304 focuses on fewer but sensitive residues, making it more susceptible escape mutations. CYFN-1006.1 CYFN-1006.2 highlights epitope coverage critical anchors at T345, K440, T346, enhancing its efficacy carrying K356T mutation which caused from broadly potent VIR-7229 XBB.1.5 EG.5 emphasized large structurally epitope, demonstrating certain adaptability compensatory effects F456L L455S Mutational profiling identified key crucial for binding, including P337, R346 T385 K386 underscoring their roles as "weak spots" balance viral fitness evasion. results demonstrate good agreement predicted hotspots mutations respect latest experiments average scores. study dissect importance targeting diverse epitopes counteract resistance. Broad-spectrum CYFN1006 maintain across achieve convergent evolution enabling tolerance in positions through structural interface. underscore diversity employed different basis high affinity excellent generation

Language: Английский

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Dual‐Locking the SARS‐CoV‐2 Spike Trimer: An Amphipathic Molecular “Bolt” Stabilizes Conserved Druggable Interfaces for Coronavirus Inhibition

Advanced Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 26, 2025

Abstract The SARS‐CoV‐2 spike (S) protein, a trimeric structure comprising three receptor binding domains (RBDs) and N‐terminal (NTDs), undergoes substantial conformational changes to fusion‐prone open state for angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) host cell infection. Stabilizing its closed is key antiviral strategy but remains challenging. Here, we introduce S416, novel amphipathic molecule acting as “molecular bolt”. Cryo‐EM study reveals that S416 binds concurrently six sites across two distinct druggable interfaces: molecules at the RBD‐RBD interfaces NTD‐RBD interfaces. This unique “dual‐locking” mechanism, driven by S416's polar carboxyl head nonpolar phenylthiazole tail, robustly stabilizes trimer in locked, conformation through strong inter‐domain interactions, reducing structural flexibility atomic fluctuations compared apo resolved synchronously. Crucially, these are conserved human‐infecting coronaviruses, suggesting potential broad‐spectrum targets. Our findings demonstrate highly dynamic can be effectively stabilized an molecular bolt targeting both inter‐ intra‐monomer interfaces, offering promising against emerging coronaviruses.

Language: Английский

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