Escape from neutralizing antibodies by SARS-CoV-2 spike protein variants

Neutralizing antibodies elicited by prior infection or vaccination are likely to be key for future protection of individuals and populations against SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, passively administered antibodies are among the most promising therapeutic and prophylactic anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents. However, the degree to which SARS-CoV-2 will adapt to evade neutralizing antibodies is unclear. Using a recombinant chimeric VSV/SARS-CoV-2 reporter virus, we show that functional SARS-CoV-2 S protein variants with mutations in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and N-terminal domain that confer resistance to monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma can be readily selected. Notably, SARS-CoV-2 S variants that resist commonly…

• HH
  Howard Hughes Medical Institute
• GH
  G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Charitable Foundation
• GM
  George Mason University
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Award: UL1 TR001866
• NI
  National Institute of General Medical Sciences

  Award: T32GM007739
• NI
  National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

  Awards: R37AI64003, R01AI091707-10S1, P01AI138398-S1, R01AI078788, 2U19AI111825