Characterization of a new SARS-CoV-2 variant that emerged in Brazil

Abstract

The spike (S) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) plays a key role in viral infectivity. It is also the major antigen stimulating the host's protective immune response, specifically, the production of neutralizing antibodies. Recently, a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 possessing multiple mutations in the S protein, designated P.1, emerged in Brazil. Here, we characterized a P.1 variant isolated in Japan by using Syrian hamsters, a well-established small animal model for the study of SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19). In hamsters, the variant showed replicative abilities and pathogenicity similar to those of early and contemporary strains (i.e., SARS-CoV-2 bearing aspartic acid [D] or glycine [G] at position 614 of the S protein). Sera and/or plasma from convalescent patients and BNT162b2 messenger RNA vaccinees showed comparable neutralization titers across the P.1 variant, S-614D, and S-614G strains. In contrast, the S-614D and S-614G strains were less well recognized than the P.1 variant by serum from a P.1-infected patient. Prior infection with S-614D or S-614G strains efficiently prevented the replication of the P.1 variant in the lower respiratory tract of hamsters upon reinfection. In addition, passive transfer of neutralizing antibodies to hamsters infected with the P.1 variant or the S-614G strain led to reduced virus replication in the lower respiratory tract. However, the effect was less pronounced against the P.1 variant than the S-614G strain. These findings suggest that the P.1 variant may be somewhat antigenically different from the early and contemporary strains of SARS-CoV-2.

Animal Models for COVID-19: Hamsters, Mouse, Ferret, Mink, Tree Shrew, and Non-human Primates

“…Therefore, Syrian hamsters can be used for research on viral transmissibility. At present, the replicative abilities, pathogenicity, transmissibility, and susceptibility to neutralization of some virus variants (P.1, D614G, and a variant with a deletion at the S1/S2 junction of the spike protein) have been evaluated in hamsters ( Hou et al, 2020 ; Imai et al, 2021 ; Plante et al, 2021 ; Wang et al, 2021 ).…”

Natural and Experimental SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Domestic and Wild Animals

“…Species that are generally susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 are listed in red, marginally susceptible species are listed in cyan, and generally resistant species are listed in blue. * Experimental evidence showed that wild-type mice ( Mus musculus ) are susceptible to mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 isolates or certain variants of concern (VOC) that contain an N501Y substitution in the spike protein [ 138 , 139 , 140 , 141 ] In contrast, gene-edited mice expressing the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor are highly susceptible to infection with ancestral and variant SARS-CoV-2 strains [ 142 , 143 , 144 , 145 , 146 , 147 , 148 , 149 ]. ** Cottontail rabbits ( Sylvilagus sp.)…”

Lack of Evidence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Spillover in Free-Living Neotropical Non-Human Primates, Brazil

“…According to the last epidemiological bulletin of the Amazonas state, Manaus recorded 194,957 COVID-19 cases, 9263 deaths, and a lethality rate of 4.8% [33]. Moreover, several SARS-CoV-2 VOCs circulate broadly in Brazil [34,35]. VOCs are SARS-CoV-2 lineages associated with increased transmissibility and severity and decreased vaccination effectiveness in humans.…”