The humoral and cellular immune evasion of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and sub-lineages

• Published in: Virologica Sinica Vol. 37; no. 6; pp. 786 - 795
• Main Authors: Xiang, Tiandan, Wang, Junzhong, Zheng, Xin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.12.2022; The Authors. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co. Ltd
• Subjects: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Neutralizing; Antibodies, Viral; Antibody evasion; Cellular immunity; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Humans; Immune Evasion; Omicron; Review; SARS-CoV-2; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; Vaccine; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccine; Cellular immunity; Omicron; Antibody evasion
• ISSN: 1995-820X; 1674-0769; 1995-820X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2022.11.007

The recently discovered SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron (B.1.1.529) has rapidly become a global public health issue. The substantial mutations in the spike protein in this new variant have raised concerns about its ability to escape from pre-existing immunity established by natural infection or vaccination. In this review, we give a summary of current knowledge concerning the antibody evasion properties of Omicron and its subvariants (BA.2, BA.2.12.1, BA.4/5, and BA.2.75) from therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and the sera of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine recipients or convalescent patients. We also summarize whether vaccine-induced cellular immunity (memory B cell and T cell response) can recognize Omicron specifically. In brief, the Omicron variants demonstrated remarkable antibody evasion, with even more striking antibody escape seen in the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 sub-lineages. Luckily, the third booster vaccine dose significantly increased the neutralizing antibodies titers, and the vaccine-induced cellular response remains conserved and provides second-line defense against the Omicron. •Omicron and its sub-lineages significantly enhanced their transmissibility and immune evasion.•Omicron BA.2.12.1, BA.4/5, and BA.2.75 sub-lineages show more significant antibody escape than BA.1 and BA.2.•Third booster dose vaccination is important, but the need for the fourth dose remains to be determined.•The SARS-CoV-2 specific B cell and T cell response was conserved and able to cross-recognize the Omicron.