January 21, 2021

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Spike Variant on Neutralisation

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Vaccines and Immunity

Keywords (Tags): immunity

[pre-print, not peer reviewed] Sera from participants who received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine BNT162b2 three weeks prior had no reduction in neutralizing activity against a pseudovirus with the three key spike protein mutations (N501Y, A570D, and 69/70 deletion) in the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant with higher transmission potential, compared to the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 strain. However, among 15 participants with neutralization activity three weeks after the Pfizer vaccine, 10 showed evidence of reduction in efficacy of antibodies against the B.1.1.7 mutant and neutralization titers were reduced up to 6-fold (median 3.85-fold) against the full set of 8 spike protein mutations present in the B.1.1.7 variant.

Collier et al. (Jan 20, 2021). Impact of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Spike Variant on Neutralisation Potency of Sera from Individuals Vaccinated with Pfizer Vaccine BNT162b2. Pre-print downloaded Jan 21 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.19.21249840