BA.2.86, a recently described sublineage of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron, contains many mutations in the spike gene. It appears to have originated from BA.2 and is distinct from the XBB variants responsible for many infections in 2023. The global spread and plethora of mutations in BA.2.86 has caused concern that it may possess greater immune-evasive potential, leading to a new wave of infection. Here, we examine the ability of BA.2.86 to evade the antibody response to infection using a panel of vaccinated or naturally infected sera and find that it shows marginally less immune evasion than XBB.1.5. We locate BA.2.86 in the antigenic landscape of recent variants and look at its ability to escape panels of potent monoclonal antibodies generated against contemporary SARS-CoV-2 infections. We demonstrate, and provide a structural explanation for, increased affinity of BA.2.86 to ACE2, which may increase transmissibility.
Organizational Affiliation:
Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) Oxford Institute (COI), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) Oxford Institute (COI), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Division of Structural Biology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford, UK.
Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) Oxford Institute (COI), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Division of Structural Biology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford, UK.
Centre for Free Electron Laser Science, Hamburg, Germany.
Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.
Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.
NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.
NDM Centre for Global Health Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Viral Pseudotype Unit, Medway School of Pharmacy, University of Kent and University of Greenwich Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK.
Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK; Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK; NDM Centre for Global Health Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Division of Structural Biology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford, UK. Electronic address: liz@strubi.ox.ac.uk.
Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) Oxford Institute (COI), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. Electronic address: juthathip.mongkolsapaya@well.ox.ac.uk.
Division of Structural Biology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford, UK. Electronic address: ren@strubi.ox.ac.uk.
Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) Oxford Institute (COI), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Division of Structural Biology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford, UK; Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, Oxford, UK. Electronic address: dave@strubi.ox.ac.uk.
Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) Oxford Institute (COI), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. Electronic address: gavin.screaton@medsci.ox.ac.uk.
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