Virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 variant

• Published in: Cell host & microbe Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 170 - 180.e12
• Main Authors: Tamura, Tomokazu, Mizuma, Keita, Nasser, Hesham, Deguchi, Sayaka, Padilla-Blanco, Miguel, Oda, Yoshitaka, Uriu, Keiya, Tolentino, Jarel E.M., Tsujino, Shuhei, Suzuki, Rigel, Kojima, Isshu, Nao, Naganori, Shimizu, Ryo, Wang, Lei, Tsuda, Masumi, Jonathan, Michael, Kosugi, Yusuke, Guo, Ziyi, Hinay, Alfredo A., Putri, Olivia, Kim, Yoonjin, Tanaka, Yuri L., Asakura, Hiroyuki, Nagashima, Mami, Sadamasu, Kenji, Yoshimura, Kazuhisa, Saito, Akatsuki, Ito, Jumpei, Irie, Takashi, Tanaka, Shinya, Zahradnik, Jiri, Ikeda, Terumasa, Takayama, Kazuo, Matsuno, Keita, Fukuhara, Takasuke, Sato, Kei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 14.02.2024
• Subjects: Amino Acids; Animals; BA.2.86; COVID-19; Cricetinae; Kinetics; Mutation; pathogenicity; SARS-CoV-2; SARS-CoV-2 - genetics; COVID-19; pathogenicity; SARS-CoV-2; BA.2.86
• ISSN: 1931-3128; 1934-6069; 1934-6069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2024.01.001

In late 2023, several SARS-CoV-2 XBB descendants, notably EG.5.1, were predominant worldwide. However, a distinct SARS-CoV-2 lineage, the BA.2.86 variant, also emerged. BA.2.86 is phylogenetically distinct from other Omicron sublineages, accumulating over 30 amino acid mutations in its spike protein. Here, we examined the virological characteristics of the BA.2.86 variant. Our epidemic dynamics modeling suggested that the relative reproduction number of BA.2.86 is significantly higher than that of EG.5.1. Additionally, four clinically available antivirals were effective against BA.2.86. Although the fusogenicity of BA.2.86 spike is similar to that of the parental BA.2 spike, the intrinsic pathogenicity of BA.2.86 in hamsters was significantly lower than that of BA.2. Since the growth kinetics of BA.2.86 are significantly lower than those of BA.2 both in vitro and in vivo, the attenuated pathogenicity of BA.2.86 is likely due to its decreased replication capacity. These findings uncover the features of BA.2.86, providing insights for control and treatment. [Display omitted] •BA.2.86 is more transmissible than the currently predominant EG.5.1•The sensitivity of BA.2.86 to antiviral drugs is comparable to that of EG.5.1•The replication efficiency of BA.2.86 in vitro and in vivo is lower than that of EG.5.1•In hamsters, BA.2.86 is less pathogenic than EG.5.1 and the parental BA.2 Tamura and G2P-Japan Consortium et al. elucidate the virological properties of the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 variant. BA.2.86 is more transmissible than EG.5.1. Although the BA.2.86 spike has higher ACE2 affinity, it is less fusogenic and less replicative than the EG.5.1 spike. Notably, BA.2.86 is less pathogenic than EG.5.1 and BA.2.