SARS-CoV-2 variants - Evolution, spike protein, and vaccines

Kai-Wei K Chen; Daniel Tsung-Ning Huang; Li-Min Huang

doi:10.1016/j.bj.2022.04.006

SARS-CoV-2 variants - Evolution, spike protein, and vaccines

Biomed J. 2022 Aug;45(4):573-579. doi: 10.1016/j.bj.2022.04.006. Epub 2022 May 6.

Authors

Kai-Wei K Chen¹, Daniel Tsung-Ning Huang², Li-Min Huang³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, MacKay Children's Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
² Department of Pediatrics, MacKay Children's Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan.
³ Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Children's Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: lmhuang@ntu.edu.tw.

Abstract

Despite the rising natural and vaccines mediated immunity, several countries have experienced a resurgence of the Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) due to the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. From Alpha to Omicron, the variants of concern (VOC) have evolved several spike protein mutations that may have an impact on virus characteristics, such as transmissibility and antigenicity. In this review, we describe the evolution of SARS-CoV-2, summarize current knowledge of epidemiological and clinical features of the variants, and discuss the response strategies in terms of vaccines to reduce the burden of COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Spike mutations; Vaccines; Variant of concern.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

COVID-19 Vaccines*
COVID-19* / prevention & control
Humans
SARS-CoV-2 / genetics
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus* / genetics

Substances

COVID-19 Vaccines
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
spike protein, SARS-CoV-2

Supplementary concepts

SARS-CoV-2 variants