Antigenic drift: Understanding COVID-19

Immunity. 2021 Dec 14;54(12):2681-2687. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.11.016.

Abstract

Antigenic drift refers to the evolutionary accumulation of amino acid substitutions in viral proteins selected by host adaptive immune systems as the virus circulates in a population. Antigenic drift can substantially limit the duration of immunity conferred by infection and vaccination. Here, I explain the factors contributing to the rapid antigenic drift of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and receptor proteins of other viruses and discuss the implications for SARS-CoV-2 evolution and immunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity
  • Animals
  • Antigenic Drift and Shift
  • Biological Evolution
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / physiology*
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / immunology
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • spike protein, SARS-CoV-2