Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 exhibits an increased resilience to the antiviral type I interferon response. Issue 2 (23rd May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shalamova, Lyudmila; Felgenhauer, Ulrike; Wilhelm, Jochen; Schaubmar, Andreas R; Büttner, Kathrin; Schoen, Andreas; Widera, Marek; Ciesek, Sandra; Weber, Friedemann
• Editors: Telenti, Amalio
• Is Part Of: PNAS nexus. Volume 1:Issue 2(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05-23
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- SARS-CoV-2 -- Omicron variant BA.1 -- interferon induction -- interferon sensitivity; Science -- Periodicals; 505
• DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac067
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2752-6542

Abstract

Abstract: The new variant of concern (VOC) of SARS-CoV-2, Omicron (B.1.1.529), is genetically very different from other VOCs. We compared Omicron with the preceding VOC Delta (B.1.617.2) and the wildtype (wt) strain (B.1) with respect to their interactions with the antiviral interferon (IFN-alpha/beta) response in infected cells. Our data indicate that IFN induction by Omicron is low and comparable to the wt, whereas Delta showed an increased IFN induction. However, Omicron exceeded both the wt and the Delta strain with respect to the ability to withstand the antiviral state imposed by IFN-alpha.