Epsilon variant mutations contribute to COVID immune evasion

(University of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine) Three mutations in the Epsilon coronavirus spike protein dampen the neutralizing potency of antibodies induced by current vaccines or past COVID infections. The mutations give this coronavirus variant of concern a means to totally evade specific monoclonal antibodies used in clinics and reduce the effectiveness of antibodies from plasma of vaccinated people. The latest molecular exploration of the mutation-remodeled configuration of the c...