SARS-CoV-2 protein ORF8 limits expression levels of Spike antigen and facilitates immune evasion of infected host cells.
J Biol Chem
; 299(8): 104955, 2023 08.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37354973
ABSTRACT
Recovery from COVID-19 depends on the ability of the host to effectively neutralize virions and infected cells, a process largely driven by antibody-mediated immunity. However, with the newly emerging variants that evade Spike-targeting antibodies, re-infections and breakthrough infections are increasingly common. A full characterization of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mechanisms counteracting antibody-mediated immunity is therefore needed. Here, we report that ORF8 is a virally encoded SARS-CoV-2 factor that controls cellular Spike antigen levels. We show that ORF8 limits the availability of mature Spike by inhibiting host protein synthesis and retaining Spike at the endoplasmic reticulum, reducing cell-surface Spike levels and recognition by anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. In conditions of limited Spike availability, we found ORF8 restricts Spike incorporation during viral assembly, reducing Spike levels in virions. Cell entry of these virions then leaves fewer Spike molecules at the cell surface, limiting antibody recognition of infected cells. Based on these findings, we propose that SARS-CoV-2 variants may adopt an ORF8-dependent strategy that facilitates immune evasion of infected cells for extended viral production.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Contexto en salud:
4_TD
Problema de salud:
4_pneumonia
Asunto principal:
Regulación Viral de la Expresión Génica
/
Evasión Inmune
/
Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Biol Chem
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article