PulseJournal ClubResearchersJournalsExplore
Instagram
HomeJournal ClubExplore
Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
April 27, 2026npj VaccinesOpen Access

Prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike reshapes antigenic hierarchy and antibody targeting against conserved and occluded epitopes

View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Authors

SOShintaro OishiRKRyutaro KotakiHDHisham M. Dokainish

Discussion

Loading...

Member takes

Overview

Randomized trial shows reduced neutralizing potency in vaccine recipients compared to convalescents, suggesting changes in antibody targeting.

Key Points

  • This research aims to understand how the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein affects antibody responses in vaccinated individuals compared to those recovered from infection.
  • Evaluated neutralizing antibody responses in large cohorts of vaccinated and convalescent individuals.
  • Measured the neutralizing potency index (NPI) and RBD IgG titers.
  • Utilized molecular dynamics simulations and binding assays to study epitope exposure.
  • NPI is approximately fivefold lower in vaccine recipients compared to convalescent individuals.
  • The lower NPI is linked to greater targeting of conserved and occluded RBD epitopes.
  • Stabilizing mutations in the vaccine spike antigen alter conformational dynamics, exposing occluded epitopes.

Cite This Study

Oishi et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69eefd82fede9185760d4324https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-026-01464-2
View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Impact of SARS-CoV-2 spike stability and RBD exposure on antigenicity and immunogenicity2024 · 17 citations
  2. 2Structure-selected RBM immunogens prime polyclonal memory responses that neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern2022 · 8 citations
  3. 3Broadly neutralizing antibodies targeting a conserved silent face of spike RBD resist extreme SARS-CoV-2 antigenic drift2025 · 19 citations
  4. 4Enhanced Assessment of Cross-Reactive Antigenic Determinants within the Spike Protein2024 · 3 citations
  5. 5Humoral Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Receptor-Binding Motif Linear Epitopes2024 · 3 citations