Boston College COVID researchers have mixed the omicron variant spike protein with the unique virus, testing the created pressure on mice “to assist battle in opposition to future pandemics,” in keeping with BU.
The scientists in BU’s Nationwide Rising Infectious Ailments Laboratories discovered that each one mice contaminated with solely the BA.1 omicron variant had gentle instances and survived, whereas the mixed omicron spike protein with authentic COVID-19 virus pressure inflicted extreme illness with an 80% mortality fee.
When mice had been contaminated with simply the unique, ancestral virus pressure, 100% of the mice died.
“First, this analysis shouldn't be gain-of-function analysis, that means it didn't amplify the Washington state SARS-COV-2 virus pressure (authentic virus from 2020) or make it extra harmful,” BU stated in a press release following on-line studies that the college known as “false and inaccurate.”
“In actual fact, this analysis made the virus replicate much less harmful,” the college added.
This examine gives vital insights into omicron’s potential to trigger illness, in keeping with the researchers.
“In step with research printed by others, this work reveals that it isn't the spike protein that drives Omicron pathogenicity, however as a substitute different viral proteins,” stated lead examine writer Mohsan Saeed.
“Willpower of these proteins will result in higher diagnostics and illness administration methods,” Saeed stated.
The analysis was reviewed and authorized by the Institutional Biosafety Committee, which consists of scientists in addition to local people members. The Boston Public Well being Fee additionally authorized the analysis.
“Moreover, this analysis mirrors and reinforces the findings of different, related analysis carried out by different organizations, together with the FDA,” BU stated. “Finally, this analysis will present a public profit by main to higher, focused therapeutic interventions to assist battle in opposition to future pandemics.”
The examine didn't embody humanized mice.
“One potential limitation of our examine is using K18-hACE2 mice for pathogenesis research as a substitute of the primate fashions which have extra similarities with people,” the examine reads. “It ought to nonetheless be famous that the K18-hACE2 mouse mannequin is a well-established mannequin for investigating the deadly phenotype of SARS-CoV-2.”