Virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 KP.3, LB.1, and KP.2.3 variants

• Published in: The Lancet infectious diseases 2024-08, Vol.24 (8), p.e482-e483
• Main Authors: Kaku, Yu, Yo, Maximilian Stanley, Tolentino, Jarel Elgin, Uriu, Keiya, Okumura, Kaho, Ito, Jumpei, Sato, Kei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Appendix; COVID-19 - virology; Genotypes; Humans; Immunization; Infections; Infectious diseases; Medical innovations; Medical research; Medical science; Phenotypes; Proteins; R&D; Research & development; Research facilities; SARS-CoV-2 - genetics; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Sustainable development; Vaccines
• ISSN: 1473-3099; 1474-4457; 1474-4457
• DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(24)00415-8

The SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 variant (BA.2.86.1.1), arising from BA.2.86.1 with spike-protein substitution Leu455Ser, had outcompeted the previously predominant XBB lineages by the beginning of 2024.1 Subsequently, JN.1 subvariants, including KP.2 (JN.1.11.1.2) and KP.3 (JN.1.11.1.3), which acquired additional spike-protein substitutions (eg, Arg346Thr, Phe456Leu, and Gln493Glu), have emerged concurrently (appendix pp 12–13).2 Furthermore, JN.1 subvariants such as LB.1 (JN.1.9.2.1) and KP.2.3 (JN.1.11.1.2·3), which convergently acquired a deletion at the 31st position in S (Ser31del) in addition to the aforementioned substitutions, have emerged and spread as of June, 2024 (appendix pp 12–13). KS is supported by the AMED Strategic Center of Biomedical Advanced Vaccine Research and Development for Preparedness and Response (SCARDA) Initiative for World-leading Vaccine Research and Development Centers (JP243fa627001h0003); the AMED SCARDA programme on research and development of new generation vaccine, including a new modality application (JP243fa727002); the AMED Research Program on Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (JP24fk0108690); the JSPS KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research A (JP24H00607); and the Cooperative Research Program (Joint Usage/Research Center programme) of the Institute for Life and Medical Sciences at Kyoto University (Kyoto, Japan); receives consulting fees from Moderna Japan and Takeda Pharmaceutical; and receives honoraria for lectures from Moderna Japan and Shionogi. The Genotype to Phenotype Japan Consortium and KS are supported, in part, by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) Adopting Sustainable Partnerships for Innovative Research Ecosystem programme (JP24jf0126002) and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI Fund for the Promotion of Joint International Research (JP23K20041).