Contributing to research themes:
Multiple SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have shown protective efficacy, which is most likely mediated by neutralizing antibodies recognizing the viral entry protein, Spike. As new SARS-CoV-2 variants are rapidly emerging, exemplified by the B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and P.1 lineages, it is critical to understand if antibody responses induced by infection with the original SARS-CoV-2 virus or current vaccines remain effective. In this study we evaluate neutralization of a series of mutated Spike pseudotypes based on divergence from SARS-CoV and then compare neutralization of the B.1.1.7 Spike pseudotype and individual mutations. Spike-specific monoclonal antibody neutralization was dramatically reduced, in contrast, polyclonal antibodies from patients infected in early 2020 remained active against most mutated Spike pseudotypes, however potency was reduced in a minority of samples. This work highlights that changes in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike can alter neutralization sensitivity and underlines the need for effective real-time monitoring of emerging mutations and their impact on vaccine efficacy.