The “Surprisingly Different” JN.1 Variant Is a Game-Changer in Our COVID Battle

JN.1 COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) Variants that will emerge in the second half of 2023 are virusHe called for the evolution of global health and emphasized the need for sustained global health action.

Because it was detected in August 2023the JN.1 variant of COVID includes: widely popular. It has become mainstream in Australia, In the world,drive Biggest new coronavirus wave We've seen this in many jurisdictions for at least the past year.

World Health Organization (WHO) classified JN.1 will be announced as a “featured variant” in December and January 2023. strongly stated The coronavirus continues to be a global health threat, causing “too many” preventable illnesses and potentially worrying long-term health effects.

”#COVID remains a global health threat and poses too great a burden even if it could be prevented.

What will it look like five years from now, 10 years from now, in terms of heart damage, lung damage, neurological damage? We don't know. ”
– @mvankerkhove of @who pic.twitter.com/yB73YXekhb

— United Nations Geneva (@UNGeneva) January 12, 2024

JN.1 is important.First as a pathogen – it's a surprisingly new version SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes the novel coronavirus) and is rapidly replacing other prevalent strains (Omicron XBB).

It is also important because it describes the evolution of the new coronavirus. Variants of SARS-CoV-2 are usually very similar to those that existed before, and by accumulating just a few mutations at a time, the virus can gain a significant advantage over its parent virus. I can.

However, sometimes a variant emerges suddenly with characteristics significantly different from the previous one, as was the case with the emergence of Omicron (B.1.1.529) two years ago. This has significant implications for disease and transmission.

Until now, it was not clear whether this “step change” evolution would occur again, especially given the continued success of steadily evolving omicron subspecies.

Many people are wondering about JN.1 because it is so distinctive and is causing a new wave of infections. who recognizes JN.1 as the next variant of concern with its own Greek alphabet. In any case, with JN.1 we have entered a new phase of the pandemic.

Where did JN.1 come from?

The story of JN.1 (or BA.2.86.1.1) begins with its appearance. parent's lineage BA.2.86 around mid-2023. It comes from a much earlier (2022) Omicron subvariant BA.2.

chronic infection This problem may remain unresolved for months (if not years for some) and may play a role in the emergence of these step-change variants.

In a chronically infected person, the virus silently tests and eventually carries many mutations that help it evade immunity and survive within that person. For BA.2.86 this would be: over 30 mutations of the spike protein, a protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 that allows it to attach to cells.

A huge number of infections are occurring around the world, setting the stage for a major evolution of the virus. SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread. very high mutation rate.Therefore, JN.1 itself is already mutation and evolution Quickly.

How is JN.1 different from other variants?

BA.2.86 and the current JN.1 operate in a way that appears unique for laboratory studies in two ways.

The first concerns how viruses evade immunity. Inherited by JN.1 over 30 mutations It's inside the spike protein. Also acquired a new mutation, L455SThis further reduces the ability of antibodies (part of the immune system's defense response) to bind to the virus and prevent infection.

The second involves changes to the JN.1 methodology. enter It is then replicated within our cells. Although not delving into molecular details, recent high-profile laboratory-based studies include America and Europe observed that BA.2.86 entered cells from the lung in a manner similar to delta-like premicron mutants. However, in contrast, a preliminary study by Australia's Kirby Institute found that using various techniques Find replication characteristics that better match micron lineages.

Further studies are needed to elucidate these different cell entry findings, as they may influence where the virus may preferentially replicate in the body and influence disease severity and transmission. ,It is important.

Either way, these findings suggest that JN.1 (and SARS-CoV-2 in general) is finding new ways to not only bypass the immune system, but to infect and effectively infect cells. is shown. More research is needed into how this affects people and what impact it has on clinical outcomes.

JN.1 has several characteristics that make it different from other variants.

Is JN.1 more difficult?

The gradual evolution of BA.2.86, combined with the immune evasion function of JN.1, allows the virus to Benefits of global growth Far beyond the XBB.1-based lineage we faced in 2023.

Despite these characteristics, evidence shows that we adaptive immune system You can still recognize and respond to BA.286 and JN.1 effectively.Latest monovalent vaccines, tests, and treatments maintain the effect v. J.N.1.

“Severity” has two components. The first is that it is “inherently” more severe (worse disease due to infection in the absence of immunity), and the second is that the virus is more contagious just because it is contagious. It is a case of causing more illness and death. More people. The latter is certainly the case for JN.1.

What's next?

We have no idea whether this virus is in the process of evolving to become the “next cold,” and we also have no idea when that will happen.meanwhile Examine the trajectory Of the four historic coronaviruses, we may be able to get a glimpse of where we are headed, but this should be considered just one possible path. The emergence of JN.1 highlights that we continue to experience the spread of coronavirus, and that appears to be the way to go for the foreseeable future.

We are now entering a new phase of the pandemic: post-emergency. However, COVID-19 remains a major infectious disease causing harm globally in both acute and post-infectious forms. long coronavirus. At both a societal and individual level, we need to reconsider the risks of wave after wave of infection.

In summary, this highlights the importance of: A comprehensive strategy to reduce the transmission and impact of coronavirusminimal enforcement (for example, clean indoor air intervention).

People are advised Continue to take proactive steps to protect yourself and those around you.

It is critical that we strengthen our pandemic preparedness for emerging threats and improve our response to current threats. continue global surveillance. The underrepresentation of low- and middle-income countries is a worrying blind spot. It is also important to strengthen research.

Written by:

• Suman Majumdar – Associate Professor and Chief Health Officer, Barnett Institute – Coronavirus and Health Emergencies
• Brendan Crabb – Barnett Institute Director and CEO
• Emma Pakula – Senior Research Policy Officer, Burnett Institute
• Stuart Turvill – Associate Professor, Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program, Kirby Institute, Sydney, New South Wales

Adapted from an article originally published in conversation.