Chinese Researchers: "Coronavirus Mutated at Least 6 Times This Year... Vaccine Effectiveness Could Be Rendered Ineffective in Short Term"

Published 20 Jun.2020 18:35(KST)

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Hee-eun Park] Even if a vaccine for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is developed, research results have been published suggesting that its effectiveness may only last for a short period. This is due to the rapid mutation of the virus that causes COVID-19.

On the 20th, according to the Hong Kong media South China Morning Post (SCMP), researchers including Leng Qibin from the Guangzhou Respiratory Disease National Key Laboratory and Zhu Tianyi from the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center recently announced these research findings through the preprint site bioRxiv.

In a paper that has not yet undergone peer review, the researchers explained, "The COVID-19 virus has undergone at least six major genetic mutations this year, enhancing its infectivity and its ability to evade attacks from the human immune system."

The virus that causes COVID-19 infects human cells by using its spike protein to bind to the receptor protein (ACE2) within the human body.

The researchers further explained, "Through three mutations, including one in the gene called 'N439K,' the chemical bonding between the spike protein and ACE2 has been strengthened, enhancing the binding ability."

Another set of three mutations is related to the immune system, such as destroying ionic bonds between the virus and antibodies. The researchers estimated that these mutations are similar to those found in the AIDS virus (HIV) and influenza.

Therefore, the virus causing COVID-19 can quickly evade attacks from the human immune system through rapid mutations.

The researchers predicted, "Even if an effective vaccine against the currently circulating COVID-19 is developed, mutations that enable 'immune evasion' in the virus may occur, rendering the vaccine ineffective in a short period," and added, "We expect COVID-19 vaccine development to be carried out periodically, similar to influenza."