Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID vaccine induces cell spikes similar to SARS-CoV-2 s
Scientists from the University of Oxford and the University of Southampton report in the journal
ACS Central Science that cells infected with the ChAdOx1 vaccine produce spike proteins on the cells similar to those produced by natural SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Artist imaging of protein spike on the surface of cells exposed to the vaccine. Image Credit: University of Southampton
The spike protein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which protrudes from the virus envelope, is the key structure responsible for infecting host cells. The S1 subunit helps bind the virus to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and the S2 subunit helps with membrane fusion with the host cell.