TY - JOUR
T1 - SARS-CoV-2 variants
T2 - biology, pathogenicity, immunity and control
AU - Uraki, Ryuta
AU - Korber, Bette
AU - Diamond, Michael S.
AU - Kawaoka, Yoshihiro
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Springer Nature Limited 2025.
PY - 2026/1
Y1 - 2026/1
N2 - More than 5 years have passed since the emergence of the novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), yet this virus continues to circulate globally, undergoing evolutionary changes. The effective control of SARS-CoV-2 necessitates an understanding of its antigenicity, replicative capacity, pathogenicity and transmissibility, as well as the development of preventive and treatment options. In this Review, we describe the origins and evolution of SARS-CoV-2, and outline variant and subvariant-specific characteristics. We also discuss the challenges faced in implementing prevention and treatment methods, such as the emergence of antigenically distinct variants and the phenomenon of immune imprinting. This Review provides insights into combating the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and guidance for future research and vaccine development efforts.
AB - More than 5 years have passed since the emergence of the novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), yet this virus continues to circulate globally, undergoing evolutionary changes. The effective control of SARS-CoV-2 necessitates an understanding of its antigenicity, replicative capacity, pathogenicity and transmissibility, as well as the development of preventive and treatment options. In this Review, we describe the origins and evolution of SARS-CoV-2, and outline variant and subvariant-specific characteristics. We also discuss the challenges faced in implementing prevention and treatment methods, such as the emergence of antigenically distinct variants and the phenomenon of immune imprinting. This Review provides insights into combating the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and guidance for future research and vaccine development efforts.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105021408621
U2 - 10.1038/s41579-025-01255-x
DO - 10.1038/s41579-025-01255-x
M3 - Review article
C2 - 41214236
AN - SCOPUS:105021408621
SN - 1740-1526
VL - 24
SP - 8
EP - 28
JO - Nature Reviews Microbiology
JF - Nature Reviews Microbiology
IS - 1
ER -