Spike (XBB.1.16, Omicron Variant) (SARS-CoV-2) Pseudotyped Lentivirus (eGFP Reporter)
The Spike (XBB.1.16 Omicron Variant) (SARS-CoV-2) Pseudotyped Lentiviruses are replication incompetent, HIV-based lentiviral particles. They were produced with SARS-CoV-2 Spike (Genbank Accession #QHD43416.1 containing all the Omicron XBB.1.16 mutations; see below for details) as the envelope glycoprotein instead of the commonly used VSV-G. These pseudovirions contain eGFP driven by a CMV promoter (Figure 1), allowing the spike-mediated cell entry to be measured by the eGFP fluorescence signal. The Spike (XBB.1.16, Omicron Variant) (SARS-CoV-2) pseudotyped lentivirus can be used to measure the activity of neutralizing antibody against SARS-CoV-2 XBB.1.16.
The Spike Omicron XBB.1.16 pseudoviruses have been validated for use with ACE2-HEK293 target cells (which overexpress ACE2; BPS Bioscience #79951).
Figure 1. Schematic of the lenti-vector used to generate the eGFP Reporter in the Spike (XBB.1.16, Omicron Variant) (SARS-CoV-2) Pseudotyped Lentivirus.
Name | Ordering Information |
Thaw Medium 1 | BPS Bioscience #60187 |
ACE2- HEK293 Recombinant Cell Line | BPS Bioscience #79951 |
96-well white clear-bottom assay plate | Corning #3610 |
The lentivirus particles were produced from HEK293T cells. They are supplied in cell culture medium containing 90% DMEM + 10% FBS. Virus particles can be packaged in custom formulations by special request, for an additional fee.
The pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As the first step of the viral replication, the virus attaches to the host cell surface before entering the cell. The viral Spike protein recognizes and attaches to the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor found on the surface of type I and II pneumocytes, endothelial cells, and ciliated bronchial epithelial cells. Drugs targeting the interaction between the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and human ACE2 may offer protection against the viral infection. The Omicron Variant was identified in South Africa in November of 2021. This variant has a large number of mutations that allow the virus to spread easier and quicker than other variants. As of May 2022, Omicron variants were divided into seven distinct sub-lineages: BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5. As of April 2023, additional new sub-lineages (BQ.1, BQ.1.1, BF.7, XBB.1, XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16) have been identified.