Variation in ORF3a Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Decreases the Severity of Host Cell Damage.

SARS-CoV-2-ORF3a-Q57H causes lower oxidative stress and cell damage compared to the Wuhan-type variant, which could help explain the decreased mortality associated with the ORF3a-Q57H variant. These results provide novel insights on how genetic variations of SARS-CoV-2 influence the pathophysiology and clinical severity of COVID-19.