RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Waning Immunity Against XBB.1.5 Following Bivalent mRNA Boosters JF bioRxiv FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory SP 2023.01.22.525079 DO 10.1101/2023.01.22.525079 A1 Lasrado, Ninaad A1 Collier, Ai-ris Y. A1 Miller, Jessica A1 Hachmann, Nicole P. A1 Liu, Jinyan A1 Sciacca, Michaela A1 Wu, Cindy A1 Anand, Trisha A1 Bondzie, Esther A. A1 Fisher, Jana L. A1 Mazurek, Camille R. A1 Patio, Robert C. A1 Powers, Olivia A1 Rodrigues, Stefanie L. A1 Rowe, Marjorie A1 Surve, Nehalee A1 Ty, Darren M. A1 Korber, Bette A1 Barouch, Dan H. YR 2023 UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2023/01/23/2023.01.22.525079.abstract AB The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has continued to evolve. XBB is a recombinant between two BA.2 sublineages, XBB.1 includes the G252V mutation, and XBB.1.5 includes the G252V and F486P mutations. XBB.1.5 has rapidly increased in frequency and has become the dominant virus in New England. The bivalent mRNA vaccine boosters have been shown to increase neutralizing antibody (NAb) titers to multiple variants, but the durability of these responses remains to be determined. We assessed humoral and cellular immune responses in 30 participants who received the bivalent mRNA boosters and performed assays at baseline prior to boosting, at week 3 after boosting, and at month 3 after boosting. Our data demonstrate that XBB.1.5 substantially escapes NAb responses but not T cell responses after bivalent mRNA boosting. NAb titers to XBB.1 and XBB.1.5 were similar, suggesting that the F486P mutation confers greater transmissibility but not increased immune escape. By month 3, NAb titers to XBB.1 and XBB.1.5 declined essentially to baseline levels prior to boosting, while NAb titers to other variants declined less strikingly.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.