Positing changes in neutralizing antibody activity for SARS-CoV-2 XBB.1.5 using in silico protein modeling

The SARS-CoV-2 variant XBB.1.5 is of concern as it has high transmissibility. XBB.1.5 currently accounts for upwards of 30% of new infections in the United States. One year after our group published the predicted structure of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant's receptor binding domain and antibody binding affinity, we return to investigate the new mutations seen in XBB.1.5. Using in silico modeling approaches against newer neutralizing antibodies that are shown effective against B.1.1.529, we posit the immune consequences of XBB.1.5's mutations and show that there is no statistically significant difference in overall antibody evasion when comparing to the B.1.1.529, BJ.1, and BM.1.1.1 variants. However, specific noticeable hints of neutralizing activity changes were seen due to particular amino acid changes of interest in the newer variants. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.