Factors Associated With Vaccine-Induced T-Cell Immune Responses Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Kidney Transplant Recipients. (21st November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tometten, Inga; Landmann, Sinje; Kantauskaite, Marta; Lamberti, Joshua; Hillebrandt, Jonas; Müller, Lisa; Kittel, Margarethe; Kolb, Thilo; Ivens, Katrin; Schmitz, Michael; Voges, Anja; Adams, Ortwin; Andrée, Marcel; Schaal, Heiner; Lübke, Nadine; Königshausen, Eva; Rump, Lars Christian; Stegbauer, Johannes; Timm, Jörg
• Is Part Of: Journal of infectious diseases. Volume 227:Number 5(2023)
• Page Start: 641
• Page End: 650
• Publication Date: 2022-11-21
• Subjects: kidney transplant recipients -- enzyme-linked immunospot assay -- cellular immune response -- hybrid immunity -- vaccination; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac449
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1899

Abstract

Abstract: Vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an important prophylactic measure in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), but the immune response is often impaired. Here, we examined the T-cell immune response against SARS-CoV-2 in 148 KTRs after 3 or 4 vaccine doses, including 35 KTRs with subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infection. The frequency of spike-specific T cells was lower in KTRs than in immunocompetent controls and was correlated with the level of spike-specific antibodies. Positive predictors for detection of vaccine-induced T cells were detection of spike-specific antibodies, heterologous immunization with messenger RNA and a vector vaccine, and longer time after transplantation. In vaccinated KTRs with subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infection, the T-cell response was greatly enhanced and was significantly higher than in vaccinated KTRs without SARS-CoV-2 infection. Overall, the data show a correlation between impaired humoral and T-cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and provide evidence for greater robustness of hybrid immunity in KTRs. Abstract : Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2–specific T-cell responses are impaired in kidney transplant recipients. Their magnitude correlates with the humoral response and vaccination with a vector vaccine as well as hybrid immunity both associate with a more robust T-cell response.