Determinants of Immune Response to Anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccines in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background. Immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination has been recently shown to be impaired in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), but the underlying factors affecting vaccine effectiveness need to be further elucidated. Methods. In this prospective cohort study, antibodies against S1 and S2 subunits of SARS-CoV-2 were evaluated using an immunochemiluminescent assay (cutoff 9.5 AU/mL, sensitivity 91.2%, and specificity 90.2%) in 736 KTRs, who were previously either naive or infected with SARS-CoV-2 and vaccinated before or after transplantation. Cellular response was analyzed in a subset of patients using an interferon gamma release assay (cutoff 0.15 IU/mL, sensitivity 92%, and specificity 100%). Results. Seroconversion was significantly more impaired in SARS-CoV-2-naive KTRs than in those previously infected (40.1% versus 97.1%; P < 0.001). Mycophenolate use (odds ratio, 0.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.24; P < 0.001) and depleting therapy in the past year (odds ratio, 0.19; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.8; P = 0.023) were found to be among independent factors associated with impaired humoral response. Similarly, the interferon gamma release assay tested in 50 KTRs (cutoff 0.15 IU/mL, sensitivity 92%, specificity 100%) showed that specific T-cell responses against spike protein epitopes are impaired in SARS-CoV-2-naive KTRs, as compared to previously infected KTRs (9.4% versus 90%, P < 0.001). All 35 KTRs vaccinated on the waiting list before transplantation exhibited sustained seroconversion persisting after transplantation. Conclusions. Survivors of coronavirus disease 2019 and those vaccinated while on the waiting list exhibited a marked immune response to mRNA vaccines, contrary to poor response in naive KTRs vaccinated after transplantation (NCT04832841).

Automated summary

The immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is impaired in kidney transplant recipients, especially in those who are SARS-CoV-2-naive. Factors such as mycophenolate use and prior depleting therapy contribute to the impaired humoral response. Survivors of COVID-19 and those vaccinated on the waiting list prior to transplantation exhibit a robust immune response to mRNA vaccines.