scholarly journals Impaired humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine in kidney transplant recipients and dialysis patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (60) ◽  
pp. eabj1031
Author(s):  
Hector Rincon-Arevalo ◽  
Mira Choi ◽  
Ana-Luisa Stefanski ◽  
Fabian Halleck ◽  
Ulrike Weber ◽  
...  

Patients with kidney failure are at increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection making effective vaccinations a critical need. It is not known how well mRNA vaccines induce B and plasma cell responses in dialysis patients (DP) or kidney transplant recipients (KTR) compared to healthy controls (HC). We studied humoral and B cell responses of 35 HC, 44 DP and 40 KTR. Markedly impaired anti-BNT162b2 responses were identified among KTR and DP compared to HC. In DP, the response was delayed (3-4 weeks after boost) and reduced with anti-S1 IgG and IgA positivity in 70.5% and 68.2%, respectively. In contrast, KTR did not develop IgG responses except one patient who had a prior unrecognized infection and developed anti-S1 IgG. The majority of antigen-specific B cells (RBD+) were identified in the plasmablast or post-switch memory B cell compartments in HC, whereas RBD+ B cells were enriched among pre-switch and naïve B cells from DP and KTR. The frequency and absolute number of antigen-specific circulating plasmablasts in the cohort correlated with the Ig response, a characteristic not reported for other vaccinations. In conclusion, these data indicated that immunosuppression resulted in impaired protective immunity after mRNA vaccination, including Ig induction with corresponding generation of plasmablasts and memory B cells. Thus, there is an urgent need to improve vaccination protocols in patients after kidney transplantation or on chronic dialysis.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector Rincon-Arevalo ◽  
Mira Choi ◽  
Ana-Luisa Stefanski ◽  
Fabian Halleck ◽  
Ulrike Weber ◽  
...  

Patients with kidney failure are at increased risk during the COVID-19 pandemic and effective vaccinations are needed. It is not known how efficient mRNA vaccines mount B and plasma cell responses in dialysis patients (DP) or kidney transplant recipients (KTR) compared to healthy controls (HC). We studied humoral and B cell responses of 25 HC, 44 DP and 40 KTR. Markedly impaired anti-BNT162b2 responses were identified among KTR and DP compared to 100% seroconversion in HC. In DP, the response was delayed (3-4 weeks after boost) and reduced with anti-S1 IgG positivity in 31 (70.5%) and anti-S1 IgA in 30 (68.2%) of 44, respectively. In contrast, KTR did not develop IgG response except one patient who had prior unrecognized infection and developed anti-S1 IgG. The majority of antigen-specific B cells (RBD+) were identified in the plasmablast or post-switch memory B cell compartments in HC, whereas these RBD+ B cells were enriched among pre-switch and naive B cells from DP and KTR. Single cell transcriptome and CITE-seq analyses found reduced frequencies of plasmablasts, TCF7+CD27+GZMK+ T cells and proliferating MKI67-expressing lymphocytes among KTR non-responders. Importantly, the frequency and absolute number of antigen-specific circulating plasmablasts in the whole cohort correlated with the Ig response, a characteristic not reported for other vaccinations. In conclusion, this data indicate that lack of T cell help related to immunosuppression results in impaired germinal center differentiation of B and plasma cell memory. There is an urgent need to improve vaccination protocols in patients after kidney transplantation or on chronic dialysis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yamei Li ◽  
Yunying Shi ◽  
Tao Lin ◽  
Xianding Wang ◽  
Lin Yan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Aims With the application of B-cell-depleting agent rituximab, plasmapheresis and powerful immunosuppression, ABO-incompatible kidney transplant recipients (ABOi-KT) have successfully overcome the ABO antibody barrier. As an important immune cell population, B cells are not only involved in antibody-mediated rejection, but also have been reported to have different immunoregulatory effects due to the existence of distinct B cell subsets. Therefore, comprehensively understanding the reconstitution of B-cell subsets in ABOi-KTRs is crucial to know the immune status that may be related to the subsequent complications. Method Fresh whole blood were collected from 22 ABOi-KTRs and 22 ABO-compatible recipients (ABOc-KTRs) at 0, 1week, 2 weeks ,1month, 3months, and 6 months post-transplantation between October 2018 and May 2019. In addition, pre-desensitization samples were also collected from ABOi-KTRs. B cell subsets including total, naïve, memory, plasma, plasma blast and regulatory B cells were determined by flow cytometry. Results The percentages of B cells in ABOi group remained extremely low and significantly lower than ABOc group through the first 6 months after rituximab treatment (Fig. A). Similar trends were observed in total memory and switched memory B cells whose frequencies increased within first 2 weeks, then decreased thereafter. Meanwhile, the significant differences between ABOi and ABOc groups disappeared at 6 months (Fig. B-D). In addition, plasma and plasma blast B cells increased 2 weeks after transplantation and were significantly higher in ABOi group compared to ABOc group (Fig. E, G), while Naïve B cells started to elevate 1 month after transplantation in ABOi-KTRs and significantly higher proportions were found in ABOc group through the entire 6 months (Fig. F). No obvious difference was observed between ABOi and ABOc groups regarding unswitched memory and regulatory B cell percentages (Fig. C, H). Conclusion Our preliminary results indicated that B-cell depletion therapy applied in ABOi-KTRs not only significantly reduced the number of B cells, but also changed the composition of B cell subsets in the remaining B cell population. Whether such alteration would be clinical significance requires further follow-up.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1102
Author(s):  
Angelica Rodriguez-Niño ◽  
Diego O. Pastene ◽  
Adrian Post ◽  
M. Yusof Said ◽  
Antonio W. Gomes-Neto ◽  
...  

Carnosine affords protection against oxidative and carbonyl stress, yet high concentrations of the carnosinase-1 enzyme may limit this. We recently reported that high urinary carnosinase-1 is associated with kidney function decline and albuminuria in patients with chronic kidney disease. We prospectively investigated whether urinary carnosinase-1 is associated with a high risk for development of late graft failure in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Carnosine and carnosinase-1 were measured in 24 h urine in a longitudinal cohort of 703 stable KTRs and 257 healthy controls. Cox regression was used to analyze the prospective data. Urinary carnosine excretions were significantly decreased in KTRs (26.5 [IQR 21.4–33.3] µmol/24 h versus 34.8 [IQR 25.6–46.8] µmol/24 h; p < 0.001). In KTRs, high urinary carnosinase-1 concentrations were associated with increased risk of undetectable urinary carnosine (OR 1.24, 95%CI [1.06–1.45]; p = 0.007). During median follow-up for 5.3 [4.5–6.0] years, 84 (12%) KTRs developed graft failure. In Cox regression analyses, high urinary carnosinase-1 excretions were associated with increased risk of graft failure (HR 1.73, 95%CI [1.44–2.08]; p < 0.001) independent of potential confounders. Since urinary carnosine is depleted and urinary carnosinase-1 imparts a higher risk for graft failure in KTRs, future studies determining the potential of carnosine supplementation in these patients are warranted.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (13) ◽  
pp. 2854
Author(s):  
Fernanda Rodrigues ◽  
J. Swarte ◽  
Rianne Douwes ◽  
Tim Knobbe ◽  
Camilo Sotomayor ◽  
...  

Background: Diarrhea is common among kidney transplant recipients (KTR). Exhaled hydrogen (H2) is a surrogate marker of small bowel dysbiosis, which may drive diarrhea. We studied the relationship between exhaled H2 and diarrhea in KTR, and explored potential clinical and dietary determinants. Methods: Clinical, laboratory, and dietary data were analyzed from 424 KTR participating in the TransplantLines Biobank and Cohort Study (NCT03272841). Fasting exhaled H2 concentration was measured using a model DP Quintron Gas Chromatograph. Diarrhea was defined as fast transit time (types 6 and 7 according to the Bristol Stool Form Scale, BSFS) of 3 or more episodes per day. We studied the association between exhaled H2 and diarrhea with multivariable logistic regression analysis, and explored potential determinants using linear regression. Results: KTR (55.4 ± 13.2 years, 60.8% male, mean eGFR 49.8 ± 19.1 mL/min/1.73 m2) had a median exhaled H2 of 11 (5.0–25.0) ppm. Signs of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (exhaled H2 ≥ 20 ppm) were present in 31.6% of the KTR, and 33.0% had diarrhea. Exhaled H2 was associated with an increased risk of diarrhea (odds ratio 1.51, 95% confidence interval 1.07–2.14 per log2 ppm, p = 0.02). Polysaccharide intake was independently associated with higher H2 (std. β 0.24, p = 0.01), and a trend for an association with proton-pump inhibitor use was observed (std. β 0.16 p = 0.05). Conclusion: Higher exhaled H2 is associated with an increased risk of diarrhea in KTR. Our findings set the stage for further studies investigating the relationship between dietary factors, small bowel dysbiosis, and diarrhea after kidney transplantation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asuka Tanaka ◽  
Kentaro Ide ◽  
Yuka Tanaka ◽  
Masahiro Ohira ◽  
Hiroyuki Tahara ◽  
...  

AbstractPretransplant desensitization with rituximab has been applied to preformed donor-specific anti-human leukocyte antigen antibody (DSA)-positive recipients for elimination of preformed DSA. We investigated the impact of pretransplant desensitization with rituximab on anti-donor T cell responses in DSA-positive transplant recipients. To monitor the patients’ immune status, mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assays were performed before and after desensitization with rituximab. Two weeks after rituximab administration, the stimulation index (SI) of anti-donor CD4+ T cells was significantly higher in the DSA-positive recipients than in the DSA-negative recipients. To investigate the mechanisms of anti-donor hyper responses of CD4+ T cells after B cell depletion, highly sensitized mice models were injected with anti-CD20 mAb to eliminate B cells. Consistent with clinical observations, the SI values of anti-donor CD4+ T cells were significantly increased after anti-CD20 mAb injection in the sensitized mice models. Adding B cells isolated from untreated sensitized mice to MLR significantly inhibited the enhancement of anti-donor CD4+ T cell response. The depletion of the CD5+ B cell subset, which exclusively included IL-10-positive cells, from the additive B cells abrogated such inhibitory effects. These findings demonstrate that IL-10+ CD5+ B cells suppress the excessive response of anti-donor CD4+ T cells responses in sensitized recipients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. 1009-1013
Author(s):  
Eriawan Agung Nugroho ◽  
Erwin Wibowo ◽  
Prathita Amanda Aryani

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a rising health concern worldwide, especially in Indonesia. The treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease is Kidney Transplantation.1 Numerous studies showed that prolonged total ischemic ischemic time may cause hypoxia of the graft tissue and increased risk of ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI) and delayed graft function (DGF).2 Body mass index of kidney transplant recipients may cause prolonged duration of the procedure, as well as prolonged total ischemic time. This study aimed to determine the correlation between prolonged total ischemic time with body mass index. Method: This was an observational and cross-sectional analysis at Kariadi General Hospital Semarang involving patients who underwent kidney transplantation from January 2016 to December 2019. The total ischemic time was recorded intraoperatively. The Body Mass Index data were provided by medical records. The program used to statistically analyze the data was SPSS 23.0, and Spearman was used for hypothesis testing. Result: This study included 25 kidney transplant recipients. The mean total ischemic time was 43,27 ± 6,63 minutes. There was a significant positive correlation between prolonged ischemic time and body mass index (r= 0,506 ; p= 0,010). Conclusion: Prolonged total ischemic time was positively correlated with increased body mass index and these results are statistically significant.


2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 343-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ngan N. Lam ◽  
Amit X. Garg ◽  
Greg A. Knoll ◽  
S. Joseph Kim ◽  
Krista L. Lentine ◽  
...  

Background: The implications of venous thromboembolism (VTE) for morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients are not well described. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using linked healthcare databases in Ontario, Canada to determine the risk and complications of VTE in kidney transplant recipients from 2003 to 2013. We compared the incidence rate of VTE in recipients (n = 4,343) and a matched (1:4) sample of the general population (n = 17,372). For recipients with evidence of a VTE posttransplant, we compared adverse clinical outcomes (death, graft loss) to matched (1:2) recipients without evidence of a VTE posttransplant. Results: During a median follow-up of 5.2 years, 388 (8.9%) recipients developed a VTE compared to 254 (1.5%) in the matched general population (16.3 vs. 2.4 events per 1,000 person-years; hazard ratio [HR] 7.1, 95% CI 6.0-8.4; p < 0.0001). Recipients who experienced a posttransplant VTE had a higher risk of death (28.5 vs. 11.2%; HR 4.1, 95% CI 2.9-5.8; p < 0.0001) and death-censored graft loss (13.1 vs. 7.5%; HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4-3.6; p = 0.0006) compared to matched recipients who did not experience a posttransplant VTE. Conclusions: Kidney transplant recipients have a sevenfold higher risk of VTE compared to the general population with VTE conferring an increased risk of death and graft loss.


Author(s):  
Sai Sindhu Thangaraj ◽  
Helle Charlotte Thiesson ◽  
Per Svenningsen ◽  
Jane Stubbe ◽  
Yaseelan Palarasah ◽  
...  

Kidney transplantation is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity. Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) mediates kidney injury. Aldosterone promotes T-helper-17 (Th-17) lymphocyte differentiation and IL-17A production through the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). In this exploratory, post-hoc substudy, it was hypothesized that 1-year intervention with the MR antagonist spironolactone lowers IL-17A and related cytokines and reduces epithelial injury in kidney transplant recipients. Plasma and urine samples were obtained from kidney transplant recipients from a double-blind randomized clinical trial testing spironolactone (n=39) versus placebo (n=41). Plasma concentrations of cytokines IFN-γ, IL-17A, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-10 were determined before and after 1-year treatment. Urine calbindin, clusterin, KIM-1, osteoactivin, TFF3, and VEGF/creatinine ratios were analyzed. Blood pressure and plasma aldosterone concentration at inclusion did not relate to plasma cytokines and injury markers. None of the cytokines changed in plasma after spironolactone intervention. Plasma IL-17A increased in the placebo group. Spironolactone induced an increase in plasma K+ (0.4 ± 0.4 mmol/L). This increase did not correlate with plasma IL-17A or urine calbindin and TFF3 changes. Ongoing treatment at inclusion with angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor and/or angiotensin II receptor blockers was not associated with changed levels of IL-17A and injury markers and had no effect on the response to spironolactone. Urinary calbindin and TFF3 decreased in the spironolactone group with no difference in between-group analyses. In conclusion, irrespective of ongoing ANGII inhibition, spironolactone has no effect on plasma IL-17A and related cytokines or urinary injury markers in kidney transplant recipients.


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