In:
Transplantation, Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health), Vol. 105, No. 10 ( 2021-10), p. 2156-2164
Abstract:
The ability of transplant (Tx) patients to generate a protective antiviral response under immunosuppression is pivotal in COVID-19 infection. However, analysis of immunity against SARS-CoV-2 is currently lacking. Methods. Here, we analyzed T cell immunity directed against SARS-CoV-2 spike-, membrane-, and nucleocapsid-protein by flow cytometry and spike-specific neutralizing antibodies in 10 Tx in comparison to 26 nonimmunosuppressed (non-Tx) COVID-19 patients. Results. Tx patients (7 renal, 1 lung, and 2 combined pancreas-kidney Txs) were recruited in this study during the acute phase of COVID-19 with a median time after SARS-CoV-2-positivity of 3 and 4 d for non-Tx and Tx patients, respectively. Despite immunosuppression, we detected antiviral CD4 + T cell-response in 90% of Tx patients. SARS-CoV-2–reactive CD4 + T cells produced multiple proinflammatory cytokines, indicating their potential protective capacity. Neutralizing antibody titers did not differ between groups. SARS-CoV-2–reactive CD8 + T cells targeting membrane- and spike-protein were lower in Tx patients, albeit without statistical significance. However, frequencies of anti-nucleocapsid–protein-reactive, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 polyfunctional CD8 + T cells, were similar between patient cohorts. Tx patients showed features of a prematurely aged adaptive immune system, but equal frequencies of SARS-CoV-2–reactive memory T cells. Conclusions. In conclusion, a polyfunctional T cell immunity directed against SARS-CoV-2 proteins as well as neutralizing antibodies can be generated in Tx patients despite immunosuppression. In comparison to nonimmunosuppressed patients, no differences in humoral and cellular antiviral-immunity were found. Our data presenting the ability to generate SARS-CoV-2–specific immunity in immunosuppressed patients have implications for the handling of SARS-CoV-2–infected Tx patients and raise hopes for effective vaccination in this cohort.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0041-1337
DOI:
10.1097/TP.0000000000003755
Language:
English
Publisher:
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2035395-9
