MMF/MPA Is the Main Mediator of a Delayed Humoral Response With Reduced Antibody Decline in Kidney Transplant Recipients After SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination

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Abstract

Kidney transplant recipients (KTR) show significantly lower seroconversion rates after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination compared to dialysis patients (DP). Mycophenolate mofetil or mycophenolic acid (MMF/MPA) in particular has been identified as a risk factor for seroconversion failure. While the majority of all KTR worldwide receive MMF/MPA for immunosuppressive therapy, its impact on antibody decline in seroconverted KTR still remains unclear. In an observational study (NCT04799808), we investigated whether 132 seroconverted KTR (anti-spike S1 IgG or IgA positive after 2 vaccinations) show a more rapid antibody decline with MMF/MPA than those without this medication. A total of 2 months after mRNA vaccination, average anti-spike S1 IgG levels of KTR with MMF/MPA were lower than without (p = 0.001), while no differences between these two groups were observed after 6 months (p = 0.366). Similar results were obtained for anti-RBD IgG antibodies (T2 p = 0.003 and T3 p = 0.135). The probability of severe IgG decline with MMF/MPA was three times lower than without (p = 0.003, OR 0.236, 95% CI 0.091–0.609). In the multivariate analysis, neither immunosuppressants, such as calcineurin inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors (mTOR-I; mechanistic target of rapamycin), glucocorticoids, nor vaccine type, sex, or age showed a significant influence on IgG titer decline between 2 and 6 months. For the decision on additional booster vaccinations, we consider immunosurveillance to be needed as an integral part of renal transplant follow-up after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. Not only the lack of seroconversion but also the peak and titer decline of the specific IgG and RBD IgG antibody formation after two mRNA vaccinations is significantly influenced by MMF/MPA.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number928542
Number of pages8
JournalFrontiers in medicine
Volume9
Publication statusPublished - 7 Jul 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85134508565
PubMed 35872777
WOS 000831587100001
Mendeley 4a2dc6b8-4887-3c46-b574-9eaedb498145
unpaywall 10.3389/fmed.2022.928542
ORCID /0000-0003-2739-345X/work/142239604

Keywords

Research priority areas of TU Dresden

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • SARS-CoV-2, clinical decision making, guidelines, humoral response, kidney transplant recipients, mycophenolic acid, vaccination

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