News Release

Details behind kidney transplant recipients’ immune response to the virus that causes COVID-19

Recipients mount a slower IgG antibody response following infection.

Peer-Reviewed Publication

American Society of Nephrology

Highlights

  • A recent study examined the spectrum of antibody responses—including IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies—in kidney transplant recipients infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.
  • The antibody response to infection is delayed but preserved in kidney transplant recipients.

Washington, DC (October 1, 2021) — New research provides insights on the immune responses of kidney transplant recipients following infection with the virus that causes COVID-19. The study, which is published in JASN, may help explain why these individuals face a higher risk of dying from COVID-19 than others in the general population.

Recent reports have generated conflicting results concerning whether kidney transplant recipients, who must take immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection of their transplant, mount strong immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 after becoming infected with the virus or receiving COVID-19 vaccines.

Now a team led by Jonathan Maltzman, MD, PhD (Stanford University School of Medicine) has examined the dynamics of the immune response of these individuals after natural infection with SARS-CoV-2. Such an immune response involves different antibody types, including IgG, IgM, and IgA.

This multicenter study involving investigators from Mount Sinai, Montefiore, Emory, and Cincinnati, in addition to Stanford, included 49 kidney transplant recipients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Production of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was delayed, but IgM and IgA responses were similar to those observed in individuals who had not received a transplant.

The findings indicate that the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection is delayed but preserved in kidney transplant recipients. “Almost all kidney transplant recipients infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 generate immune responses,” said Dr. Maltzman. “But some aspects of the response are patients with kidney transplants have a slower immune response to infection and make slightly different types of antibodies.”

The findings likely extend to other people on chronic immunosuppression and may be useful for devising strategies to boost these individuals’ immune responses following vaccination.  

Study co-authors include Paolo Cravedi, MD-PhD, Patrick Ahearn, MD, Lin Wang, PhD, Tanuja Yalamarti, MD, Susan Hartzell, BS, Yorg Azzi, MD, Madhav C. Menon, MD, Aditya Jain, MD, Marzuq Billah, MD, Marcelo Fernandez-Vina, PhD, Howard M Gebel, PhD, E. Steve Woodle, MD, Natalie S. Haddad, Andrea Morrison-Porter, F. Eun-Hyung Lee, MD, Ignacio Sanz, MD, Enver Akalin, MD, and Alin Girnita, MD, PhD.

Disclosures: JSM has received honoraria from One Lambda, Inc., is a member of the Qihan Biotech SAB, and has a family member who is employed by and has an equity interest in Genentech/Roche. FEL is the founder of Micro-plex, Inc and receives grants from BMGF and Genentech.

The article, titled “Delayed kinetics of IgG, but not IgA anti-Spike antibodies in transplant recipients following SARS-CoV-2 infection,” will appear online at http://jasn.asnjournals.org/ on October 1, 2021.

The content of this article does not reflect the views or opinions of The American Society of Nephrology (ASN). Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies entirely with the authors. ASN does not offer medical advice. All content in ASN publications is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This content should not be used during a medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider if you have any questions about a medical condition, or before taking any drug, changing your diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. Do not ignore or delay obtaining professional medical advice because of information accessed through ASN. Call 911 or your doctor for all medical emergencies.

Since 1966, ASN has been leading the fight to prevent, treat, and cure kidney diseases throughout the world by educating health professionals and scientists, advancing research and innovation, communicating new knowledge, and advocating for the highest quality care for patients. ASN has more than 21,000 members representing 131 countries. For more information, visit www.asn-online.org.

 

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