Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO948

Senescent Lymphocyte Subsets Exhibit an Unexpected Advantageous Effect in the Response Against SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Dialysis Patients

Session Information

• COVID-19: Vaccines and Outcomes ESRD/KTR
  November 03, 2022 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Orange County Convention Center‚ West Building
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• 000 Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Authors

• Lioulios, Georgios, Geniko Nosokomeio Thessalonikes Ippokrateio, Thessaloniki, Greece

Georgios Lioulios,

• Fylaktou, Asimina, Geniko Nosokomeio Thessalonikes Ippokrateio, Thessaloniki, Greece

Asimina Fylaktou,

• Tsouchnikas, Ioannis, Geniko Nosokomeio Thessalonikes Ippokrateio, Thessaloniki, Greece

Ioannis Tsouchnikas,

• Giamalis, Panagiotis, Geniko Nosokomeio Thessalonikes Ippokrateio, Thessaloniki, Greece

Panagiotis Giamalis,

• Xochelli, Aliki, Geniko Nosokomeio Thessalonikes Ippokrateio, Thessaloniki, Greece

Aliki Xochelli,

• Christodoulou, Michalis, Geniko Nosokomeio Thessalonikes Ippokrateio, Thessaloniki, Greece

Michalis Christodoulou,

• Papagianni, Aikaterini A., Geniko Nosokomeio Thessalonikes Ippokrateio, Thessaloniki, Greece

Aikaterini A. Papagianni,

• Stangou, Maria J., Geniko Nosokomeio Thessalonikes Ippokrateio, Thessaloniki, Greece

Maria J. Stangou,

Background

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is a potent preventive tool against Covid-19. However, response to vaccination vary depending on comorbidities. This study evaluates clinical and immunological factors affecting humoral response of End-Stage Renal Disease(ESRD) patients to BNT162b2 Vaccine.

Methods

Humoral immunity was evaluated in 54 ESRD patients, by serum levels of anti-receptor-binding-domain (RBD) and neutralizing antibodies (Nab), measured by CLIA, 30 (T1), 60 (T2) and 120 (T3) days, after the second vaccine dose. Results were correlated to baseline patients’ T and B-lymphocyte subpopulations as determined by flow cytometry.

Results

Proportion of seroconverted patients based on Nab titer was diminished from 83.3%(Τ1) to 53.7%(Τ3), in three months. Age was negatively correlated to Nab at T1 and T2 (Τ1:R=-0.334, p=0.027, Τ2:R=-0.344, p=0.022). Patients on hemodiafiltration had higher Nab titers at T3. Presence of diabetes was associated with lower response rate, as 9/11 diabetics compared to 16/43 non-diabetics lost seroconversion at T3.

Univariate analysis revealed a strong positive correlation of naïve CD4 T-lymphocyte population with RBD at T1(R²=0.199, p=0.015) and with Nab titer at T3(R²=0.645, p<0.001), while no association was shown with naïve CD8 T-lymphocytes. Nab titers at T3 were significantly correlated with late differentiated CD4 T-lymphocytes(R²=0.56, p<0.001) and EMRA CD8 T-lymphocytes(R²=0.156, p=0.017). Finally, RBD levels had a significant positive correlation with naïve, and negative with memory B-lymphocyte count at T3(R²=0.147, p=0.031, R²=0.159, p=0.039, respectively).

Conclusion

Age, diabetes mellitus and hemodialysis prescription have a strong impact to response to vaccination. T and B-lymphocytes phenotype are major determinants of humoral response potency to COVID vaccination with BNT162b2, in ESRD patients.