Rejection and vaccination in lung transplant recipients

This thesis addresses two pivotal issues in lung transplant recipients (LTRs): the detection of biomarkers for acute rejection (AR) and an investigation into the immunogenicity of the mRNA-1273 vaccine. Acute rejection is a significant risk following lung transplantation, prompting our focus into identifying biomarkers at both genetic and cellular levels. The study specifically focuses on T and B cell subsets associated with AR across longitudinal time points, utilizing Nanostring technology to analyze genetic expression and explore genes linked to cells and chemokines related to AR.

Given the heightened susceptibility of LTRs to SARS-CoV-2 due to immunosuppressive treatments, our primary objective is to investigate the immunogenicity of the mRNA-1273 vaccine in conferring immunity against SARS-CoV-2 infection in this population. The study focus on humoral and cellular responses within LTRs compared to patients on the transplantation waiting list and control subjects. A sub-analysis is conducted on patients with a history of infection before vaccination. Additionally, an in-depth examination of T cell responses related to antibody responders enhances our understanding of the intricate interplay between humoral and cellular responses.
Altogether, these identified biomarker studies can help assess the status of immunosuppression, and may serve as valuable indicators in optimizing vaccination approaches for LTRs.