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Fierabracci A, Belcastro E, Carbone E, Pagliarosi O, Palma A, Pacillo L, Giancotta C, Zangari P, Finocchi A, Cancrini C, Delfino DV, Cappa M, Betterle C. In Search for the Missing Link in APECED-like Conditions: Analysis of the AIRE Gene in a Series of 48 Patients. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11113242. [PMID: 35683627 PMCID: PMC9181695 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11113242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders of the immune system. They can cluster in the same individual, revealing various preferential associations for polyendocrine autoimmune syndromes. Clinical observation, together with advances in genetics and the understanding of pathophysiological processes, has further highlighted that autoimmunity can be associated with immunodeficiency; autoimmunity may even be the first primary immunodeficiency manifestation. Analysis of susceptibility genes for the development of these complex phenotypes is a fundamental issue. In this manuscript, we revised the clinical and immunologic features and the presence of AIRE gene variations in a cohort of 48 patients affected by high polyautoimmunity complexity, i.e., APECED-like conditions, also including patients affected by primary immunodeficiency. Our results evidenced a significant association of the S278R polymorphism of the AIRE gene with APECED-like conditions, including both patients affected by autoimmunity and immunodeficiency and patients with polyautoimmunity compared to healthy controls. A trend of association was also observed with the IVS9+6 G>A polymorphism. The results of this genetic analysis emphasize the need to look for additional genetic determinants playing in concert with AIRE polymorphisms. This will help to improve the diagnostic workup and ensure a precision medicine approach to targeted therapies in APECED-like patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Fierabracci
- Infectivology and Clinical Trials Research Department, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS), 00146 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (E.C.); (O.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-6859-2656
| | - Eugenia Belcastro
- Infectivology and Clinical Trials Research Department, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS), 00146 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (E.C.); (O.P.)
| | - Elena Carbone
- Infectivology and Clinical Trials Research Department, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS), 00146 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (E.C.); (O.P.)
| | - Olivia Pagliarosi
- Infectivology and Clinical Trials Research Department, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS), 00146 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (E.C.); (O.P.)
| | - Alessia Palma
- Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy;
| | - Lucia Pacillo
- Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Immune and Infectious Diseases Division, Research Unit of Primary Immunodeficiencies, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (L.P.); (A.F.); (C.C.)
- PhD Program in Immunology, Molecular Medicine and Applied Biotechnology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Carmela Giancotta
- Immunology and Vaccinology, DPUO, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (C.G.); (P.Z.)
| | - Paola Zangari
- Immunology and Vaccinology, DPUO, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (C.G.); (P.Z.)
| | - Andrea Finocchi
- Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Immune and Infectious Diseases Division, Research Unit of Primary Immunodeficiencies, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (L.P.); (A.F.); (C.C.)
- Chair of Pediatrics, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Cancrini
- Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Immune and Infectious Diseases Division, Research Unit of Primary Immunodeficiencies, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (L.P.); (A.F.); (C.C.)
- Chair of Pediatrics, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marco Cappa
- Endocrinology Unit, DPUO, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy;
| | - Corrado Betterle
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy;
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Perniola R, Fierabracci A, Falorni A. Autoimmune Addison's Disease as Part of the Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome Type 1: Historical Overview and Current Evidence. Front Immunol 2021; 12:606860. [PMID: 33717087 PMCID: PMC7953157 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.606860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 (APS1) is caused by pathogenic variants of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene, located in the chromosomal region 21q22.3. The related protein, AIRE, enhances thymic self-representation and immune self-tolerance by localization to chromatin and anchorage to multimolecular complexes involved in the initiation and post-initiation events of tissue-specific antigen-encoding gene transcription. Once synthesized, the self-antigens are presented to, and cause deletion of, the self-reactive thymocyte clones. The clinical diagnosis of APS1 is based on the classic triad idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (HPT)—chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis—autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD), though new criteria based on early non-endocrine manifestations have been proposed. HPT is in most cases the first endocrine component of the syndrome; however, APS1-associated AAD has received the most accurate biochemical, clinical, and immunological characterization. Here is a comprehensive review of the studies on APS1-associated AAD from initial case reports to the most recent scientific findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Perniola
- Department of Pediatrics-Neonatal Intensive Care, V. Fazzi Hospital, ASL LE, Lecce, Italy
| | - Alessandra Fierabracci
- Infectivology and Clinical Trials Research Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Falorni
- Section of Internal Medicine and Endocrinological and Metabolic Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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Conteduca G, Indiveri F, Filaci G, Negrini S. Beyond APECED: An update on the role of the autoimmune regulator gene (AIRE) in physiology and disease. Autoimmun Rev 2018; 17:325-330. [PMID: 29427825 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2017.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The autoimmune regulator gene (AIRE) is a transcription factor expressed both in the thymus, by medullary thymic epithelial cells, and in secondary lymphoid organs. AIRE controls the local transcription of organ- specific proteins typically expressed in peripheral tissues, thus allowing the negative selection of self- reactive T cells. The crucial role played by AIRE in central immune tolerance emerged in the studies on the pathogenesis of Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy-Candidiasis-Ectodermal Dystrophy, a rare inherited polyendocrine/autoimmune disease. Thereafter, several studies found evidences indicating that AIRE impairment might be pathogenically involved in several autoimmune diseases and in tumorigenesis. In this review, we focus on recent advances relative to AIRE's effect on T cell development in physiology and disease. In particular, we address the following issues: 1) AIRE function and mTECs biology, 2) the impact of AIRE gene mutations in autoimmune diseases, and 3) the role of AIRE gene in anti-tumor immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Conteduca
- Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliquée (GIGA)-I3, Laboratory of Hematology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Francesco Indiveri
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Immunology Unit, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gilberto Filaci
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Immunology Unit, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Simone Negrini
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Immunology Unit, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Abstract
About two decades ago, cloning of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene materialized one of the most important actors on the scene of self-tolerance. Thymic transcription of genes encoding tissue-specific antigens (ts-ags) is activated by AIRE protein and embodies the essence of thymic self-representation. Pathogenic AIRE variants cause the autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1, which is a rare and complex disease that is gaining attention in research on autoimmunity. The animal models of disease, although not identically reproducing the human picture, supply fundamental information on mechanisms and extent of AIRE action: thanks to its multidomain structure, AIRE localizes to chromatin enclosing the target genes, binds to histones, and offers an anchorage to multimolecular complexes involved in initiation and post-initiation events of gene transcription. In addition, AIRE enhances mRNA diversity by favoring alternative mRNA splicing. Once synthesized, ts-ags are presented to, and cause deletion of the self-reactive thymocyte clones. However, AIRE function is not restricted to the activation of gene transcription. AIRE would control presentation and transfer of self-antigens for thymic cellular interplay: such mechanism is aimed at increasing the likelihood of engagement of the thymocytes that carry the corresponding T-cell receptors. Another fundamental role of AIRE in promoting self-tolerance is related to the development of thymocyte anergy, as thymic self-representation shapes at the same time the repertoire of regulatory T cells. Finally, AIRE seems to replicate its action in the secondary lymphoid organs, albeit the cell lineage detaining such property has not been fully characterized. Delineation of AIRE functions adds interesting data to the knowledge of the mechanisms of self-tolerance and introduces exciting perspectives of therapeutic interventions against the related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Perniola
- Department of Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care, Vito Fazzi Regional Hospital, Lecce, Italy
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Abstract
This review aims to address the mechanisms of compromised immune tolerance contributing to the development and maintenance of Alopecia Areata (AA). Our goal is to also highlight future treatment opportunities and therapeutics that will safely and efficiently restore hair growth and maintain patients in remission. AA is a presumptive autoimmune disorder that coincides and genetically clusters to several other autoimmune diseases. In this review, we pay attention to the learnings from the mechanistic research and drug development in these other autoimmune conditions. Interestingly, most of these diseases have been linked to compromised central and peripheral tolerance, and increased intestinal inflammation with enhanced gut permeability. Break of tolerance and priming of the autoreactive T-cells to attack antigenic epitopes in the hair follicle most likely requires several steps which include escape from negative selection and compromised peripheral tolerance. Local skin-related changes are also of importance due to the patchy manifestation of the skin areas with loss of hair, particularly in the early disease. Here, we discuss the defective mechanisms of tolerance, both central and peripheral, and hypothesize that the disease is driven by areas of tolerance break, and that these could be targeted for successful therapeutic interventions.
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Bruserud Ø, Oftedal BE, Wolff AB, Husebye ES. AIRE-mutations and autoimmune disease. Curr Opin Immunol 2016; 43:8-15. [PMID: 27504588 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2016.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The gene causing the severe organ-specific autoimmune disease autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type-1 (APS-1) was identified in 1997 and named autoimmune regulator (AIRE). AIRE plays a key role in shaping central immunological tolerance by facilitating negative selection of T cells in the thymus, building the thymic microarchitecture, and inducing a specific subset of regulatory T cells. So far, about 100 mutations have been identified. Recent advances suggest that certain mutations located in the SAND and PHD1 domains exert a dominant negative effect on wild type AIRE resulting in milder seemingly common forms of autoimmune diseases, including pernicious anemia, vitiligo and autoimmune thyroid disease. These findings indicate that AIRE also contribute to autoimmunity in more common organ-specific autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Øyvind Bruserud
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Bergithe E Oftedal
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Anette B Wolff
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Eystein S Husebye
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway; Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway.
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Bogaert DJA, Dullaers M, Lambrecht BN, Vermaelen KY, De Baere E, Haerynck F. Genes associated with common variable immunodeficiency: one diagnosis to rule them all? J Med Genet 2016; 53:575-90. [PMID: 27250108 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2015-103690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary antibody deficiency characterised by hypogammaglobulinaemia, impaired production of specific antibodies after immunisation and increased susceptibility to infections. CVID shows a considerable phenotypical and genetic heterogeneity. In contrast to many other primary immunodeficiencies, monogenic forms count for only 2-10% of patients with CVID. Genes that have been implicated in monogenic CVID include ICOS, TNFRSF13B (TACI), TNFRSF13C (BAFF-R), TNFSF12 (TWEAK), CD19, CD81, CR2 (CD21), MS4A1 (CD20), TNFRSF7 (CD27), IL21, IL21R, LRBA, CTLA4, PRKCD, PLCG2, NFKB1, NFKB2, PIK3CD, PIK3R1, VAV1, RAC2, BLK, IKZF1 (IKAROS) and IRF2BP2 With the increasing number of disease genes identified in CVID, it has become clear that CVID is an umbrella diagnosis and that many of these genetic defects cause distinct disease entities. Moreover, there is accumulating evidence that at least a subgroup of patients with CVID has a complex rather than a monogenic inheritance. This review aims to discuss current knowledge regarding the molecular genetic basis of CVID with an emphasis on the relationship with the clinical and immunological phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delfien J A Bogaert
- Clinical Immunology Research Lab, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium Department of Pediatric Immunology and Pulmonology, Centre for Primary Immunodeficiency, Jeffrey Modell Diagnosis and Research Centre, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium Laboratory of Immunoregulation, VIB Inflammation Research Center, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Melissa Dullaers
- Clinical Immunology Research Lab, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium Laboratory of Immunoregulation, VIB Inflammation Research Center, Ghent, Belgium Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart N Lambrecht
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, VIB Inflammation Research Center, Ghent, Belgium Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karim Y Vermaelen
- Clinical Immunology Research Lab, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Elfride De Baere
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Filomeen Haerynck
- Clinical Immunology Research Lab, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium Department of Pediatric Immunology and Pulmonology, Centre for Primary Immunodeficiency, Jeffrey Modell Diagnosis and Research Centre, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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De Martino L, Capalbo D, Improda N, Lorello P, Ungaro C, Di Mase R, Cirillo E, Pignata C, Salerno M. Novel Findings into AIRE Genetics and Functioning: Clinical Implications. Front Pediatr 2016; 4:86. [PMID: 27597936 PMCID: PMC4992815 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2016.00086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED), formerly known as autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1, is a paradigm of a monogenic autoimmune disease caused by mutations of a gene, named autoimmune regulator (AIRE). AIRE acts as a transcription regulator that promotes immunological central tolerance by inducing the ectopic thymic expression of many tissue-specific antigens. Although the syndrome is a monogenic disease, it is characterized by a wide variability of the clinical expression with no significant correlation between genotype and phenotype. Indeed, many aspects regarding the exact role of AIRE and APECED pathogenesis still remain unraveled. In the last decades, several studies in APECED and in its mouse experimental counterpart have revealed new insights on how immune system learns self-tolerance. Moreover, novel interesting findings have extended our understanding of AIRE's function and regulation thus improving our knowledge on the pathogenesis of APECED. In this review, we will summarize recent novelties on molecular mechanisms underlying the development of APECED and their clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia De Martino
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University , Naples , Italy
| | | | - Nicola Improda
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University , Naples , Italy
| | - Paola Lorello
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University , Naples , Italy
| | - Carla Ungaro
- Department of Pediatrics, Federico II University , Naples , Italy
| | | | - Emilia Cirillo
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University , Naples , Italy
| | - Claudio Pignata
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University , Naples , Italy
| | - Mariacarolina Salerno
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University , Naples , Italy
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Hou H, Wang JZ, Liu BG, Zhang T. Pin1 liberates the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1): Must we stop it? Gene 2015; 565:9-14. [PMID: 25913034 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.04.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2014] [Revised: 03/07/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is mainly caused by the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1). To our knowledge, this is the first review focusing on the vital role of Pin1 in the infection of HIV-1 and the development of AIDS. We and others have demonstrated that Pin1, the only known cis-to-trans isomerase recognizing the pThr/pSer-Pro motifs in proteins, plays striking roles in several human diseases. Interestingly, recent evidence gradually indicates that Pin1 regulates several key steps of the life cycle of HIV-1, including the uncoating of the HIV-1 core, the reverse transcription of the RNA genome of HIV-1, and the integration of the HIV-1 cDNA into human chromosomes. Whereas inhibiting Pin1 suppresses all of these key steps and attenuates the replication of HIV-1, at the same time different PIN1 gene variants are correlated with the susceptibility to HIV-1 infection. Furthermore, Pin1 potentially promotes HIV-1 infection by activating multiple oncogenes and inactivating multiple tumor suppressors, extending the life span of HIV-infected cells. These descriptions suggest Pin1 as a promising therapeutic target for the prevention of HIV-1 and highlight the possibility of blocking the development of AIDS by Pin1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Hou
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Jing-Zhang Wang
- Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056002, Hebei, PR China.
| | - Bao-Guo Liu
- Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056002, Hebei, PR China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056002, Hebei, PR China
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