Tertiary lymphoid neogenesis is a component of pulmonary lymphoid hyperplasia in patients with common variable immunodeficiency

Common and Uncommon CT Findings in CVID-Related GL-ILD: Correlations with Clinical Parameters, Therapeutic Decisions and Potential Implications in the Differential Diagnosis

PURPOSE

To investigate computed tomography (CT) findings of Granulomatous Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease (GL-ILD) in Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID), also in comparison with non-GL-ILD abnormalities, correlating GL-ILD features with functional/immunological parameters and looking for GL-ILD therapy predictive elements.

METHODS

CT features of 38 GL-ILD and 38 matched non-GL-ILD subjects were retrospectively described. Correlations of GL-ILD features with functional/immunological features were assessed. A logistic regression was performed to find a predictive model of GL-ILD therapeutic decisions.

RESULTS

Most common GL-ILD CT findings were bronchiectasis, non-perilymphatic nodules, consolidations, Ground Glass Opacities (GGO), bands and enlarged lymphnodes. GL-ILD was usually predominant in lower fields. Multiple small nodules (≤10 mm), consolidations, reticulations and fibrotic ILD are more indicative of GL-ILD. Bronchiectasis, GGO, Reticulations and fibrotic ILD correlated with decreased lung performance. Bronchiectasis, GGO and fibrotic ILD were associated with low IgA levels, whereas high CD4+ T cells percentage was related to GGO. Twenty out of 38 patients underwent GL-ILD therapy. A model combining Marginal Zone (MZ) B cells percentage, IgA levels, lower field consolidations and lymphnodes enlargement showed a good discriminatory capacity with regards to GL-ILD treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

GL-ILD is a lower field predominant disease, commonly characterized by bronchiectasis, non-perilymphatic small nodules, consolidations, GGO and bands. Multiple small nodules, consolidations, reticulations and fibrotic ILD may suggest the presence of GL-ILD in CVID. MZ B cells percentage, IgA levels at diagnosis, lower field consolidations and mediastinal lymphnodes enlargement may predict the need of a specific GL-ILD therapy.

Treatment of inflammatory complications in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID): current concepts and future perspectives

INTRODUCTION

Patients with Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) have a high frequency of inflammatory complications like autoimmune cytopenias, interstitial lung disease and enteropathy. These patients have poor prognosis and effective, timely and safe treatment of inflammatory complications in CVID are essential, but guidelines and consensus on therapy are often lacking.

AREAS COVERED

This review will focus on current medical treatment of inflammatory complications in CVID and point out some future perspectives based on literature indexed in PubMed. There are a number of good observational studies and case reports on treatment of specific complications but randomized controlled trials are scarce.

EXPERT OPINION

In clinical practice, the most urgent issues that need to be addressed are the preferred treatment of GLILD, enteropathy and liver disease. Treating the underlying immune dysregulation and immune exhaustion in CVID is an alternative approach that potentially could alleviate these and other organ-specific inflammatory complications. Therapies of potential interest and wider use in CVID include mTOR-inhibitors like sirolimus, JAK-inhibitors like tofacitinib, the monoclonal IL-12/23 antibody ustekinumab, the anti-BAFF antibody belimumab and abatacept. For all inflammatory complications, there is a need for prospective therapeutic trials, preferably randomized controlled trials, and multi-center collaborations with larger cohorts of patients will be essential.

Lymphoid stromal cells - potential implications for the pathogenesis of CVID

Non-hematopoietic lymphoid stromal cells (LSC) maintain lymph node architecture and form niches allowing the migration, activation, and survival of immune cells. Depending on their localization in the lymph node, these cells display heterogeneous properties and secrete various factors supporting the different activities of the adaptive immune response. LSCs participate in the transport of antigen from the afferent lymph as well as in its delivery into the T and B cell zones and organize cell migration via niche-specific chemokines. While marginal reticular cells (MRC) are equipped for initial B-cell priming and T zone reticular cells (TRC) provide the matrix for T cell-dendritic cell interactions within the paracortex, germinal centers (GC) only form when both T- and B cells successfully interact at the T-B border and migrate within the B-cell follicle containing the follicular dendritic cell (FDC) network. Unlike most other LSCs, FDCs are capable of presenting antigen via complement receptors to B cells, which then differentiate within this niche and in proximity to T follicular helper (T_FH) cells into memory and plasma cells. LSCs are also implicated in maintenance of peripheral immune tolerance. In mice, TRCs induce the alternative induction of regulatory T cells instead of T_FH cells by presenting tissue-restricted self-antigens to naïve CD4 T cells via MHC-II expression. This review explores potential implications of our current knowledge of LSC populations regarding the pathogenesis of humoral immunodeficiency and autoimmunity in patients with autoimmune disorders or common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), the most common form of primary immunodeficiency in humans.

Lymphocyte alterations in patients with Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) and autoimmune manifestations

INTRODUCTION

Autoimmunity is a common feature in CVID patients. To date the mechanisms leading to the development of such complications are not fully elucidated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from 122 CVID patients subdivided in three groups based on the absence of autoimmunity (n-AI) or the presence of hematologic autoimmune phenomena (Cy-AI) or non-hematologic autoimmune phenomena (n-Cy-AI) were evaluated.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 128 autoimmune manifestations in 55/122 patients (45.1%). 30/122 (24.6%) patients presented hematologic autoimmune phenomena while 29/122 (23.8%) presented gastrointestinal autoimmune involvement. Immune thrombocytopenia was the most common manifestation (27/122; 22.1%), followed by autoimmune hemolytic anemia (18/122; 14.8%) and autoimmune enteropathy (17/122; 13.9%). Cy-AI patients displayed higher CD4⁺ effector memory and terminally differentiated CD8⁺ cells with lower percentages of naïve and recent thymic emigrants (RTEs) CD4⁺ cells and a significant expansion of the CD19^hiCD21^low population.

CONCLUSIONS

CVID patients developing autoimmune cytopenias display characteristic immune phenotypic features.

Pulmonary Manifestations of Primary Humoral Deficiencies

Primary immunodeficiencies are a group of conditions characterized by developmental or functional alterations in the immune system caused by hereditary genetic defects. Primary immunodeficiencies may affect either the innate or the adaptive (humoral and cellular) immune system. Pulmonary complications in primary humoral deficiencies are frequent and varied and are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. The types of complications include bronchiectasis secondary to recurrent respiratory infections and interstitial pulmonary involvement, which can be associated with autoimmune cytopenias, lymphoproliferation, and a range of immunological manifestations. Early detection is key to timely management. Immunoglobulin replacement therapy reduces the severity of disease, the frequency of exacerbations, and hospital admissions in some primary humoral deficiencies. Therefore, the presence of pulmonary disease with concomitant infectious and/or autoimmune complications should raise suspicion of primary humoral deficiencies and warrants a request for immunoglobulin determination in blood. Once diagnosis is confirmed; early immunoglobulin replacement therapy will improve the course of the disease. Further studies are needed to better understand the pathogenesis of pulmonary disease related to primary humoral deficiencies and favor the development of targeted therapies that improve the prognosis of patients.

Rituximab and Abatacept Are Effective in Differential Treatment of Interstitial Lymphocytic Lung Disease in Children With Primary Immunodeficiencies

Background

Interstitial lymphocytic lung disease (ILLD), a recently recognized complication of primary immunodeficiencies (PID), is caused by immune dysregulation, abnormal bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) hyperplasia, with subsequent progressive loss of pulmonary function. Various modes of standard immunosuppressive therapy for ILLD have been shown as only partially effective.

Objectives

To retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of abatacept or rituximab in treatment of ILLD in children with PID.

Methods

29 children (median age 11 years) with various forms of PID received one of the two therapy regimens predominantly based on the lesions’ immunohistopathology: children with prevalent B-cell lung infiltration received rituximab (n = 16), and those with predominantly T-cell infiltration received abatacept (n = 17). Clinical and radiological symptoms were assessed using a severity scale developed for the study.

Results

The targeted therapy with abatacept (A) or rituximab (R) enabled long-term control of clinical (A 3.4 ± 1.3 vs. 0.6 ± 0.1; R 2.8 ± 1 vs. 0.7 ± 0.05, p < 0.01) and radiological (A 18.4 ± 3.1 vs. 6.0 ± 2.0; R 30 ± 7.1 vs. 10 ± 1.7, p < 0.01) symptoms of ILLD in both groups and significantly improved patients’ quality of life, as measured by the total scale (TS) score of 57 ± 2.1 in treatment recipients vs. 31.2 ± 1.9 before therapy (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

ILLD histopathology should be considered when selecting treatment. Abatacept and rituximab are effective and safe in differential treatment of ILLD in children.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Reflects a TH1-CD21low B-Cell Interaction in CVID-Related Interstitial Lung Disease

Background

About 20% of patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) suffer from interstitial lung disease (ILD) as part of a systemic immune dysregulation. Current understanding suggests a role of B cells in the pathogenesis based on histology and increased levels of BAFF and IgM associated with active disease corroborated by several reports which demonstrate the successful use of rituximab in CVID-ILD. It is debated whether histological confirmation by biopsy or even video-assisted thoracoscopy is required and currently not investigated whether less invasive methods like a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) might provide an informative diagnostic tool.

Objective

To gain insight into potential immune mechanisms underlying granulomatous and lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) and to define biomarkers for progressive ILD by characterizing the phenotype of B- and T-cell populations and cytokine profiles in BAL fluid (BALF) of CVID-ILD compared to sarcoidosis patients and healthy donors (HD).

Methods

Sixty-four CVID, six sarcoidosis, and 25 HD BALF samples were analyzed by flow cytometric profiling of B- and T-cells and for cytokines by ELISA and Multiplexing LASER Bead technology.

Results

Both sarcoidosis and CVID-ILD are characterized by a predominantly T-cell mediated lymphocytosis in the BALF. There is an increase in T follicular helper (TFH)-like memory and decrease of regulatory T cells in CVID-ILD BALF. This TFH-like cell subset is clearly skewed toward TH1 cells in CVID-ILD. In contrast to sarcoidosis, CVID-ILD BALF contains a higher percentage of B cells comprising mostly CD21low B cells, but less class-switched memory B cells. BALF analysis showed increased levels of APRIL, CXCL10, and IL-17.

Conclusion

Unlike in sarcoidosis, B cells are expanded in BALF of CVID-ILD patients. This is associated with an expansion of TFH- and TPH-like cells and an increase in APRIL potentially supporting B-cell survival and differentiation and proinflammatory cytokines reflecting not only the previously described TH1 profile seen in CVID patients with secondary immune dysregulation. Thus, the analysis of BALF might be of diagnostic value not only in the diagnosis of CVID-ILD, but also in the evaluation of the activity of the disease and in determining potential treatment targets confirming the prominent role of B-cell targeted strategies.

B Cell Dysregulation in Common Variable Immunodeficiency Interstitial Lung Disease

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most frequently diagnosed primary antibody deficiency. About half of CVID patients develop chronic non-infectious complications thought to be due to intrinsic immune dysregulation, including autoimmunity, gastrointestinal disease, and interstitial lung disease (ILD). Multiple studies have found ILD to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in CVID. Yet, the precise mechanisms underlying this complication in CVID are poorly understood. CVID ILD is marked by profound pulmonary infiltration of both T and B cells as well as granulomatous inflammation in many cases. B cell depletive therapy, whether done as a monotherapy or in combination with another immunosuppressive agent, has become a standard of therapy for CVID ILD. However, CVID is a heterogeneous disorder, as is its lung pathology, and the precise patients that would benefit from B cell depletive therapy, when it should administered, and how long it should be repeated all remain gaps in our knowledge. Moreover, some have ILD recurrence after B cell depletive therapy and the relative importance of B cell biology remains incompletely defined. Developmental and functional abnormalities of B cell compartments observed in CVID ILD and related conditions suggest that imbalance of B cell signaling networks may promote lung disease. Included within these potential mechanisms of disease is B cell activating factor (BAFF), a cytokine that is upregulated by the interferon gamma (IFN-γ):STAT1 signaling axis to potently influence B cell activation and survival. B cell responses to BAFF are shaped by the divergent effects and expression patterns of its three receptors: BAFF receptor (BAFF-R), transmembrane activator and CAML interactor (TACI), and B cell maturation antigen (BCMA). Moreover, soluble forms of BAFF-R, TACI, and BCMA exist and may further influence the pathogenesis of ILD. Continued efforts to understand how dysregulated B cell biology promotes ILD development and progression will help close the gap in our understanding of how to best diagnose, define, and manage ILD in CVID.

Managing Granulomatous-Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease in Common Variable Immunodeficiency Disorders: e-GLILDnet International Clinicians Survey

Background

Granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) is a rare, potentially severe pulmonary complication of common variable immunodeficiency disorders (CVID). Informative clinical trials and consensus on management are lacking.

Aims

The European GLILD network (e-GLILDnet) aims to describe how GLILD is currently managed in clinical practice and to determine the main uncertainties and unmet needs regarding diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

Methods

The e-GLILDnet collaborators developed and conducted an online survey facilitated by the European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) between February-April 2020. Results were analyzed using SPSS.

Results

One hundred and sixty-one responses from adult and pediatric pulmonologists and immunologists from 47 countries were analyzed. Respondents treated a median of 27 (interquartile range, IQR 82-maximum 500) CVID patients, of which a median of 5 (IQR 8-max 200) had GLILD. Most respondents experienced difficulties in establishing the diagnosis of GLILD and only 31 (19%) had access to a standardized protocol. There was little uniformity in diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. Fewer than 40% of respondents saw a definite need for biopsy in all cases or performed bronchoalveolar lavage for diagnostics. Sixty-six percent used glucocorticosteroids for remission-induction and 47% for maintenance therapy; azathioprine, rituximab and mycophenolate mofetil were the most frequently prescribed steroid-sparing agents. Pulmonary function tests were the preferred modality for monitoring patients during follow-up.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate an urgent need for clinical studies to provide more evidence for an international consensus regarding management of GLILD. These studies will need to address optimal procedures for definite diagnosis and a better understanding of the pathogenesis of GLILD in order to provide individualized treatment options. Non-availability of well-established standardized protocols risks endangering patients.

Histology of Interstitial Lung Disease in Common Variable Immune Deficiency

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is an important non-infectious complication in several primary immune deficiencies. In common variable immune deficiency (CVID) it is associated with complex clinical phenotypes and adverse outcomes. The histology of ILD in CVID is heterogeneous and mixed patterns are frequently observed within a single biopsy, including non-necrotising granulomatous inflammation, lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis, lymphoid hyperplasia, follicular bronchiolitis, organizing pneumonia, and interstitial fibrosis; ILD has to be differentiated from lymphoma. The term granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD), coined to describe the histopathological findings within the lungs of patients with CVID with or without multisystem granulomata, is somewhat controversial as pulmonary granulomata are not always present on histology and the nature of infiltrating lymphocytes is variable. In this mini review we summarize the literature on the histology of CVID-related ILD and discuss some of the factors that may contribute to the inter- and intra- patient variability in the histological patterns reported. Finally, we highlight areas for future development. In particular, there is a need for standardization of histological assessments and reporting, together with a better understanding of the immunopathogenesis of CVID-related ILD to resolve the apparent heterogeneity of ILD in this setting and guide the selection of rational targeted therapies in different patients.

Granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease: limiting immunosuppressive therapy-a single-centre experience

Granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) is characterized by lymphocytic and granulomatous pulmonary infiltration occurring in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). It is associated with increased mortality compared with CVID patients without GLILD. There are no treatment guidelines due to the low prevalence and the heterogeneity of the condition. A case review of three patients diagnosed with GLILD was performed from a single Australian centre. Patients met the European Society of Immunodeficiency criteria for CVID and a diagnosis of GLILD was confirmed by a multidisciplinary team. Patients were managed with immunoglobulin (Ig) replacement and immunosuppressive agents if required: the decision for immunosuppression was made on the basis of symptoms and declining pulmonary function. All patients clinically improved. One patient had immunosuppressive treatment ceased. GLILD responds to varying immunosuppressive regimes when IgG monotherapy fails. Immunosuppressive therapy can be discontinued following improvement, but patients require close observation. This series helps inform future GLILD treatment guidelines.

Chronic Lung Disease in Primary Antibody Deficiency: Diagnosis and Management

Chronic lung disease is a complication of primary antibody deficiency (PAD) associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Manifestations of lung disease in PAD are numerous. Thoughtful application of diagnostic approaches is imperative to accurately identify the form of disease. Much of the treatment used is adapted from immunocompetent populations. Recent genomic and translational medicine advances have led to specific treatments. As chronic lung disease has continued to affect patients with PAD, we hope that continued advancements in our understanding of pulmonary pathology will ultimately lead to effective methods that alleviate impact on quality of life and survival.

Rituximab Monotherapy for Common Variable Immune Deficiency-Associated Granulomatous-Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease

Patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) can develop granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD), which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Treating GLILD is a significant challenge because it is rare and can be pathologically heterogeneous. Here we describe two cases of patients with CVID-associated GLILD with biopsies demonstrating loosely organized tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs). Based on the pivotal role that B cells play in TLS initiation and maintenance, we hypothesized that using rituximab monotherapy for B-cell depletion alone would be sufficient for the disruption of the pathologic process underlying GLILD. These two cases demonstrate that adapting a strategy of B cell depletion monotherapy may be effective in TLS-associated conditions such as GLILD.

Etiologic spectrum of interstitial lung diseases in Chinese children older than 2 years of age

Background

Childhood interstitial lung diseases (ILD) (chILD) refer to a rare heterogeneous group of disorders. Global collaborations have been working on the etiologies and classification scheme of chILD. With the development of medical technologies, some new diseases were identified to be associated with chILD and its etiologic spectrum is expanding. The aim of this study is to describe the etiologic spectrum of chILD in children older than 2 years of age and summarize the approaches to diagnosis of chILD.

Methods

We made a retrospective analysis of children older than 2 years of age with chILD who referred to Beijing Children’s Hospital from 21 provinces all over China from 2013 to 2018. After excluding pulmonary infection, congenital heart disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, bronchiolitis obliterans and bronchiectasis, 133 patients were included and categorized by etiology. Clinical manifestations, high-resolution computed tomography, laboratory data, genetic data and pathologic findings were all collected and reviewed.

Results

Systemic disease associated ILD were the most common causes, accounting for 49.6% of the patients, followed by alveolar structure disorder-associated ILD (27%), exposure related ILD (13.5%), and disorders masquerading as ILD (3.8%). In systemic disease associated ILD, in addition to common etiologies such as vasculitis (10.5%) and connective tissue diseases (9.0%), primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID) associated ILD (9.8%), interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (6.8%), and metabolic diseases (6.8%) were not rarely found. Some newly reported etiologies such as STING–associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy, COPA syndrome and STAT3 mutation were included in PID associated ILD. Genetic tests contributed to 15% of the diagnoses which mainly distributed in PID associated ILD, metabolic diseases and surfactant dysfunction disorders, and contributed to the final diagnoses more than lung biopsies (13.5%) and biopsies of rashes or other tissues (12%).

Conclusions

This study first demonstrated an etiologic spectrum of chILD in Chinese children older than 2 years of age and summarized the approaches to diagnosis. The etiologic spectrum of chILD is expanding with more genetic etiologies being recognized.

Common variable immune deficiency: Dissection of the variable

Starting about 60 years ago, a number of reports appeared that outlined the severe clinical course of a few adult subjects with profound hypogammaglobinemia. Puzzled by the lack of family history and adult onset of symptoms in most, the name "acquired" hypogammaglobinemia was given, but later altered to the current name common variable immune deficiency. Pathology reports remarked on the loss of lymph node architecture and paucity of plasma cells in lymphoid tissues in these subjects. While characterized by reduced serum IgG and IgA and often IgM, and thus classified among the B-cell defects, an increasing number of cellular defects in these patients have been recognized over time. In the early years, severe respiratory tract infections commonly led to a shortened life span, but the wide spread availability of immune globulin concentrates for the last 25 years has improved survival. However, chronic non-infectious inflammatory and autoimmune conditions have now emerged as challenging clinical problems; these require further immunologic understanding and additional therapeutic measures. Recent study of this phenotypic syndrome have provided an increasingly fertile ground for the identification of autosomal recessive and now more commonly, autosomal dominant gene defects which lead to the loss of B-cell development in this syndrome.

Small Airway Disease: A Step Closer to Etiology-Based Classification of Bronchiolitis

Three major histologic patterns of bronchiolitis: obliterative bronchiolitis, follicular bronchiolitis, and diffuse panbronchiolitis, are reviewed in detail. These distinct patterns of primary bronchiolar injury provide a useful starting point for formulating a differential diagnosis and considering possible causes. In support of the aim toward a cause-based classification system of small airway disease, a simple diagnostic algorithm is provided for further subclassification of the above 3 bronchiolitis patterns according to the major associated etiologic subgroups.

Appropriate lung management in patients with primary antibody deficiencies

Introduction: Human primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) include a broad spectrum of more than 350 disorders, involving different branches of the immune system and classified as 'rare diseases.' Predominantly antibody deficiencies (PADs) represent more than half of the PIDs diagnosed in Europe and are often diagnosed in the adulthood. Areas covered: Although PAD could first present with autoimmune or neoplastic features, respiratory infections are frequent and respiratory disease represents a relevant cause of morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary complications may be classified as infection-related (acute and chronic), immune-mediated, and neoplastic. Expert opinion: At present, no consensus guidelines are available on how to monitor and manage lung complications in PAD patients. In this review, we will discuss the available diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic instruments and we will suggest an appropriate and evidence-based approach to lung diseases in primary antibody deficiencies. We will also highlight the possible role of promising new tools and strategies in the management of pulmonary complications. However, future studies are needed to reduce of diagnostic delay of PAD and to better understand lung diseases mechanisms, with the final aim to ameliorate therapeutic options that will have a strong impact on Quality of Life and long-term prognosis of PAD patients.

Autoimmunity in common variable immunodeficiency

OBJECTIVE

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary immunodeficiency that is clinically heterogeneous, characterized by both infectious and noninfectious complications. Although the hallmark of disease presentation is commonly a history of recurrent sinopulmonary infections, autoimmunity and noninfectious inflammatory conditions are increasingly associated with CVID.

DATA SOURCES

A comprehensive literature search using PubMed of basic science and clinical articles was performed.

STUDY SELECTIONS

Articles discussing the association of autoimmunity with primary immunodeficiency, specifically CVID, were selected.

RESULTS

The most common autoimmune conditions are cytopenias, including immune thrombocytopenia purpura and hemolytic anemia, but organ-specific autoimmune/inflammatory complications involving the gastrointestinal, skin, joints, connective tissue, and respiratory tract. In most cases, immunoglobulin replacement therapy does not ameliorate or treat these inflammatory complications, and additional immunomodulatory treatments are needed.

CONCLUSION

Mechanisms producing these conditions are poorly understood but include cytokine and cellular inflammatory pathways, and loss of tolerance to self-antigens through the multiple signaling molecules and pathways common to tolerance and immune deficiency.

Interstitial lung disease in patients with common variable immunodeficiency disorders: several different pathologies?

Various reports of disease-related lung pathologies in common variable immunodeficiency disorder (CVID) patients have been published, with differing histological and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings. Data were extracted from the validated Oxford Primary Immune Deficiencies  Database (PID) database (1986-2016) on adult, sporadic CVID patients with suspected interstitial lung disease (ILD). Histology of lung biopsies was studied in relation to length of follow-up, clinical outcomes, HRCT findings and chest symptoms, to look for evidence for different pathological processes. Twenty-nine CVID patients with lung histology and/or radiological evidence of ILD were followed. After exclusions, lung biopsies from 16 patients were reanalysed for ILD. There were no well-formed granulomata, even though 10 patients had systemic, biopsy-proven granulomata in other organs. Lymphocytic infiltration without recognizable histological pattern was the most common finding, usually with another feature. On immunochemistry (n = 5), lymphocytic infiltration was due to T cells (CD4 or CD8). Only one patient showed B cell follicles with germinal centres. Interstitial inflammation was common; only four of 11 such biopsies also showed interstitial fibrosis. Outcomes were variable and not related to histology, suggesting possible different pathologies. The frequent nodules on HRCT were not correlated with histology, as there were no well-formed granulomata. Five patients were asymptomatic, so it is essential for all patients to undergo HRCT, and to biopsy if abnormal HRCT findings are seen. Internationally standardized pathology and immunochemical data are needed for longitudinal studies to determine the precise pathologies and prognoses in this severe complication of CVIDs, so that appropriate therapies may be found.

Tertiary Lymphoid Organs in Cancer Immunology: Mechanisms and the New Strategy for Immunotherapy

The immune system plays pivotal roles in the occurrence and progression of cancers. As blockade of immune-checkpoint has been proven effective at improving anti-tumor immune response in multiple tumor types, the tumor immunotherapy still faces many challenges. Emerging evidence indicates lymphoid organ-like structures, also called tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs) or ectopic lymphoid organs (ELOs), have been identified in cancers, as the result of lymphoid neoorganogenesis. The prognostic value of TLOs in cancer patients has been evaluated with debates, however, such well-organized lymphoid structures in the site of cancer indicate TLOs are the important modulators of cancer immunological microenvironment. TLOs have attracted remarkable efforts to investigate their neoorganogenesis and function in immune responses, aiming to develop new strategies for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we summarize the current understandings about the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing the formation and function of TLOs in immune responses against cancer.

Factors Beyond Lack of Antibody Govern Pulmonary Complications in Primary Antibody Deficiency

PURPOSE

Pulmonary complications occur frequently in primary antibody deficiency (PAD). While the impact of antibody deficiency may appear implicit for certain respiratory infections, immunoglobulin replacement therapy does not completely ameliorate pulmonary complications in PAD. Thus, there may be antibody-independent factors influencing susceptibility to respiratory disease in PAD, but these remain incompletely defined.

METHODS

We harnessed the multicenter US Immunodeficiency Network primary immunodeficiency registry to compare prevalence of asthma, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease (ILD), and respiratory infections between two forms of PAD: common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and x-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA). We also defined the clinical and immunological characteristics associated with ILD and asthma in CVID.

RESULTS

Asthma, bronchiectasis, ILD, pneumonia, and upper respiratory infections were more prevalent in CVID than XLA. ILD was associated with autoimmunity, bronchiectasis, and pneumonia as well as fewer B and T cells in CVID. Asthma was the most common chronic pulmonary complication and associated with lower IgA and IgM in CVID. Age of symptom onset or CVID diagnosis was unrelated with ILD or asthma.

CONCLUSION

Despite having less severe immunoglobulin deficiency than XLA, respiratory infections, ILD, and asthma were more common in CVID. Among CVID patients, ILD was associated with autoimmunity and reduced lymphocytes and asthma with lower immunoglobulins. Though our results are tempered by registry limitations, they provide evidence that factors beyond lack of antibody promote pulmonary complications in PAD. Efforts to understand how genetic etiology, nature of concurrent T cell deficiency, and propensity for autoimmunity shape pulmonary disease may improve treatment of PAD.

BAFF-driven B cell hyperplasia underlies lung disease in common variable immunodeficiency

BACKGROUND

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most common symptomatic primary immunodeficiency and is frequently complicated by interstitial lung disease (ILD) for which etiology is unknown and therapy inadequate.

METHODS

Medical record review implicated B cell dysregulation in CVID ILD progression. This was further studied in blood and lung samples using culture, cytometry, ELISA, and histology. Eleven CVID ILD patients were treated with rituximab and followed for 18 months.

RESULTS

Serum IgM increased in conjunction with ILD progression, a finding that reflected the extent of IgM production within B cell follicles in lung parenchyma. Targeting these pulmonary B cell follicles with rituximab ameliorated CVID ILD, but disease recurred in association with IgM elevation. Searching for a stimulus of this pulmonary B cell hyperplasia, we found B cell-activating factor (BAFF) increased in blood and lungs of progressive and post-rituximab CVID ILD patients and detected elevation of BAFF-producing monocytes in progressive ILD. This elevated BAFF interacts with naive B cells, as they are the predominant subset in progressive CVID ILD, expressing BAFF receptor (BAFF-R) within pulmonary B cell follicles and blood to promote Bcl-2 expression. Antiapoptotic Bcl-2 was linked with exclusion of apoptosis from B cell follicles in CVID ILD and increased survival of naive CVID B cells cultured with BAFF.

CONCLUSION

CVID ILD is driven by pulmonary B cell hyperplasia that is reflected by serum IgM elevation, ameliorated by rituximab, and bolstered by elevated BAFF-mediated apoptosis resistance via BAFF-R.

FUNDING

NIH, Primary Immune Deficiency Treatment Consortium, and Rare Disease Foundation.

The broad spectrum of lung diseases in primary antibody deficiencies

Human primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) represent a heterogeneous group of more than 350 disorders. They are rare diseases, but their global incidence is more relevant than generally thought. The underlying defect may involve different branches of the innate and/or adaptive immune response. Thus, the clinical picture may range from severe phenotypes characterised by a broad spectrum of infections to milder infectious phenotypes due to more selective (and frequent) immune defects. Moreover, infections may not be the main clinical features in some PIDs that might present with autoimmunity, auto-inflammation and/or cancer. Primary antibody deficiencies (PADs) represent a small percentage of the known PIDs but they are the most frequently diagnosed, particularly in adulthood. Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most prevalent symptomatic PAD.

PAD patients share a significant susceptibility to respiratory diseases that represent a relevant cause of morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary complications include acute and chronic infection-related diseases, such as pneumonia and bronchiectasis. They also include immune-mediated interstitial lung diseases, such as granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) and cancer. Herein we will discuss the main pulmonary manifestations of PADs, the associated functional and imaging findings, and the relevant role of pulmonologists and chest radiologists in diagnosis and surveillance.

The spectrum of lung complications in primary antibody deficiency ranges from asthma or COPD to extremely rare and specific ILDs. Early diagnosis of the underlying immune defect might significantly improve patients' lung disease, QoL and long-term prognosis.http://ow.ly/5cP230kZvOB

The Lung in Primary Immunodeficiencies: New Concepts in Infection and Inflammation

Immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IGRT) has contributed critically to the management of primary antibody deficiencies (PAD) and the decrease in pneumonia rate. However, despite adequate IGRT and improved prognosis, patients with PAD continue to experience recurrent respiratory tract infections, leading to bronchiectasis and continuing decline in lung function with a severe impact on their quality of life. Moreover, non-infectious inflammatory and interstitial lung complications, such as granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease, contribute substantially to the overall morbidity of PAD. These conditions develop much more often than appreciated and represent a major therapeutic challenge. Therefore, a regular assessment of the structural and functional condition of the lung and the upper airways with appropriate treatment is required to minimize the deterioration of lung function. This work summarizes the knowledge on lung complications in PAD and discusses the currently available diagnostic tools and treatment options.

Dysregulation of Innate Lymphoid Cells in Common Variable Immunodeficiency

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most prevalent symptomatic primary immune deficiency. With widespread use of immunoglobulin replacement therapy, non-infectious complications, such as autoimmunity, chronic intestinal inflammation, and lung disease, have replaced infections as the major cause of morbidity and mortality in this immune deficiency. The pathogenic mechanisms that underlie the development of these complications in CVID are not known; however, there have been numerous associated laboratory findings. Among the most intriguing of these associations is elevation of interferon signature genes in CVID patients with inflammatory/autoimmune complications, as a similar gene expression profile is found in systemic lupus erythematosus and other chronic inflammatory diseases. Linked with this heightened interferon signature in CVID is an expansion of circulating IFN-γ-producing innate lymphoid cells. Innate lymphoid cells are key regulators of both protective and pathogenic immune responses that have been extensively studied in recent years. Further exploration of innate lymphoid cell biology in CVID may uncover key mechanisms underlying the development of inflammatory complications in these patients and may inspire much needed novel therapeutic approaches.

Lung Disease in Primary Antibody Deficiencies

Primary antibody deficiencies (PADs) are the most common form of primary immunodeficiency and predispose to severe and recurrent pulmonary infections, which can result in chronic lung disease including bronchiectasis. Chronic lung disease is among the most common complications of PAD and a significant source of morbidity and mortality for these patients. However, the development of lung disease in PAD may not be solely the result of recurrent bacterial infection or a consequence of bronchiectasis. Recent characterization of monogenic immune dysregulation disorders and more extensive study of common variable immunodeficiency have demonstrated that interstitial lung disease (ILD) in PAD can result from generalized immune dysregulation and frequently occurs in the absence of pneumonia history or bronchiectasis. This distinction between bronchiectasis and ILD has important consequences in the evaluation and management of lung disease in PAD. For example, treatment of ILD in PAD typically uses immunomodulatory approaches in addition to immunoglobulin replacement and antibiotic prophylaxis, which are the stalwarts of bronchiectasis management in these patients. Although all antibody-deficient patients are at risk of developing bronchiectasis, ILD occurs in some forms of PAD much more commonly than in others, suggesting that distinct but poorly understood immunological factors underlie the development of this complication. Importantly, ILD can have earlier onset and may worsen survival more than bronchiectasis. Further efforts to understand the pathogenesis of lung disease in PAD will provide vital information for the most effective methods of diagnosis, surveillance, and treatment of these patients.

The autoimmune conundrum in common variable immunodeficiency disorders

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Autoimmune and inflammatory manifestations are the biggest clinical challenge in the care of patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). The increasing pathogenic knowledge and potential therapeutic implications require a new evaluation of the status quo. (Figure is included in full-text article.)

RECENT FINDINGS

The conundrum of the simultaneous manifestation of primary immunodeficiency and autoimmune disease (AID) is increasingly elucidated by newly discovered genetic defects. Thus, cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 or caspase-9 deficiency presenting with CVID-like phenotypes reiterate concepts of immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked syndrome and autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome. Activating signaling defects downstream of antigen or cytokine receptors are often associated with loss-of-tolerance in the affected patients. Increasingly, forms of combined immunodeficiency are discovered among CVID-like patients. Although different autoimmune manifestations often coincide in the same patient their immunopathology varies. Treatment of AID in CVID remains a challenge, but based on a better definition of the immunopathology first attempts of targeted treatment have been made.

SUMMARY

The increasing comprehension of immunological concepts promoting AID in CVID will allow better and in some cases possibly even targeted treatment. A genetic diagnosis therefore becomes important information in this group of patients, especially in light of the fact that some patients might require hematopoietic stem cell transplantation because of their underlying immunodeficiency.

Autoimmune and Lymphoproliferative Complications of Common Variable Immunodeficiency

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is frequently complicated by the development of autoimmune and lymphoproliferative diseases. With widespread use of immunoglobulin replacement therapy, autoimmune and lymphoproliferative complications have replaced infection as the major cause of morbidity and mortality in CVID patients. Certain CVID complications, such as bronchiectasis, are likely to be the result of immunodeficiency and are associated with infection susceptibility. However, other complications may result from immune dysregulation rather than immunocompromise. CVID patients develop autoimmunity, lymphoproliferation, and granulomas in association with distinct immunological abnormalities. Mutations in transmembrane activator and CAML interactor, reduction of isotype-switched memory B cells, expansion of CD21 low B cells, heightened interferon signature expression, and retained B cell function are all associated with both autoimmunity and lymphoproliferation in CVID. Further research aimed to better understand that the pathological mechanisms of these shared forms of immune dysregulation may inspire therapies beneficial for multiple CVID complications.

Progression of Common Variable Immunodeficiency Interstitial Lung Disease Accompanies Distinct Pulmonary and Laboratory Findings

BACKGROUND

Common variable immunodeficiency may be complicated by interstitial lung disease, which leads to worsened morbidity and mortality in some. Although immunomodulatory treatment has efficacy, choice of patient, duration of treatment, and long-term follow-up are not available. Interstitial lung disease appears stable in certain instances, so it is not known whether all patients will develop progressive disease or require immunomodulatory therapy.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine if all common variable immunodeficiency patients with interstitial lung disease have physiological worsening, and if clinical and/or laboratory parameters may correlate with disease progression.

METHODS

A retrospective review of medical records at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York was conducted for referred patients with common variable immunodeficiency, CT scan-confirmed interstitial lung disease, and periodic pulmonary function testing covering 20 or more months before immunomodulatory therapy. Fifteen patients were identified from the retrospective review and included in this study.

RESULTS

Of the 15 patients with common variable immunodeficiency, 9 had physiological worsening of interstitial lung disease adapted from consensus guidelines, associated with significant reductions in forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced vital capacity, and diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide. Those with progressive lung disease also had significantly lower mean immunoglobulin G levels, greater increases and highest levels of serum immunoglobulin M (IgM), and more significant thrombocytopenia.

CONCLUSION

Interstitial lung disease resulted in physiological worsening in many, but not all subjects, and was associated with suboptimal immunoglobulin G replacement. Those with worsening pulmonary function tests, elevated IgM, and severe thrombocytopenic episodes appear to be at highest risk for progressive disease. Such patients may benefit from immunomodulatory treatment.

Common Variable Immunodeficiency: Diagnosis, Management, and Treatment

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) refers to a grouping of antibody deficiencies that lack a more specific genetic or phenotypic classification. It is the immunodeficiency classification with the greatest number of constituents, likely because of the numerous ways in which antibody production can be impaired and the frequency in which antibody production becomes impaired in human beings. CVID comprises a heterogeneous group of rare diseases. Consequently, CVID presents a significant challenge for researchers and clinicians. Despite these difficulties, both our understanding of and ability to manage this grouping of complex immune diseases has advanced significantly over the past 60 years.

Advances in basic and clinical immunology in 2014

Genetic identification of immunodeficiency syndromes has become more efficient with the availability of whole-exome sequencing, expediting the identification of relevant genes and complementing traditional linkage analysis and homozygosity mapping. New genes defects causing immunodeficiency include phophoglucomutase 3 (PGM3), cytidine 5' triphosphate synthase 1 (CTPS1), nuclear factor κB-inducing kinase (NIK), cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4), B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia/lymphoma 10 (BCL10), phosphoinositide-3 kinase regulatory subunit 1 (PIK3R1), IL21, and Jagunal homolog 1 (JAGN1). New case reports expanded the clinical spectrum of gene defects. For example, a specific recombination-activating gene 1 variant protein with partial recombinant activity might produce Omenn syndrome or a common variable immunodeficiency phenotype. Central and peripheral B-cell tolerance was investigated in patients with several primary immunodeficiencies, including common variable immunodeficiency and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, to explain the occurrence of autoimmunity and inflammatory disorders. The role of IL-12 and IL-15 in the enhancement of natural killer cell activity was reported. Newborn screening for T-cell deficiency is being implemented in more states and is achieving its goal of defining the true incidence of severe combined immunodeficiency and providing early treatment that offers the highest survival for these patients. Definitive treatment of severe immunodeficiency with both hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and gene therapy was reported to be successful, with increasing definition of conditions needed for optimal outcomes. Progress in HIV infection is directed toward the development of an effective vaccine and the eradication of hidden latent virus reservoirs.

Lung disease in primary antibody deficiency

This Review summarises current knowledge on the pulmonary manifestations of primary antibody deficiency (PAD) syndromes in adults. We describe the major PAD syndromes, with a particular focus on common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Respiratory infection is a common presenting feature of PAD syndromes. Respiratory complications are frequent and responsible for much of the morbidity and mortality associated with these syndromes. Respiratory complications include acute infections, the sequelae of infection (eg, bronchiectasis), non-infectious immune-mediated manifestations (notably the development of granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease in CVID), and an increased risk of lymphoma. Although minor abnormalities are detectable in the lungs of most patients with CVID by CT scanning, not all patients develop lung complications. Mechanisms associated with the maintenance of lung health versus lung disease, and the development of bronchiectasis versus immune-mediated complications, are now being dissected. We review the investigation, treatment, and management strategies for PAD syndromes, and include key research questions relating to both infectious and non-infectious complications of PAD in the lung.

Lung magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion weighted imaging provides regional structural as well as functional information without radiation exposure in primary antibody deficiencies

Purpose

Primary antibody deficiency patients suffer from infectious and non-infectious pulmonary complications leading over time to chronic lung disease. The complexity of this pulmonary involvement poses significant challenge in differential diagnosis in patients with long life disease and increased radio sensitivity. We planned to verify the utility of chest Magnetic Resolution Imaging with Diffusion-Weighted Imaging as a radiation free technique.

Methods

Prospective evaluation of 18 patients with Common Variable Immunodeficiency and X-linked Agammaglobulinemia. On the same day, patients underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Diffusion Weighted Imaging sequences, High Resolution Computerized Tomography and Pulmonary Function Tests, including diffusing capacity factor for carbon monoxide. Images were scored using a modified version of the Bhalla scoring system.

Results

Magnetic Resonance Imaging was non-inferior to High Resolution Computerized Tomography in the capacity to identify bronchial and parenchymal abnormalities. HRCT had a higher capacity to identify peripheral airways abnormalities, defined as an involvement of bronchial generation up to the fifth and distal (scores 2–3). Bronchial scores negatively related to pulmonary function tests. One third of consolidations and nodules had Diffusion Weighted Imaging restrictions associated with systemic granulomatous disease and systemic lymphadenopathy. Lung Magnetic Resolution Imaging detected an improvement of bronchial and parenchymal abnormalities, in recently diagnosed patients soon after starting Ig replacement.

Conclusions

Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Diffusion Weighted Imaging was a reliable technique to detect lung alterations in patients with Primary Antibody Deficiencies.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10875-015-0172-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Granulomatous and lymphocytic interstitial lung disease: a spectrum of pulmonary histopathologic lesions in common variable immunodeficiency--histologic and immunohistochemical analyses of 16 cases

Common variable immunodeficiency is a primary immunodeficiency of unknown etiology characterized by low serum immunoglobulin G, a decreased ability to make specific antibodies, and variable T-cell defects. Approximately 10-30% of patients with common variable immunodeficiency develop clinical evidence of a diffuse parenchymal lung disease with a constellation of histopathologic findings termed granulomatous and lymphocytic interstitial lung disease. In this study, we characterized the histologic and immunohistochemical features in a series of 16 cases diagnosed by open lung biopsy. Peribronchiolar and interstitial lymphocytic infiltration, granulomatous inflammation, and organizing pneumonia were consistent features; interstitial fibrosis with architectural remodeling was also found in a subgroup of patients. By immunohistochemistry, a predominance of CD4+ T lymphocytes with variable numbers of CD8+ T cells and B cells was present, with a striking absence of FOXP3-positive T-regulatory cells. This heretofore unrecognized immunohistochemical finding needs further investigation for a potential role in the pathogenesis of the condition. The presence of interstitial fibrosis with or without architectural remodeling in a subset of patients also needs additional study, for effect on prognosis.

Pulmonary radiologic findings in common variable immunodeficiency: clinical and immunological correlations

BACKGROUND

It remains unclear whether interstitial lung disease (ILD) in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a consequence of chronic infection or a manifestation of dysregulated lymphoid proliferation found in those with this condition.

OBJECTIVE

To increase understanding of CVID-associated lung disease by comparing clinical and immunologic associations in those with bronchiectasis, ILD, or no lung disease observed on chest computerized tomography (CT).

METHODS

Retrospective review of electronic medical records of 61 patients with CVID was used to identify clinical and laboratory correlates of bronchiectasis, ground glass opacity, and pulmonary nodules on CT scan.

RESULTS

Significant clinical and immunologic associations were identified for common CT scan findings in CVID. Bronchiectasis was strongly correlated with a CD4+ T-cell count lower than 700 cells/μL and was associated with a history of pneumonia and older age. Pulmonary nodular disease was correlated with increased CD4+:CD8+ T-cell ratios, a history of autoimmune hemolytic anemia or immune thrombocytopenic purpura, elevated IgM, and younger age. Ground glass opacity had similar clinical and laboratory characteristics as those for nodular lung disease but was associated with elevated monocyte counts and the presence of liver disease.

CONCLUSION

CT findings of bronchiectasis or ILD, including ground glass opacity and extensive pulmonary nodules, were correlated with selected clinical and laboratory characteristics. These results suggest divergent processes of CVID lung disease, with bronchiectasis more strongly associated with infection and T-cell lymphopenia and ILD more strongly linked with autoimmunity and lymphoproliferation.

Pulmonary manifestations of primary immunodeficiency disorders in children

Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) are inherited disorders in which one or several components of immune system are decreased, missing, or of non-appropriate function. These diseases affect the development, function, or morphology of the immune system. The group of PID comprises more than 200 different disorders and syndromes and the number of newly recognized and revealed deficiencies is still increasing. Their clinical presentation and complications depend on the type of defects and there is a great variability in the relationship between genotypes and phenotypes. A variation of clinical presentation across various age categories is also presented and children could widely differ from adult patients with PID. Respiratory symptoms and complications present a significant cause of morbidity and also mortality among patients suffering from different forms of PIDs and they are observed both in children and adults. They can affect primarily either upper airways (e.g., sinusitis and otitis media) or lower respiratory tract [e.g., pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchiectasis, and interstitial lung diseases (ILDs)]. The complications from lower respiratory tract are usually considered to be more important and also more specific for PIDs and they determinate patients' prognosis. The spectrum of the causal pathogens usually demonstrates typical pattern characteristic for each PID category. The respiratory signs of PIDs can be divided into infectious (upper and lower respiratory tract infections and complications) and non-infectious (ILDs, bronchial abnormalities - especially bronchiectasis, malignancies, and benign lymphoproliferation). Early diagnosis and appropriate therapy can prevent or at least slow down the development and course of respiratory complications of PIDs.