The Hyper-IgE Syndromes: Lessons in Nature, From Bench to Bedside

[Swelling of the salivary glands and sicca symptoms in Kimura's disease, a rare rheumatological differential diagnosis with an indicatively high IgE serum level-A current overview after literature search]

Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) include various diseases with sometimes rather different symptoms, some of which are locally confined and others show systemic features. Autoimmune phenomena, such as those occurring in Sjögren's syndrome, often cause symptoms such as xerostomia and xerophthalmia in association with inflammation of the salivary glands. The pathogenesis of these diseases is only partly clarified. This is similar to allergic diseases, which are otherwise clearly different with respect to the symptoms and pathomechanisms but swelling of the salivary glands can also rarely occur here. As this is a possible differential diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome or also IgG4-associated diseases, and such a case was recently described, a literature search was carried out in PubMed, the results of which are presented here and summarized in this article in a brief overview.

Bilateral swelling of the salivary glands and sicca symptoms: an unusual differential diagnosis-Kimura's disease, a rare allergic condition with a high IgE serum level-a case report and review of the literature

A 68-year-old woman presented with bilateral swelling of the salivary glands, sicca symptoms of eyes and mouth, itching, fatigue and weight gain of about 5 kg in the last 2-3 years. As part of a careful diagnostic work up including lab tests for antinuclear antibodies (ANA), antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (ENA), anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmatic antiobodies (ANCA), immunoglobulin (Ig)G4, a whole body computed tomography (CT) and a parotid biopsy several rheumatic diseases such as Sjoegren's syndrome, IgG4-related disease and sarcoidosis were ruled out and, considering a very high titre of IgE, Kimura's disease was diagnosed. The case and a short review of the literature are presented.

TYK2 in Cancer Metastases: Genomic and Proteomic Discovery

Simple Summary

Cancer deaths are predominantly due to metastases rather than the primary tumors, and thus there is an urgent need for the discovery of more effective drug therapies for metastatic cancer. Recent genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics studies have identified tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) as an oncogene that is frequently mutated or overexpressed in many types of cancer and metastases. A member of the Janus kinase (JAK) family, TYK2 mediates the signals of numerous cytokines involved in immune and inflammatory signaling. In cancer cells, activation of TYK2 can lead to decreased cell death as well as increased cell growth and invasion. Multiple drugs that specifically block TYK2 or JAKs are currently FDA-approved or in clinical trials. In this review, we provide an overview of the screening, molecular, and animal studies that have characterized the role of TYK2 in cancer and metastases, and the potential of TYK2 inhibitors as effective cancer therapies.

Abstract

Advances in genomic analysis and proteomic tools have rapidly expanded identification of biomarkers and molecular targets important to cancer development and metastasis. On an individual basis, personalized medicine approaches allow better characterization of tumors and patient prognosis, leading to more targeted treatments by detection of specific gene mutations, overexpression, or activity. Genomic and proteomic screens by our lab and others have revealed tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) as an oncogene promoting progression and metastases of many types of carcinomas, sarcomas, and hematologic cancers. TYK2 is a Janus kinase (JAK) that acts as an intermediary between cytokine receptors and STAT transcription factors. TYK2 signals to stimulate proliferation and metastasis while inhibiting apoptosis of cancer cells. This review focuses on the growing evidence from genomic and proteomic screens, as well as molecular studies that link TYK2 to cancer prevalence, prognosis, and metastasis. In addition, pharmacological inhibition of TYK2 is currently used clinically for autoimmune diseases, and now provides promising treatment modalities as effective therapeutic agents against multiple types of cancer.

Inborn errors of immunity with atopic phenotypes: A practical guide for allergists

Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are a heterogeneous group of disorders, mainly resulting from mutations in genes associated with immunoregulation and immune host defense. These disorders are characterized by different combinations of recurrent infections, autoimmunity, inflammatory manifestations, lymphoproliferation, and malignancy. Interestingly, it has been increasingly observed that common allergic symptoms also can represent the expression of an underlying immunodeficiency and/or immune dysregulation.

Very high IgE levels, peripheral or organ-specific hypereosinophilia, usually combined with a variety of atopic symptoms, may sometimes be the epiphenomenon of a monogenic disease. Therefore, allergists should be aware that severe and/or therapy-resistant atopic disorders might be the main clinical phenotype of some IEI. This could pave the way to target therapies, leading to better quality of life and improved survival in affected patients.

Immunological features in pediatric patients with recurrent and severe infection: Identification of Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases in Merida, Venezuela

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) are disorders associated mainly with recurrent and severe infection and an increase in susceptibility to autoimmune conditions and cancer. In Venezuela, PIDs are underdiagnosed and there is usually a delay in their diagnosis. Hence there are no data concerning the frequency and type of PIDs that occur. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify the types of PIDs that occur in Merida, a population within Venezuela.

PATIENTS OR MATERIALS AND METHODS

Following an informative program designed to alert local health professionals to the warning signs for PIDs, patients with a history of recurrent infections were referred to the Instituto de Inmunologia Clinica, Universidad de Los Andes.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

During the three-year period January 2014 to January 2017, thirty-two cases of PIDs were identified in pediatric patients, and 17 different types of PIDs, were identified. Predominantly antibody deficiencies were most frequent (40.6%), followed by immunodeficiencies affecting cellular and humoral immunity (21.8%), congenital defects of phagocyte (18.7%), CID with associated or syndromic features (9.3%), defects in intrinsic and innate immunity (6.4%) and diseases of immune dysregulation (3.2%). These results have important implications not only to the future approach for management of patients in our regions, but add important knowledge concerning PIDs in Latin America and worldwide.

Neurological Manifestations of Primary Immunodeficiencies

OBJECTIVE

Primary immunodeficiencies (PID) are a heterogeneous group of disorders with a variable clinical spectrum of manifestations. The central nervous system may be involved in PID with symptoms which may present initially or develop at later stages. The purpose of this study was to review the neurological manifestations of different PID syndromes.

MATERIALS & METHODS

We focused on 104 selected studies on PID with certain neurological abnormalities which may accompany these disorders or may later signify a PID in their course.

RESULTS

Diverse neurological deficits accompanying certain PIDs may be mild or they may greatly influence the course of the disease with major impacts on the quality of life of these patients.

CONCLUSION

Early recognition and treatment is important to prevent or reduce future irreversible neurological sequelae. Therefore physicians should be aware of the neurological features accompanying PID.

Pattern recognitions receptors in immunodeficiency disorders

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) recognize common microbial or host-derived macromolecules and have important roles in early activation and response of the immune system. Initiation of the innate immune response starts with the recognition of microbial structures called pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Recognition of PAMPs is performed by germline-encoded receptors expressed mainly on immune cells termed pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Several classes of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are involved in the pathogenesis of diseases, including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), C-type lectin receptors (CLRs), and Nod-like receptors (NLRs). Patients with primary immune deficiencies (PIDs) affecting TLR signaling can elucidate the importance of these proteins in the human immune system. Defects in interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-4 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) lead to susceptibility to infections with bacteria, while mutations in nuclear factor-κB essential modulator (NEMO) and other downstream mediators generally induce broader susceptibility to bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In contrast, TLR3 signaling defects are associated with susceptibility to herpes simplex virus type 1 encephalitis. Other PIDs induce functional alterations of TLR signaling pathways, such as common variable immunodeficiency in which plasmacytoid dendritic cell defects enhance defective responses of B cells to shared TLR agonists. Altered TLR responses to TLR2 and 4 agonists are seen in chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) and X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA). Enhanced TLR responses, meanwhile, are seen for TLRs 5 and 9 in CGD, TLRs 4, 7/8, and 9 in XLA, TLRs 2 and 4 in hyper IgE syndrome (HIES), and for most TLRs in adenosine deaminase deficiency. In this review we provide the reader with an update on the role of TLRs and downstream signaling pathways in PID disorders.

Humoral Primary Immunodeficiencies in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) may be the primary presenting symptom for primary immunodeficiencies (PID). PID can affect the humoral or the cellular immune system. This paper provides an overview of PID which affect the humoral immune system, with details around the diagnostic criteria, the epidemiology, the subtypes, the clinical manifestations, underlying molecular mechanisms, methods to screen for PID and the management of CRS in the context of PID. A high clinical suspicion of PID is required when assessing patients with CRS who are refractory to maximal medical therapy.

Primary Immunodeficiencies with Elevated IgE

In recent years a number of primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) characterized by elevated Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels have been uncovered and termed as Hyper-IgE syndrome (HIES). In addition to the elevated levels of IgE, patients with these PIDs display a spectrum of infections by staphylococci and fungi, and in some cases viruses, particularly affecting skin and lungs. Most of these PIDs also have a non-infectious phenotype, comprising musculoskeletal, vascular, and neurological abnormalities. The genetic basis for the majority of conditions with elevated IgE has now been established and includes mutations in STAT3, DOCK8, TYK2, and most recently PGM3 molecules. However, in some patients with the relevant phenotype, mutations in these molecules are not identified, suggesting additional genetic etiologies of HIES not yet discovered. As the immunological and molecular basis of HIES is being unraveled, important insights are emerging that may have implications for our understanding of basic principles of immunology and protective immunity as well as for the pathogenesis and clinical management of patients with these complex and challenging PIDs. In this review, are presented the current knowledge on the clinical presentation, infectious phenotype, and the genetic and immunological pathogenesis of hyper-IgE syndromes as well as some other PIDs with elevated levels of IgE.

Recurrent Skin and Lung Infections in Autosomal Dominant Hyper IgE Syndrome with Transactivation Domain STAT3 Mutation

Background. Hyper IgE is a rare systemic disease characterized by the clinical triad of high serum levels of IgE (>2000 IU/mL), eczema, and recurrent staphylococcal skin and lung infections. The presentation of hyper IgE syndrome is highly variable, which makes it easy to confuse the diagnosis with that of severe atopy or other rare immunodeficiency disorders. Case Report. A 23-year-old Hispanic presented with history of frequent respiratory and gastrointestinal infections as a child and multiple episodes of skin and lung infections (abscess) with Staphylococcus aureus throughout his adult life. He had multiple eczematous lesions and folliculitis over his entire body, oral/esophageal candidiasis, and retention of his primary teeth. The IgE was elevated (>5000 IU/mL). Genetic mutation analysis revealed a mutation affecting the transactivation domain of the STAT3 gene. Conclusion. The hallmark of hyper IgE syndrome is serum IgE of >2000 IU/mL. Hyper IgE syndrome is a genetic disorder that is either autosomal dominant or recessive. A definite diagnosis can be made with genetic mutation analysis, and in this case, it revealed a very rare finding of the transactivation domain STAT3 mutation. Hyper IgE syndrome is a challenge for clinicians in establishing a diagnosis in suspected cases.