Paraproteins and monoclonal expansion of CD3+CD8+ CD56-CD57+ T lymphocytes in a patient with HIV infection

Case Report: mRNA vaccination-mediated STAT3 overactivation with agranulocytosis and clonal T-LGL expansion

Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are the most effective measure against the COVID-19 pandemic. The safety profile of mRNA vaccines in patients with rare diseases has not been assessed systematically in the clinical trials, as these patients were typically excluded. This report describes the occurrence of agranulocytosis within days following the first dose of an mRNA-1273 vaccination against COVID-19 in a previously healthy older adult. The patient was diagnosed with a suspected STAT3 wild-type T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukaemia (T-LGL). Neutropenia was successfully treated with IVIG, glucocorticoids, and G-CSF. In vitro experiments aimed at elucidating the pathways potentially causing the mRNA vaccine-associated neutropenia indicated that the mRNA, but not the adenoviral Ad26.COV2.S vector vaccine, triggered strong IL-6/STAT3 activation in vitro, resulting in excessive T-cell activation and neutrophil degranulation in the patient but not in controls. mRNA-1273 activated TLR-3 suggesting TLR mediated IL-6/STAT3 pathway activation. To complete the primary series of COVID-19 immunization, we used a single dose of Ad26.COV2.S vector vaccine without reoccurrence of neutropenia. The T-LGL clone remained stable during the follow-up of more than 12 months without ongoing therapy. Our data suggest that switching the immunization platform may be a reasonable approach in subjects with rare associated hematologic side effects due to excess STAT3-mediated stimulation following mRNA vaccination. Using in vitro testing before re-administration of a (COVID) vaccine also has relevance for other rare immune events after (mRNA) vaccination.

Detailed analysis of the T-cell lymphocytic infiltrate in penile lichen sclerosus: an immunohistochemical and molecular investigation

AIM

To determine the extent of clonal outgrowth in the lymphocytic tissue infiltrate of lichen sclerosus (LS). The presence of T cells with a monoclonally rearranged T-cell receptor gamma-gene (TCRgamma) has been described in up to 50% of biopsies of vulvar and penile LS.

MATERIAL AND RESULTS

We analysed 33 foreskin specimens with LS for the presence of clonal T cells by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and with TCRgamma-PCR-based fluorescent fragment analysis. Eighteen of 33 patients revealed a band indicating a monoclonally rearranged TCRgamma on conventional PCR analysis. Subsequent TCRgamma-PCR-based fluorescent fragment analysis identified 8/18 patients with monoclonal T-cell DNA ranging from 1.4% to 23.1% of total T-cell DNA analysed and a size range from 56 to 72 base pairs. Four of 18 patients had an oligoclonal and 6/18 patients revealed a polyclonal banding pattern. The lymphocytic infiltrate contained low numbers of gammadelta T cells and cytotoxic T cells in comparable numbers to the low percentage of clonal TCRgamma DNA.

CONCLUSIONS

The low percentage of clonal TCRgamma DNA argues against a systemic neoplastic disease, but rather for a local immune disorder. The target antigen of the clonal outgrowth is unknown, but an exaggerated antigen-dependent proliferation of T cells due to chronic local antigen exposure, probably an infectious antigen, is the most likely explanation.