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Oscorbin IP, Gordukova MA, Davydova NV, Zinovieva NV, Kovzel EF, Andries L, Kudlay DA, Filipenko ML. Multiplex droplet digital PCR for 22q11.2 microdeletions screening and DiGeorge syndrome diagnostics. Clin Chim Acta 2024; 563:119903. [PMID: 39127298 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2024.119903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) is a genetic disorder manifesting in polymorphic symptoms related to developmental abnormalities of various organs including thymus. DGS is caused by microdeletions in the 22q11.2 region between several low copy repeats (LCR) occurring in approximately 1 in 4000 live births. Diagnosis of DGS relies on phenotypic examination, qPCR, ultrasound, FISH, MLPA and NGS which can be relatively inaccurate, time-consuming, and costly. MATERIALS AND METHODS A novel multiplex droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay was designed, optimized and validated for detection and mapping 22q11.2 microdeletions by simultaneous amplification of three targets - TUPLE1, ZNF74, D22S936 - within the deletion areas and one reference target - RPP30 - as an internal control. RESULTS The assay reliable identified microdeletions when the template concentration was >32 copies per reaction and successfully detected LCR22A-B, LCR22A-C, LCR22A-D, and LCR22B-C deletions in clinical samples from 153 patients with signs of immunodeficiency. In patients with the microdeletions, flow cytometry detected a significant increase in B-cell and natural killer cell counts and percentages, while T-cell percentages and T-cell receptor excision circle (TREC) numbers decreased. CONCLUSION The designed ddPCR assay is suitable for diagnosing DGS using whole blood and blood spots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Petrovich Oscorbin
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics, The Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICBFM SB RAS), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia.
| | | | | | | | - Elena Fedorovna Kovzel
- Clinical Immunology, Allergology, Pulmonology Program, Corporate Fund "University Medical Center" of Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Lucia Andries
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova, Chișinău, Moldova
| | - Dmitry Anatolyevich Kudlay
- The Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Pogodinskaya St. 1, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Maxim Leonidovich Filipenko
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics, The Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICBFM SB RAS), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
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2
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Wójtowicz-Marzec M, Berendt AM, Bogucki J. Thymus assessments at birth in echocardiography: a preliminary cohort study. BMC Pediatr 2024; 24:495. [PMID: 39095774 PMCID: PMC11295333 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04972-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Echocardiography is a tool used in neonatal period to screen for congenital heart defects and to assess the function of the cardiovascular system. It enables obtaining a three-vessel view (3VV) to show how the superior vena cava, the aorta and the pulmonary trunk relate to each other. A 3VV also provides a view of the thymus gland. METHODS It is a preliminary study. Using the thymus measurements obtained in echocardiography of neonates delivered in one healthcare centre, a total of 1,331 thymus records were collected and statistically analysed. The study was conducted on group of 321 preterm neonates and 1,010 full-term neonates. The superior mediastinal view (three-vessel view, 3VV) was chosen for thymus measurements, with the parallel vascular system, including the superior vena cava, the aorta and the pulmonary trunk, with visible branching to the right and left pulmonary artery. Thymus width, depth and thymic 3VV index were measured. Thymic 3VV index (TI 3VV) is defined as a product of multipling the width and the depth of the thymus in three-vessel view projection. RESULTS Based on a statistical analysis, a correlation was found of 3VV thymus dimensions and thymic 3VV index with body weight, gestational age and body surface area (BSA). These measurements led to the important finding that the TI 3VV value depends on thymus width and depth, more prominently the latter. The 3VV measurement of thymus depth alone can serve as a screening tool to assess the size of the gland. CONCLUSIONS Inclusion of thymic measurements in neonatal echocardiography protocol can be used as a screening tool to assess the size of thymus gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Wójtowicz-Marzec
- Neonatal Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Pathology Pregnancy, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Staszica 16, Lublin, 20-828, Poland.
- Chair and Department of Paediatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Maria Berendt
- Neonatal Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Pathology Pregnancy, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Staszica 16, Lublin, 20-828, Poland
| | - Jacek Bogucki
- Institute of Medical Science, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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Dinges SS, Amini K, Notarangelo LD, Delmonte OM. Primary and secondary defects of the thymus. Immunol Rev 2024; 322:178-211. [PMID: 38228406 PMCID: PMC10950553 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
The thymus is the primary site of T-cell development, enabling generation, and selection of a diverse repertoire of T cells that recognize non-self, whilst remaining tolerant to self- antigens. Severe congenital disorders of thymic development (athymia) can be fatal if left untreated due to infections, and thymic tissue implantation is the only cure. While newborn screening for severe combined immune deficiency has allowed improved detection at birth of congenital athymia, thymic disorders acquired later in life are still underrecognized and assessing the quality of thymic function in such conditions remains a challenge. The thymus is sensitive to injury elicited from a variety of endogenous and exogenous factors, and its self-renewal capacity decreases with age. Secondary and age-related forms of thymic dysfunction may lead to an increased risk of infections, malignancy, and autoimmunity. Promising results have been obtained in preclinical models and clinical trials upon administration of soluble factors promoting thymic regeneration, but to date no therapy is approved for clinical use. In this review we provide a background on thymus development, function, and age-related involution. We discuss disease mechanisms, diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches for primary and secondary thymic defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S. Dinges
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kayla Amini
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Luigi D. Notarangelo
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ottavia M. Delmonte
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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4
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Min H, Valente LA, Xu L, O'Neil SM, Begg LR, Kurtzberg J, Filiano AJ. Improving thymus implantation for congenital athymia with interleukin-7. Clin Transl Immunology 2023; 12:e1475. [PMID: 38020730 PMCID: PMC10665642 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Thymus implantation is a recently FDA-approved therapy for congenital athymia. Patients receiving thymus implantation develop a functional but incomplete T cell compartment. Our objective was to develop a mouse model to study clinical thymus implantation in congenital athymia and to optimise implantation procedures to maximise T cell education and expansion of naïve T cells. Methods Using Foxn1 nu athymic mice as recipients, we tested MHC-matched and -mismatched donor thymi that were implanted as fresh tissue or cultured to remove donor T cells. We first implanted thymus under the kidney capsule and then optimised intramuscular implantation. Using competitive adoptive transfer assays, we investigated whether the failure of newly developed T cells to expand into a complete T cell compartment was because of intrinsic deficits or whether there were deficits in engaging MHC molecules in the periphery. Finally, we tested whether recombinant IL-7 would promote the expansion of host naïve T cells educated by the implanted thymus. Results We determined that thymus implants in Foxn1 nu athymic mice mimic many aspects of clinical thymus implants in patients with congenital athymia. When we implanted cultured, MHC-mismatched donor thymus into Foxn1 nu athymic mice, mice developed a limited T cell compartment with notably underdeveloped naïve populations and overrepresented memory-like T cells. Newly generated T cells were predominantly educated by MHC molecules expressed by the donor thymus, thus potentially undergoing another round of selection once in the peripheral circulation. Using competitive adoptive transfer assays, we compared expansion rates of T cells educated on donor thymus versus T cells educated during typical thymopoiesis in MHC-matched and -mismatched environments. Once in the circulation, regardless of the MHC haplotypes, T cells educated on a donor thymus underwent abnormal expansion with initially more robust proliferation coupled with greater cell death, resembling IL-7 independent spontaneous expansion. Treating implanted mice with recombinant interleukin (IL-7) promoted homeostatic expansion that improved T cell development, expanded the T cell receptor repertoire, and normalised the naïve T cell compartment. Conclusion We conclude that implanting cultured thymus into the muscle of Foxn1 nu athymic mice is an appropriate system to study thymus implantation for congenital athymia and immunodeficiencies. T cells are educated by the donor thymus, yet naïve T cells have deficits in expansion. IL-7 greatly improves T cell development after thymus implantation and may offer a novel strategy to improve outcomes of clinical thymus implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunjung Min
- Marcus Center for Cellular CuresDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Laura A Valente
- Marcus Center for Cellular CuresDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
- Department of PathologyDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Li Xu
- Marcus Center for Cellular CuresDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Shane M O'Neil
- Marcus Center for Cellular CuresDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Lauren R Begg
- Marcus Center for Cellular CuresDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Joanne Kurtzberg
- Marcus Center for Cellular CuresDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
- Department of PediatricsDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Anthony J Filiano
- Marcus Center for Cellular CuresDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
- Department of PathologyDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
- Department of NeurosurgeryDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
- Department of ImmunologyDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
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Yang JC, Troutman R, Buri H, Gutta A, Situ J, Aja E, Jacobs JP. Ileal Dysbiosis Is Associated with Increased Acoustic Startle in the 22q11.2 Microdeletion Mouse Model of Schizophrenia. Nutrients 2023; 15:3631. [PMID: 37630824 PMCID: PMC10458577 DOI: 10.3390/nu15163631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies involving transplantation of feces from schizophrenia (SCZ) patients and their healthy controls into germ-free mice have demonstrated that the gut microbiome plays a critical role in mediating SCZ-linked physiology and behavior. To date, only one animal model (a metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 knockout) of SCZ has been reported to recapitulate SCZ-linked gut dysbiosis. Since human 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome is associated with increased risk of SCZ, we investigated whether the 22q11.2 microdeletion ("Q22") mouse model of SCZ exhibits both SCZ-linked behaviors and intestinal dysbiosis. We demonstrated that Q22 mice display increased acoustic startle response and ileal (but not colonic) dysbiosis, which may be due to the role of the ileum as an intestinal region with high immune and neuroimmune activity. We additionally identified a negative correlation between the abundance of a Streptococcus species in the ilea of Q22 mice and their acoustic startle response, providing early evidence of a gut-brain relationship in these mice. Given the translational relevance of this mouse model, our work suggests that Q22 mice could have considerable utility in preclinical research probing the relationship between gut dysbiosis and the gut-brain axis in the pathogenesis of SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne Ching Yang
- The Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.C.Y.); (R.T.); (H.B.); (A.G.); (J.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Ryan Troutman
- The Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.C.Y.); (R.T.); (H.B.); (A.G.); (J.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Heidi Buri
- The Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.C.Y.); (R.T.); (H.B.); (A.G.); (J.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Arjun Gutta
- The Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.C.Y.); (R.T.); (H.B.); (A.G.); (J.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Jamilla Situ
- The Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.C.Y.); (R.T.); (H.B.); (A.G.); (J.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Ezinne Aja
- The Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.C.Y.); (R.T.); (H.B.); (A.G.); (J.S.); (E.A.)
- Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jonathan Patrick Jacobs
- The Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.C.Y.); (R.T.); (H.B.); (A.G.); (J.S.); (E.A.)
- Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Parenteral Nutrition, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
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6
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Dias A, Damaceno-Rodrigues N, Gimenez T, Oliveira P, Zerbini M, Carneiro-Sampaio M, Odone V, Jatene M, Vasconcelos D, Rocha V, Novak E. A model for preservation of thymocyte-depleted thymus. Braz J Med Biol Res 2023; 56:e12647. [PMID: 37585915 PMCID: PMC10427159 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x2023e12647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
DiGeorge syndrome is a disorder caused by a microdeletion on the long arm of chromosome 22. Approximately 1% of patients diagnosed with DiGeorge syndrome may have an absence of a functional thymus, which characterizes the complete form of the syndrome. These patients require urgent treatment to reconstitute T cell immunity. Thymus transplantation is a promising investigational procedure for reconstitution of thymic function in infants with congenital athymia. Here, we demonstrate a possible optimization of the preparation of thymus slices for transplantation through prior depletion of thymocytes and leukocyte cell lineages followed by cryopreservation with cryoprotective media (5% dextran FP 40, 5% Me2SO, and 5% FBS) while preserving tissue architecture. Thymus fragments were stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C for 30 days or one year. The tissue architecture of the fragments was preserved, including the distinction between medullary thymic epithelial cells (TECs), cortical TECs, and Hassall bodies. Moreover, depleted thymus fragments cryopreserved for one year were recolonized by intrathymic injections of 3×106 thymocytes per mL, demonstrating the capability of these fragments to support T cell development. Thus, this technique opens up the possibility of freezing and storing large volumes of thymus tissue for immediate transplantation into patients with DiGeorge syndrome or atypical (Omenn-like) phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- A.S. Dias
- Laboratório de Pediatria Clínica LIM36, Instituto da Criança, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Instituto de Tratamento de Câncer Infantil, Instituto da Criança, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - N.R. Damaceno-Rodrigues
- Departamento de Patologia, Laboratório de Biologia Celular (LIM 59), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - T.M. Gimenez
- Laboratório de Pediatria Clínica LIM36, Instituto da Criança, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Instituto de Tratamento de Câncer Infantil, Instituto da Criança, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - P.M. Oliveira
- Setor de Cirurgia Cardíaca Pediátrica, Hospital do Coração da Associação do Beneficente Síria, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - M.C. Zerbini
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - M. Carneiro-Sampaio
- Laboratório de Pediatria Clínica LIM36, Instituto da Criança, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - V. Odone
- Laboratório de Pediatria Clínica LIM36, Instituto da Criança, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Instituto de Tratamento de Câncer Infantil, Instituto da Criança, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - M.B. Jatene
- Setor de Cirurgia Cardíaca Pediátrica, Hospital do Coração da Associação do Beneficente Síria, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - D.M. Vasconcelos
- Laboratório de Investigação Médica em Dermatologia e Imunodeficiências (LIM 56), Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Laboratório de Investigação Médica em Patogênese e Terapia dirigida em Onco-Imuno-Hematologia (LIM 31), Serviço de Hematologia, Hemoterapia e Terapia Celular, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - V. Rocha
- Fundação Pró-Sangue São Paulo, Hemocentro de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Laboratório de Investigação Médica em Patogênese e Terapia dirigida em Onco-Imuno-Hematologia (LIM 31), Serviço de Hematologia, Hemoterapia e Terapia Celular, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - E.M. Novak
- Fundação Pró-Sangue São Paulo, Hemocentro de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Laboratório de Investigação Médica em Patogênese e Terapia dirigida em Onco-Imuno-Hematologia (LIM 31), Serviço de Hematologia, Hemoterapia e Terapia Celular, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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Sarli WM, Ricci S, Lodi L, Cavone F, Pacillo L, Giancotta C, Ubertini G, Baroncelli G, Cancrini C, Azzari C, Stagi S. Risk of thyroid neoplasms in patients with 22q11.2 deletion and DiGeorge-like syndromes: an insight for follow-up. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1209577. [PMID: 37635986 PMCID: PMC10450035 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1209577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome comprises phenotypically similar diseases characterized by abnormal development of the third and fourth branchial arches, resulting in variable combinations of congenital heart defects, dysmorphisms, hypocalcemia, palatal dysfunction, developmental or neuropsychiatric disorders, and impairment of the immune system due to thymic dysfunction. Other genetic syndromes, often called DiGeorge-like, share clinical and immunological features with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. This syndrome has been rarely associated with malignancies, mainly hematological but also hepatic, renal, and cerebral. Rarely, malignancies in the head and neck region have been described, although no aggregate of data on the development of thyroid neoplasms in patients with this clinical phenotype has been conducted so far. Materials and methods To characterize this possible association, a multicenter survey was made. Thus, we present a case series of five pediatric patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome or DiGeorge-like syndrome who were occasionally found with confirmed or highly suspected neoplasms of the thyroid gland during their follow-up. In three cases, malignancies were histologically confirmed, but their outcome was good due to an early recognition of suspicious nodules and precocious surgery. Conclusions This study underlines for clinicians the higher risk of neoplasms in the head and neck district for patients affected by these syndromes. It also emphasizes the importance of a prolonged clinical and ultrasound follow-up for patients with this clinical and immunological phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Maria Sarli
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Paediatric Immunology Division, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Ricci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Paediatric Immunology Division, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Lodi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Paediatric Immunology Division, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Federica Cavone
- Pediatrics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Pacillo
- Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Research Unit of Primary Immunodeficiency, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmela Giancotta
- Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Graziamaria Ubertini
- Unit of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giampiero Baroncelli
- Pediatrics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Caterina Cancrini
- Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Research Unit of Primary Immunodeficiency, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Azzari
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Paediatric Immunology Division, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefano Stagi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Auxoendocrinology Division, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
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Szczawińska-Popłonyk A, Schwartzmann E, Chmara Z, Głukowska A, Krysa T, Majchrzycki M, Olejnicki M, Ostrowska P, Babik J. Chromosome 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of Molecular Genetics in the Context of Multidisciplinary Clinical Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098317. [PMID: 37176024 PMCID: PMC10179617 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is a multisystemic disorder characterized by a marked variability of phenotypic features, making the diagnosis challenging for clinicians. The wide spectrum of clinical manifestations includes congenital heart defects-most frequently conotruncal cardiac anomalies-thymic hypoplasia and predominating cellular immune deficiency, laryngeal developmental defects, midline anomalies with cleft palate and velar insufficiency, structural airway defects, facial dysmorphism, parathyroid and thyroid gland hormonal dysfunctions, speech delay, developmental delay, and neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders. Significant progress has been made in understanding the complex molecular genetic etiology of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome underpinning the heterogeneity of clinical manifestations. The deletion is caused by chromosomal rearrangements in meiosis and is mediated by non-allelic homologous recombination events between low copy repeats or segmental duplications in the 22q11.2 region. A range of genetic modifiers and environmental factors, as well as the impact of hemizygosity on the remaining allele, contribute to the intricate genotype-phenotype relationships. This comprehensive review has been aimed at highlighting the molecular genetic background of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome in correlation with a clinical multidisciplinary approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Szczawińska-Popłonyk
- Department of Pediatric Pneumonology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznań, Poland
| | - Eyal Schwartzmann
- Medical Student Scientific Society, English Division, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznań, Poland
| | - Zuzanna Chmara
- Medical Student Scientific Society, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznań, Poland
| | - Antonina Głukowska
- Medical Student Scientific Society, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznań, Poland
| | - Tomasz Krysa
- Medical Student Scientific Society, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznań, Poland
| | - Maksymilian Majchrzycki
- Medical Student Scientific Society, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznań, Poland
| | - Maurycy Olejnicki
- Medical Student Scientific Society, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznań, Poland
| | - Paulina Ostrowska
- Medical Student Scientific Society, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznań, Poland
| | - Joanna Babik
- Gynecology and Obstetrics with Pregnancy Pathology Unit, Franciszek Raszeja Municipal Hospital, 60-834 Poznań, Poland
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Giardino G, Romano R, Lougaris V, Castagnoli R, Cillo F, Leonardi L, La Torre F, Soresina A, Federici S, Cancrini C, Pacillo L, Toriello E, Cinicola BL, Corrente S, Volpi S, Marseglia GL, Pignata C, Cardinale F. Immune tolerance breakdown in inborn errors of immunity: Paving the way to novel therapeutic approaches. Clin Immunol 2023; 251:109302. [PMID: 36967025 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Up to 25% of the patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) also exhibit immunodysregulatory features. The association of immune dysregulation and immunodeficiency may be explained by different mechanisms. The understanding of mechanisms underlying immune dysregulation in IEI has paved the way for the development of targeted treatments. In this review article, we will summarize the mechanisms of immune tolerance breakdown and the targeted therapeutic approaches to immune dysregulation in IEI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliana Giardino
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
| | - Roberta Romano
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Vassilios Lougaris
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Pediatrics Clinic and Institute for Molecular Medicine A. Nocivelli, University of Brescia and ASST-Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Riccardo Castagnoli
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesca Cillo
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Leonardi
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco La Torre
- Department of Pediatrics, Giovanni XXIII Pediatric Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Annarosa Soresina
- Unit of Pediatric Immunology, Pediatrics Clinic, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvia Federici
- Division of Rheumatology, IRCCS, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Cancrini
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Research Unit of Primary Immunodeficiencies, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Pacillo
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Research Unit of Primary Immunodeficiencies, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Toriello
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Bianca Laura Cinicola
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Volpi
- Center for Autoinflammatory Diseases and Immunodeficiency, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gian Luigi Marseglia
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Claudio Pignata
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabio Cardinale
- Department of Pediatrics, Giovanni XXIII Pediatric Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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10
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Biggs SE, Gilchrist B, May KR. Chromosome 22q11.2 Deletion (DiGeorge Syndrome): Immunologic Features, Diagnosis, and Management. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2023; 23:213-222. [PMID: 36897497 PMCID: PMC9999075 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-023-01071-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review focuses on immunologic findings, relationships among immunologic findings and associated conditions of autoimmunity and atopy, and management of immunologic disease in chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS, historically known as DiGeorge syndrome). RECENT FINDINGS The implementation of assessment of T cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) in newborn screening has led to increased detection of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. While not yet applied in clinical practice, cell-free DNA screening for 22q11.2DS also has the potential to improve early detection, which may benefit prompt evaluation and management. Multiple studies have further elucidated phenotypic features and potential biomarkers associated with immunologic outcomes, including the development of autoimmune disease and atopy. The clinical presentation of 22q11.2DS is highly variable particularly with respect to immunologic manifestations. Time to recovery of immune system abnormalities is not well-defined in current literature. An understanding of the underlying causes of immunologic changes found in 22q11.2DS, and the progression and evolution of immunologic changes over the lifespan have expanded over time and with improved survival. An included case highlights the variability of presentation and potential severity of T cell lymphopenia in partial DiGeorge syndrome and demonstrates successful spontaneous immune reconstitution in partial DiGeorge syndrome despite initial severe T cell lymphopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Biggs
- Division of Allergy-Immunology & Pediatric Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Bailee Gilchrist
- Division of Allergy-Immunology & Pediatric Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Kathleen R May
- Division of Allergy-Immunology & Pediatric Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
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11
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Pasieka JL, Wentworth K, Yeo CT, Cremers S, Dempster D, Fukumoto S, Goswami R, Houillier P, Levine MA, Pasternak JD, Perrier ND, Sitges-Serra A, Shoback DM. Etiology and Pathophysiology of Hypoparathyroidism: A Narrative Review. J Bone Miner Res 2022; 37:2586-2601. [PMID: 36153665 PMCID: PMC10364481 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.4714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The approach utilized a systematic review of the medical literature executed with specifically designed criteria that focused on the etiologies and pathogenesis of hypoparathyroidism. Enhanced attention by endocrine surgeons to new knowledge about parathyroid gland viability are reviewed along with the role of intraoperative parathyroid hormone (ioPTH) monitoring during and after neck surgery. Nonsurgical etiologies account for a significant proportion of cases of hypoparathyroidism (~25%), and among them, genetic etiologies are key. Given the pervasive nature of PTH deficiency across multiple organ systems, a detailed review of the skeletal, renal, neuromuscular, and ocular complications is provided. The burden of illness on affected patients and their caregivers contributes to reduced quality of life and social costs for this chronic endocrinopathy. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice L Pasieka
- Clinical Professor of Surgery and Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Kelly Wentworth
- Assistant Adjunct Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Caitlin T Yeo
- Clinical Lecturer of Surgery and Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Serge Cremers
- Associate Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology and Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - David Dempster
- Professor of Clinical Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Seiji Fukumoto
- Specially Appointed Professor, Fujii Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Ravinder Goswami
- Professor, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Pascal Houillier
- Département de Physiologie, Professor of Physiology, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France
| | - Michael A Levine
- Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Director, Center for Bone Health, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jesse D Pasternak
- Endocrine Surgery Section Head, Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nancy D Perrier
- Professor of Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Surgical Oncology, Section of Surgical Endocrinology, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Antonio Sitges-Serra
- Emeritus Professor, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Endocrine Surgery, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dolores M Shoback
- Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Endocrine Research Unit, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
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12
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Bhalla P, Du Q, Kumar A, Xing C, Moses A, Dozmorov I, Wysocki CA, Cleaver OB, Pirolli TJ, Markert ML, de la Morena MT, Baldini A, van Oers NS. Mesenchymal cell replacement corrects thymic hypoplasia in murine models of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:e160101. [PMID: 36136514 PMCID: PMC9663160 DOI: 10.1172/jci160101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is the most common human chromosomal microdeletion, causing developmentally linked congenital malformations, thymic hypoplasia, hypoparathyroidism, and/or cardiac defects. Thymic hypoplasia leads to T cell lymphopenia, which most often results in mild SCID. Despite decades of research, the molecular underpinnings leading to thymic hypoplasia in 22q11.2DS remain unknown. Comparison of embryonic thymuses from mouse models of 22q11.2DS (Tbx1neo2/neo2) revealed proportions of mesenchymal, epithelial, and hematopoietic cell types similar to those of control thymuses. Yet, the small thymuses were growth restricted in fetal organ cultures. Replacement of Tbx1neo2/neo2 thymic mesenchymal cells with normal ones restored tissue growth. Comparative single-cell RNA-Seq of embryonic thymuses uncovered 17 distinct cell subsets, with transcriptome differences predominant in the 5 mesenchymal subsets from the Tbx1neo2/neo2 cell line. The transcripts affected included those for extracellular matrix proteins, consistent with the increased collagen deposition we observed in the small thymuses. Attenuating collagen cross-links with minoxidil restored thymic tissue expansion for hypoplastic lobes. In colony-forming assays, the Tbx1neo2/neo2-derived mesenchymal cells had reduced expansion potential, in contrast to the normal growth of thymic epithelial cells. These findings suggest that mesenchymal cells were causal to the small embryonic thymuses in the 22q11.2DS mouse models, which was correctable by substitution with normal mesenchyme.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ashwani Kumar
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development
| | - Chao Xing
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development
- Departments of Bioinformatics and
- Population and Data Sciences, Departments of
| | | | | | | | | | - Timothy J. Pirolli
- Division of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Mary Louise Markert
- Departments of Pediatrics and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Maria Teresa de la Morena
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, and Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Antonio Baldini
- Department Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicolai S.C. van Oers
- Department of Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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13
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Chen X, Yang L, Li J, Tan H. Hypoparathyroidism and late-onset hypogonadism in an adult male with familial 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: a case report with 3-year follow-up and review of the literature. BMC Endocr Disord 2022; 22:278. [PMID: 36371175 PMCID: PMC9652942 DOI: 10.1186/s12902-022-01150-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (DiGeorge syndrome) is associated with multiple organ dysfunctions such as cardiac defects, immunodeficiency, and hypoplasia of parathyroid glands. Moreover, the phenotype of 22q11.2 DS has clinical variability and heterogeneity. CASE PRESENTATION In this report, we present the case of a 35-year-old patient with a past medical history that included recurrent infections, mild learning difficulties in childhood, pediatric obesity, and cataract. He was admitted to the endocrinology department for the management of hypogonadism and hypocalcemia. During the 3-year follow-up, the patient gradually developed primary hypoparathyroidism, hypogonadism, chronic renal failure, and heart failure, and his medical condition deteriorated. Meanwhile, in order to improve clinicians' awareness of the endocrine manifestations of adult 22q11.2 DS and reduce missed diagnoses, we reviewed 28 case reports of adult 22q11.2 DS to analyze the clinical characteristics. DISCUSSION Here, we report the case of a young man diagnosed with 22q11.2 DS presented a rare combination of multiple endocrine disorders. This is the first time that a patient with 22q11.2DS had late-onset hypogonadism caused by primary testicular failure combined with decreased pituitary gonadotropin reserve in a patient with 22q11.2DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelian Chen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
- Department of Nephrology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Lichuan Yang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jianwei Li
- Department of Nephrology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Huiwen Tan
- Department of Nephrology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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14
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Pala F, Notarangelo LD, Bosticardo M. Inborn errors of immunity associated with defects of thymic development. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2022; 33:e13832. [PMID: 36003043 PMCID: PMC11077434 DOI: 10.1111/pai.13832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The main function of the thymus is to support the establishment of a wide repertoire of T lymphocytes capable of eliminating foreign pathogens, yet tolerant to self-antigens. Thymocyte development in the thymus is dependent on the interaction with thymic stromal cells, a complex mixture of cells comprising thymic epithelial cells (TEC), mesenchymal and endothelial cells. The exchange of signals between stromal cells and thymocytes is referred to as "thymic cross-talk". Genetic defects affecting either side of this interaction result in defects in thymic development that ultimately lead to a decreased output of T lymphocytes to the periphery. In the present review, we aim at providing a summary of inborn errors of immunity (IEI) characterized by T-cell lymphopenia due to defects of the thymic stroma, or to hematopoietic-intrinsic defects of T-cell development, with a special focus on recently discovered disorders. Additionally, we review the novel diagnostic tools developed to discover and study new genetic causes of IEI due to defects in thymic development. Finally, we discuss therapeutic approaches to correct thymic defects that are currently available, in addition to potential novel therapies that could be applied in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Pala
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Luigi D Notarangelo
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Marita Bosticardo
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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15
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Bhalla P, Su DM, van Oers NSC. Thymus Functionality Needs More Than a Few TECs. Front Immunol 2022; 13:864777. [PMID: 35757725 PMCID: PMC9229346 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.864777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus, a primary lymphoid organ, produces the T cells of the immune system. Originating from the 3rd pharyngeal pouch during embryogenesis, this organ functions throughout life. Yet, thymopoiesis can be transiently or permanently damaged contingent on the types of systemic stresses encountered. The thymus also undergoes a functional decline during aging, resulting in a progressive reduction in naïve T cell output. This atrophy is evidenced by a deteriorating thymic microenvironment, including, but not limited, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions, fibrosis and adipogenesis. An exploration of cellular changes in the thymus at various stages of life, including mouse models of in-born errors of immunity and with single cell RNA sequencing, is revealing an expanding number of distinct cell types influencing thymus functions. The thymus microenvironment, established through interactions between immature and mature thymocytes with thymus epithelial cells (TEC), is well known. Less well appreciated are the contributions of neural crest cell-derived mesenchymal cells, endothelial cells, diverse hematopoietic cell populations, adipocytes, and fibroblasts in the thymic microenvironment. In the current review, we will explore the contributions of the many stromal cell types participating in the formation, expansion, and contraction of the thymus under normal and pathophysiological processes. Such information will better inform approaches for restoring thymus functionality, including thymus organoid technologies, beneficial when an individuals’ own tissue is congenitally, clinically, or accidentally rendered non-functional.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratibha Bhalla
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Dong-Ming Su
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Genetics, The University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States
| | - Nicolai S C van Oers
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.,Department of Microbiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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16
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Chitty-Lopez M, Duff C, Vaughn G, Trotter J, Monforte H, Lindsay D, Haddad E, Keller MD, Oshrine BR, Leiding JW. Case Report: Unmanipulated Matched Sibling Donor Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation In TBX1 Congenital Athymia: A Lifesaving Therapeutic Approach When Facing a Systemic Viral Infection. Front Immunol 2022; 12:721917. [PMID: 35095830 PMCID: PMC8794793 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.721917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital athymia can present with severe T cell lymphopenia (TCL) in the newborn period, which can be detected by decreased T cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) on newborn screening (NBS). The most common thymic stromal defect causing selective TCL is 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS). T-box transcription factor 1 (TBX1), present on chromosome 22, is responsible for thymic epithelial development. Single variants in TBX1 causing haploinsufficiency cause a clinical syndrome that mimics 22q11.2DS. Definitive therapy for congenital athymia is allogeneic thymic transplantation. However, universal availability of such therapy is limited. We present a patient with early diagnosis of congenital athymia due to TBX1 haploinsufficiency. While evaluating for thymic transplantation, she developed Omenn Syndrome (OS) and life-threatening adenoviremia. Despite treatment with anti-virals and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), life threatening adenoviremia persisted. Given the imminent need for rapid establishment of T cell immunity and viral clearance, the patient underwent an unmanipulated matched sibling donor (MSD) hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT), ultimately achieving post-thymic donor-derived engraftment, viral clearance, and immune reconstitution. This case illustrates that because of the slower immune recovery that occurs following thymus transplantation and the restricted availability of thymus transplantation globally, clinicians may consider CTL therapy and HCT to treat congenital athymia patients with severe infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chitty-Lopez
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Carla Duff
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Gretchen Vaughn
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy for Non-Malignant Conditions, Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
| | - Jessica Trotter
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Hector Monforte
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - David Lindsay
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- Division of Immuno-Allergy and Rheumatology, The Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Elie Haddad
- Division of Immuno-Allergy and Rheumatology, The Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Michael D. Keller
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Benjamin R. Oshrine
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy for Non-Malignant Conditions, Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
| | - Jennifer W. Leiding
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division. Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Orlando, FL, United States
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17
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Smetanova J, Milota T, Rataj M, Bloomfield M, Sediva A, Klocperk A. Accelerated Maturation, Exhaustion, and Senescence of T cells in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. J Clin Immunol 2021; 42:274-285. [PMID: 34716533 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-021-01154-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized chiefly by the hypoplasia of the thymus resulting in T cell lymphopenia, increased susceptibility to infections, and higher risk of autoimmune diseases. The irregular thymic niche of T cell development may contribute to autoimmune and atopic complications, whereas the compensatory mechanism of homeostatic T cell proliferation and continuous immune stimulation may result in T cell senescence and exhaustion, further aggravating the immune system dysregulation. METHODS We used flow cytometry to investigate T cell maturation, delineation, proliferation, activation, and expression of senescence and exhaustion-associated markers (PD1, KLRG1, CD57) in 17 pediatric and adolescent patients with 22q11.2DS and age-matched healthy donors. RESULTS 22q11.2DS patients aged 0-5 years had fewer naïve but more effector memory T cells with a tendency to approach normal values with increasing age. Young patients in particular had a higher percentage of proliferating T cells and increased expression of PD1, KLRG1, and CD57, as well as cells co-expressing several exhaustion-associated molecules (PD1, KLRG1, Tbet, Eomes, Helios). Additionally, high-risk 22q11.2DS patients with very low numbers of CD4 T cells had significantly higher percentage of Th1 and Th17 T cells, driven in part by higher proportion of mature T cell forms. CONCLUSION The low thymic output and accelerated T cell differentiation remain the principal features of 22q11.2DS patient immunity, especially in young patients of < 5 years. Later in life, homeostatic proliferation drives expression of T cell exhaustion and senescence-associated markers, suggesting functional aberrations in addition to numeric T cell deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitka Smetanova
- Department of Immunology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Uvalu 84, 150 06, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Milota
- Department of Immunology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Uvalu 84, 150 06, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Paediatric and Adult Rheumatology, University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Rataj
- Department of Immunology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Uvalu 84, 150 06, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Bloomfield
- Department of Immunology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Uvalu 84, 150 06, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Paediatrics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Thomayer University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Sediva
- Department of Immunology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Uvalu 84, 150 06, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Klocperk
- Department of Immunology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Uvalu 84, 150 06, Prague, Czech Republic.
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18
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Silva CS, Reis RL, Martins A, Neves NM. Recapitulation of Thymic Function by Tissue Engineering Strategies. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2100773. [PMID: 34197034 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The thymus is responsible for the development and selection of T lymphocytes, which in turn also participate in the maturation of thymic epithelial cells. These events occur through the close interactions between hematopoietic stem cells and developing thymocytes with the thymic stromal cells within an intricate 3D network. The complex thymic microenvironment and function, and the current therapies to induce thymic regeneration or to overcome the lack of a functional thymus are herein reviewed. The recapitulation of the thymic function using tissue engineering strategies has been explored as a way to control the body's tolerance to external grafts and to generate ex vivo T cells for transplantation. In this review, the main advances in the thymus tissue engineering field are disclosed, including both scaffold- and cell-based strategies. In light of the current gaps and limitations of the developed systems, the design of novel biomaterials for this purpose with unique features is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina S. Silva
- 3B's Research Group I3Bs – Research Institute on Biomaterials Biodegradables and Biomimetics University of Minho Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory AvePark, Parque da Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra 4805‐017 Barco Guimarães Portugal
| | - Rui L. Reis
- 3B's Research Group I3Bs – Research Institute on Biomaterials Biodegradables and Biomimetics University of Minho Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory AvePark, Parque da Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra 4805‐017 Barco Guimarães Portugal
| | - Albino Martins
- 3B's Research Group I3Bs – Research Institute on Biomaterials Biodegradables and Biomimetics University of Minho Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory AvePark, Parque da Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra 4805‐017 Barco Guimarães Portugal
| | - Nuno M. Neves
- 3B's Research Group I3Bs – Research Institute on Biomaterials Biodegradables and Biomimetics University of Minho Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory AvePark, Parque da Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra 4805‐017 Barco Guimarães Portugal
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19
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Kemp K. 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: an anaesthetic perspective. SOUTHERN AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ANAESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA 2021. [DOI: 10.36303/sajaa.2021.27.5.2582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K Kemp
- Department of Anaesthesia and Postoperative Medicine, Red Cross Children’s War Memorial Hospital, University of Cape Town,
South Africa
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20
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Chung DD, Pinson MR, Bhenderu LS, Lai MS, Patel RA, Miranda RC. Toxic and Teratogenic Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure on Fetal Development, Adolescence, and Adulthood. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168785. [PMID: 34445488 PMCID: PMC8395909 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can have immediate and long-lasting toxic and teratogenic effects on an individual’s development and health. As a toxicant, alcohol can lead to a variety of physical and neurological anomalies in the fetus that can lead to behavioral and other impairments which may last a lifetime. Recent studies have focused on identifying mechanisms that mediate the immediate teratogenic effects of alcohol on fetal development and mechanisms that facilitate the persistent toxic effects of alcohol on health and predisposition to disease later in life. This review focuses on the contribution of epigenetic modifications and intercellular transporters like extracellular vesicles to the toxicity of PAE and to immediate and long-term consequences on an individual’s health and risk of disease.
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21
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Sogkas G, Atschekzei F, Adriawan IR, Dubrowinskaja N, Witte T, Schmidt RE. Cellular and molecular mechanisms breaking immune tolerance in inborn errors of immunity. Cell Mol Immunol 2021; 18:1122-1140. [PMID: 33795850 PMCID: PMC8015752 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-020-00626-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to susceptibility to infections, conventional primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs) and inborn errors of immunity (IEI) can cause immune dysregulation, manifesting as lymphoproliferative and/or autoimmune disease. Autoimmunity can be the prominent phenotype of PIDs and commonly includes cytopenias and rheumatological diseases, such as arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and Sjogren's syndrome (SjS). Recent advances in understanding the genetic basis of systemic autoimmune diseases and PIDs suggest an at least partially shared genetic background and therefore common pathogenic mechanisms. Here, we explore the interconnected pathogenic pathways of autoimmunity and primary immunodeficiency, highlighting the mechanisms breaking the different layers of immune tolerance to self-antigens in selected IEI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Sogkas
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.
- Hannover Medical School, Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hanover, Germany.
| | - Faranaz Atschekzei
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
- Hannover Medical School, Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hanover, Germany
| | - Ignatius Ryan Adriawan
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
- Hannover Medical School, Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hanover, Germany
| | - Natalia Dubrowinskaja
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
- Hannover Medical School, Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hanover, Germany
| | - Torsten Witte
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
- Hannover Medical School, Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hanover, Germany
| | - Reinhold Ernst Schmidt
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
- Hannover Medical School, Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hanover, Germany
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22
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Kreins AY, Bonfanti P, Davies EG. Current and Future Therapeutic Approaches for Thymic Stromal Cell Defects. Front Immunol 2021; 12:655354. [PMID: 33815417 PMCID: PMC8012524 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.655354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Inborn errors of thymic stromal cell development and function lead to impaired T-cell development resulting in a susceptibility to opportunistic infections and autoimmunity. In their most severe form, congenital athymia, these disorders are life-threatening if left untreated. Athymia is rare and is typically associated with complete DiGeorge syndrome, which has multiple genetic and environmental etiologies. It is also found in rare cases of T-cell lymphopenia due to Nude SCID and Otofaciocervical Syndrome type 2, or in the context of genetically undefined defects. This group of disorders cannot be corrected by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, but upon timely recognition as thymic defects, can successfully be treated by thymus transplantation using cultured postnatal thymic tissue with the generation of naïve T-cells showing a diverse repertoire. Mortality after this treatment usually occurs before immune reconstitution and is mainly associated with infections most often acquired pre-transplantation. In this review, we will discuss the current approaches to the diagnosis and management of thymic stromal cell defects, in particular those resulting in athymia. We will discuss the impact of the expanding implementation of newborn screening for T-cell lymphopenia, in combination with next generation sequencing, as well as the role of novel diagnostic tools distinguishing between hematopoietic and thymic stromal cell defects in facilitating the early consideration for thymus transplantation of an increasing number of patients and disorders. Immune reconstitution after the current treatment is usually incomplete with relatively common inflammatory and autoimmune complications, emphasizing the importance for improving strategies for thymus replacement therapy by optimizing the current use of postnatal thymus tissue and developing new approaches using engineered thymus tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Y. Kreins
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Immunology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paola Bonfanti
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Epithelial Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - E. Graham Davies
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Immunology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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23
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Chen C, Sun MA, Warzecha C, Bachu M, Dey A, Wu T, Adams PD, Macfarlan T, Love P, Ozato K. HIRA, a DiGeorge Syndrome Candidate Gene, Confers Proper Chromatin Accessibility on HSCs and Supports All Stages of Hematopoiesis. Cell Rep 2021; 30:2136-2149.e4. [PMID: 32075733 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.01.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
HIRA is a histone chaperone that deposits the histone variant H3.3 in transcriptionally active genes. In DiGeorge syndromes, a DNA stretch encompassing HIRA is deleted. The syndromes manifest varied abnormalities, including immunodeficiency and thrombocytopenia. HIRA is essential in mice, as total knockout (KO) results in early embryonic death. However, the role of HIRA in hematopoiesis is poorly understood. We investigate hematopoietic cell-specific Hira deletion in mice and show that it dramatically reduces bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), resulting in anemia, thrombocytopenia, and lymphocytopenia. In contrast, fetal hematopoiesis is normal in Hira-KO mice, although fetal HSCs lack the reconstitution capacity. Transcriptome analysis reveals that HIRA is required for expression of many transcription factors and signaling molecules critical for HSCs. ATAC-seq analysis demonstrates that HIRA establishes HSC-specific DNA accessibility, including the SPIB/PU.1 sites. Together, HIRA provides a chromatin environment essential for HSCs, thereby steering their development and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Chen
- Molecular Genetics of Immunity Section, Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ming-An Sun
- Mammalian Epigenome Reprogramming Section, Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Claude Warzecha
- Hematopoiesis and Lymphocyte Biology Section, Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mahesh Bachu
- Molecular Genetics of Immunity Section, Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Anup Dey
- Molecular Genetics of Immunity Section, Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tiyun Wu
- Molecular Genetics of Immunity Section, Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Peter D Adams
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Todd Macfarlan
- Mammalian Epigenome Reprogramming Section, Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Paul Love
- Hematopoiesis and Lymphocyte Biology Section, Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Keiko Ozato
- Molecular Genetics of Immunity Section, Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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24
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Buchbinder D, Walter JE, Butte MJ, Chan WY, Chitty Lopez M, Dimitriades VR, Dorsey MJ, Nugent DJ, Puck JM, Singh J, Collins CA. When Screening for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) with T Cell Receptor Excision Circles Is Not SCID: a Case-Based Review. J Clin Immunol 2021; 41:294-302. [PMID: 33411155 PMCID: PMC8179373 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-020-00931-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Newborn screening efforts focusing on the quantification of T cell receptor excision circles (TRECs), as a biomarker for abnormal thymic production of T cells, have allowed for the identification and definitive treatment of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) in asymptomatic neonates. With the adoption of TREC quantification in Guthrie cards across the USA and abroad, typical, and atypical SCID constitutes only ~ 10% of cases identified with abnormal TRECs associated with T cell lymphopenia. Several other non-SCID-related conditions may be identified by newborn screening in a term infant. Thus, it is important for physicians to recognize that other factors, such as prematurity, are often associated with low TRECs initially, but often improve with age. This paper focuses on a challenge that immunologists face: the diagnostic evaluation and management of cases in which abnormal TRECs are associated with variants of T cell lymphopenia in the absence of a genetically defined form of typical or atypical SCID. Various syndromes associated with T cell impairment, secondary forms of T cell lymphopenia, and idiopathic T cell lymphopenia are identified using this screening approach. Yet there is no consensus or guidelines to assist in the evaluation and management of these newborns, despite representing 90% of the patients identified, resulting in significant work for the clinical teams until a diagnosis is made. Using a case-based approach, we review pearls relevant to the evaluation of these newborns, as well as the management dilemmas for the families and team related to the resolution of genetic ambiguities.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Buchbinder
- Department of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, CA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California at Irvine, Orange, CA, USA.
| | - Jolan E Walter
- Division of Pediatric, University of South Florida at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Allergy/ Immunology, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Manish J Butte
- Division of Immunology, Allergy, and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Wan-Yin Chan
- Department of Allergy & Immunology, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Maria Chitty Lopez
- Division of Pediatric, University of South Florida at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Allergy/ Immunology, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
| | - Victoria R Dimitriades
- Division of Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Morna J Dorsey
- Department of Allergy & Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Diane J Nugent
- Department of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California at Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer M Puck
- Department of Allergy & Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jasjit Singh
- Department of Infectious Disease, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Cathleen A Collins
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy Immunology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy Immunology, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA
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25
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Kreins AY, Maio S, Dhalla F. Inborn errors of thymic stromal cell development and function. Semin Immunopathol 2020; 43:85-100. [PMID: 33257998 PMCID: PMC7925491 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-020-00826-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
As the primary site for T cell development, the thymus is responsible for the production and selection of a functional, yet self-tolerant T cell repertoire. This critically depends on thymic stromal cells, derived from the pharyngeal apparatus during embryogenesis. Thymic epithelial cells, mesenchymal and vascular elements together form the unique and highly specialised microenvironment required to support all aspects of thymopoiesis and T cell central tolerance induction. Although rare, inborn errors of thymic stromal cells constitute a clinically important group of conditions because their immunological consequences, which include autoimmune disease and T cell immunodeficiency, can be life-threatening if unrecognised and untreated. In this review, we describe the molecular and environmental aetiologies of the thymic stromal cell defects known to cause disease in humans, placing particular emphasis on those with a propensity to cause thymic hypoplasia or aplasia and consequently severe congenital immunodeficiency. We discuss the principles underpinning their diagnosis and management, including the use of novel tools to aid in their identification and strategies for curative treatment, principally transplantation of allogeneic thymus tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Y Kreins
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.,Department of Immunology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Stefano Maio
- Developmental Immunology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Fatima Dhalla
- Developmental Immunology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. .,Department of Clinical Immunology, Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford, UK.
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26
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Berkhout A, Preece K, Varghese V, Prasad V, Heussler H, Clark J, Wen SCH. Optimising immunisation in children with 22q11 microdeletion. Ther Adv Vaccines Immunother 2020; 8:2515135520957139. [PMID: 33150298 PMCID: PMC7580130 DOI: 10.1177/2515135520957139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The condition known as 22q11 microdeletion syndrome has a broad phenotypic spectrum, with many affected individuals experiencing mild-to-moderate immunodeficiency. Currently, there are significant variations in live vaccine practices and immunological testing prior to live vaccine administration due to safety concerns and limited established guidelines. METHODS Queensland Children's Hospital (QCH) Child Development Unit, offers a state-wide 22q11 microdeletion clinic. This is a retrospective single-centre review, capturing the majority of children with 22q11 microdeletion in Queensland, Australia. We describe the live vaccination status of 134 children, age 0 to 18 years under our care between 2000 and 2018, adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) and the proportion of children who received additional pneumococcal coverage. An immunological investigation pathway prior to live vaccine administration is proposed. RESULTS Of the 134 children, 124 were eligible for live vaccinations as per the Australian National Immunisation Program: 82% had received dose one of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, 77% had completed MMR dose two and 66% had completed varicella immunisation. There were no AEFI notifications reported. Of the total sample of children, 18% received a fourth dose of conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (Prevenar 7 or 13) and 16% received a dose of Pneumovax 23 from 4 years of age. Immunology workup practices were demonstrated to vary widely prior to live vaccine administration. Most patients' immune profiles were consistent with mild-to-moderate immunodeficiency. CONCLUSION We propose an immunological investigation and vaccination pathway with the aim of providing guidance and consistency to clinicians caring for children with 22q11 microdeletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Berkhout
- The Queensland Children’s Hospital Brisbane, Infection Prevention & Managament, 501 Stanley St, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kahn Preece
- The John Hunter Children’s Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vanil Varghese
- The Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Vinita Prasad
- The Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Helen Heussler
- The Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Julia Clark
- The Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sophie C. H. Wen
- The Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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27
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Otsuki Y, Kobayashi H, Arai Y, Inoue N, Matsubayashi T, Koide M, Yamakawa M. A Patient with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome Presenting with Systemic Skin Rash and Dermatopathic Lymphadenitis of Unusual Histology. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CASE REPORTS 2020; 21:e924961. [PMID: 32843611 PMCID: PMC7476748 DOI: 10.12659/ajcr.924961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Patient: Male, newborn Final Diagnosis: 22q11.2 deletion syndrome Symptoms: Congenital heart disease • eczema Medication:— Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Immunology • Pathology • Pediatrics and Neonatology
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiro Otsuki
- Department of Pathology, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kobayashi
- Department of Pathology, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan.,Department of Pathology, Tachikawa General Hospital, Nagaoka, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Arai
- Department of Pathology, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Nao Inoue
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tadashi Matsubayashi
- Department of Pediatrics, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Masaaki Koide
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Mitsunori Yamakawa
- Department of Pathological Diagnostics, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata City, Yamagata, Japan
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28
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Foukaneli T, Kerr P, Bolton‐Maggs PH, Cardigan R, Coles A, Gennery A, Jane D, Kumararatne D, Manson A, New HV, Torpey N. Guidelines on the use of irradiated blood components. Br J Haematol 2020; 191:704-724. [DOI: 10.1111/bjh.17015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Theodora Foukaneli
- NHS Blood and Transplant Cambridge Cambridge UK
- Department of Haematology Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Cambridge UK
| | - Paul Kerr
- Department of Haematology Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust Exeter UK
| | - Paula H.B. Bolton‐Maggs
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health University of Manchester Manchester UK
- Serious Hazards of Transfusion Office Manchester Blood Centre Manchester UK
| | - Rebecca Cardigan
- Haematology University of Cambridge Cambridge Biomedical Campus Cambridge UK
| | - Alasdair Coles
- Clinical Neuroscience University of Cambridge Cambridge Biomedical Campus Cambridge UK
| | - Andrew Gennery
- Department of Paediatric Immunology Institute of Cellular Medicine Newcastle University Cambridge Newcastle upon Tyne UK
| | - David Jane
- Department of Medicine University of Cambridge Cambridge Biomedical Campus Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - Dinakantha Kumararatne
- Department of Clinical Immunology Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Cambridge UK
| | - Ania Manson
- Department of Clinical Immunology Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Cambridge UK
| | - Helen V. New
- NHS Blood and Transplant London UK
- Department of Haematology Imperial College London London UK
| | - Nicholas Torpey
- Department of Clinical Nephrology and Transplantation Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Cambridge UK
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29
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Giardino G, Borzacchiello C, De Luca M, Romano R, Prencipe R, Cirillo E, Pignata C. T-Cell Immunodeficiencies With Congenital Alterations of Thymic Development: Genes Implicated and Differential Immunological and Clinical Features. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1837. [PMID: 32922396 PMCID: PMC7457079 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Combined Immunodeficiencies (CID) are rare congenital disorders characterized by defective T-cell development that may be associated with B- and NK-cell deficiency. They are usually due to alterations in genes expressed in hematopoietic precursors but in few cases, they are caused by impaired thymic development. Athymia was classically associated with DiGeorge Syndrome due to TBX1 gene haploinsufficiency. Other genes, implicated in thymic organogenesis include FOXN1, associated with Nude SCID syndrome, PAX1, associated with Otofaciocervical Syndrome type 2, and CHD7, one of the genes implicated in CHARGE syndrome. More recently, chromosome 2p11.2 microdeletion, causing FOXI3 haploinsufficiency, has been identified in 5 families with impaired thymus development. In this review, we will summarize the main genetic, clinical, and immunological features related to the abovementioned gene mutations. We will also focus on different therapeutic approaches to treat SCID in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliana Giardino
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Pediatric Section, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Carla Borzacchiello
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Pediatric Section, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Martina De Luca
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Pediatric Section, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Romano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Pediatric Section, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosaria Prencipe
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Pediatric Section, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Emilia Cirillo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Pediatric Section, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio Pignata
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Pediatric Section, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
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30
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Dissecting the regulatory activity and sequence content of loci with exceptional numbers of transcription factor associations. Genome Res 2020; 30:939-950. [PMID: 32616518 PMCID: PMC7397867 DOI: 10.1101/gr.260463.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
DNA-associated proteins (DAPs) classically regulate gene expression by binding to regulatory loci such as enhancers or promoters. As expanding catalogs of genome-wide DAP binding maps reveal thousands of loci that, unlike the majority of conventional enhancers and promoters, associate with dozens of different DAPs with apparently little regard for motif preference, an understanding of DAP association and coordination at such regulatory loci is essential to deciphering how these regions contribute to normal development and disease. In this study, we aggregated publicly available ChIP-seq data from 469 human DAPs assayed in three cell lines and integrated these data with an orthogonal data set of 352 nonredundant, in vitro–derived motifs mapped to the genome within DNase I hypersensitivity footprints to characterize regions with high numbers of DAP associations. We establish a generalizable definition for high occupancy target (HOT) loci and identify putative driver DAP motifs in HepG2 cells, including HNF4A, SP1, SP5, and ETV4, that are highly prevalent and show sequence conservation at HOT loci. The number of different DAPs associated with an element is positively associated with evidence of regulatory activity, and by systematically mutating 245 HOT loci with a massively parallel mutagenesis assay, we localized regulatory activity to a central core region that depends on the motif sequences of our previously nominated driver DAPs. In sum, this work leverages the increasingly large number of DAP motif and ChIP-seq data publicly available to explore how DAP associations contribute to genome-wide transcriptional regulation.
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31
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Legitimo A, Bertini V, Costagliola G, Baroncelli GI, Morganti R, Valetto A, Consolini R. Vitamin D status and the immune assessment in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Clin Exp Immunol 2020; 200:272-286. [PMID: 32149392 PMCID: PMC7231997 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is characterized by a heterogeneous phenotype, including alterations in phospho-calcium metabolism and immunodeficiency. We analyzed vitamin D status and the immune assessment, focusing on T cell subpopulations and dendritic cells (DCs) in a cohort of 17 pediatric 22q11.2DS patients and 17 age-matched healthy subjects. As antigen-presenting cells, DCs are the main target of vitamin D, promoting a tolerogenic T cell response. Patients were subdivided into three groups according to the parameters of phospho-calcium metabolism and serum levels of 25OHD: normal values, vitamin D deficiency and hypoparathyroidism. Different degrees of T cell deficiency, ranging from normal to partial T cell numbers, were observed in the cohort of patients. The group with vitamin D deficiency showed a significant reduction of naive T cells and a significant increase of central memory T cells compared to controls. In this group the number of circulating DCs was significantly reduced. DC decrease affected both myeloid and plasmacytoid DC subsets (mDCs and pDCs), with the most relevant reduction involving pDCs. A direct correlation between 25OHD levels and recent thymic emigrant (RTE) and DC number was identified. Despite the limited cohort analyzed, our results show that deficiency of the pDC subset in patients with 22q11.2DS may be included among the causative factors of the progressive increase of risk of autoimmune diseases in these patients. As most patients suffer from increased susceptibility to infections and heightened prevalence of autoimmune disorders, we suggest a potential role of vitamin D supplementation in preventing autoimmune or proinflammatory diseases in 22q11.2DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Legitimo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of PediatricsUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - V. Bertini
- Department of Medicine of Laboratory, Section of CytogeneticsAzienda Ospedaliero Universitaria PisanaPisaItaly
| | - G. Costagliola
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of PediatricsUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
| | - G. I. Baroncelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of PediatricsAzienda Ospedaliero Universitaria PisanaPisaItaly
| | - R. Morganti
- Section of StatisticsAzienda Ospedaliero Universitaria PisanaPisaItaly
| | - A. Valetto
- Department of Medicine of Laboratory, Section of CytogeneticsAzienda Ospedaliero Universitaria PisanaPisaItaly
| | - R. Consolini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of PediatricsUniversity of PisaPisaItaly
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Abstract
Introduction Microdeletion syndromes may be accompanied by immunological disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and laboratory data as well as the immune functions of patients diagnosed with a microdeletion syndrome. Material and methods 39 patients diagnosed with microdeletion syndrome who were monitored at the Pediatric Genetics and Immunology clinics at Dr. Behcet Uz Children’s Hospital were included in this study. All data for this research were obtained from patient records and by individual consultation with their parents. Results Of the 39 patients, 15 were monitored for a diagnosis of Williams syndrome, 12 for DiGeorge syndrome, 4 for Prader-Willi syndrome, 2 for Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, 1 for a 1p36 deletion, 1 for Smith-Magenis syndrome, 2 for Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type 2 (TRPS2), and 2 for Cri-du-chat syndrome. Of these 39 patients, 10 (25.6%) had a medical history of frequent upper respiratory tract infections. One of the cases with TRPS2 and another with Smith-Magenis syndrome had previously received intravenous antibiotic therapy for infectious disease. Five of the 12 patients with DiGeorge syndrome had low T lymphocytes. Two of the patients with DiGeorge syndrome with a history of frequent infections, with hypogammaglobinemia, and low lymphocytes were receiving regular intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) replacement. Conclusions It must be taken into account that patients with microdeletion syndromes, especially those with DiGeorge syndrome, may also have immunodeficiencies; therefore, these patients should be closely monitored to prevent development of any complications.
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Bhalla P, Wysocki CA, van Oers NSC. Molecular Insights Into the Causes of Human Thymic Hypoplasia With Animal Models. Front Immunol 2020; 11:830. [PMID: 32431714 PMCID: PMC7214791 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
22q11.2 deletion syndrome (DiGeorge), CHARGE syndrome, Nude/SCID and otofaciocervical syndrome type 2 (OTFCS2) are distinct clinical conditions in humans that can result in hypoplasia and occasionally, aplasia of the thymus. Thymic hypoplasia/aplasia is first suggested by absence or significantly reduced numbers of recent thymic emigrants, revealed in standard-of-care newborn screens for T cell receptor excision circles (TRECs). Subsequent clinical assessments will often indicate whether genetic mutations are causal to the low T cell output from the thymus. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to the thymic hypoplasia/aplasia in diverse human syndromes are not fully understood, partly because the problems of the thymus originate during embryogenesis. Rodent and Zebrafish models of these clinical syndromes have been used to better define the underlying basis of the clinical presentations. Results from these animal models are uncovering contributions of different cell types in the specification, differentiation, and expansion of the thymus. Cell populations such as epithelial cells, mesenchymal cells, endothelial cells, and thymocytes are variably affected depending on the human syndrome responsible for the thymic hypoplasia. In the current review, findings from the diverse animal models will be described in relation to the clinical phenotypes. Importantly, these results are suggesting new strategies for regenerating thymic tissue in patients with distinct congenital disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratibha Bhalla
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Christian A. Wysocki
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Nicolai S. C. van Oers
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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Grinde D, Øverland T, Lima K, Schjalm C, Mollnes TE, Abrahamsen TG. Complement Activation in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. J Clin Immunol 2020; 40:515-523. [PMID: 32152940 PMCID: PMC7142058 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-020-00766-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2 del), also known as DiGeorge syndrome, is a genetic disorder with an estimated incidence of 1:3000 to 1:6000 births. These patients may suffer from affection of many organ systems with cardiac malformations, immunodeficiency, hypoparathyroidism, autoimmunity, palate anomalies, and psychiatric disorders being the most frequent. The importance of the complement system in 22q11.2 del has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the complement system in relation to clinical and immunological parameters in patients. A national cohort of patients (n = 69) with a proven heterozygous deletion of chromosome 22q11.2 and a group of age and sex matched controls (n = 56) were studied. Functional capacity of the classical, lectin, and alternative pathways of the complement system as well as complement activation products C3bc and terminal complement complex (TCC) were accessed and correlated to clinical features. All patients in our study had normal complement activation in both classical and alternative pathways. The frequency of mannose-binding lectin deficiency was comparable to the normal population. The patients had significantly raised plasma levels of C3bc and a slight, but not significant, increase in TCC compared with controls. This increase was associated with the presence of psychiatric disorders in patients. The present study shows no complement deficiencies in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. On the contrary, there are signs of increased complement activation in these patients. Complement activation is particularly associated with the presence of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Grinde
- Department of Pediatric Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Torstein Øverland
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kari Lima
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Endocrinology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Camilla Schjalm
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tom Eirik Mollnes
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Research Laboratory, Nordland Hospital, Bodø, and K.G. Jebsen TREC, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway.,Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Tore G Abrahamsen
- Center for Rare Diseases, Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells toward pharyngeal endoderm derivatives: Current status and potential. Curr Top Dev Biol 2020; 138:175-208. [PMID: 32220297 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2020.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The pharyngeal apparatus, a transient embryological structure, includes diverse cells from all three germ layers that ultimately contribute to a variety of adult tissues. In particular, pharyngeal endoderm produces cells of the inner ear, palatine tonsils, the thymus, parathyroid and thyroid glands, and ultimobranchial bodies. Each of these structures and organs contribute to vital human physiological processes, including central immune tolerance (thymus) and metabolic homeostasis (parathyroid and thyroid glands, and ultimobranchial bodies). Thus, improper development or damage to pharyngeal endoderm derivatives leads to complicated and severe human maladies, such as autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, hypothyroidism, and/or hypoparathyroidism. To study and treat such diseases, we can utilize human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), which differentiate into functionally mature cells in vitro given the proper developmental signals. Here, we discuss current efforts regarding the directed differentiation of hPSCs toward pharyngeal endoderm derivatives. We further discuss model system and therapeutic applications of pharyngeal endoderm cell types produced from hPSCs. Finally, we provide suggestions for improving hPSC differentiation approaches to pharyngeal endoderm derivatives with emphasis on current single cell-omics and 3D culture system technologies.
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Hoyos-Bachiloglu R, Gallo S, Vizcaya C, Zuñiga P, Valbuena JR, Casanova JL, Bustamante J, Borzutzky A. Disseminated Mycobacterial Disease in a Patient with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: Case Report and Review of the Literature. J Clin Immunol 2019; 39:743-746. [PMID: 31385124 PMCID: PMC7159191 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-019-00678-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Hoyos-Bachiloglu
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Diagonal Paraguay 362 octavo piso, 8330077, Santiago, Chile
| | - Silvanna Gallo
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Diagonal Paraguay 362 octavo piso, 8330077, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cecilia Vizcaya
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Diagonal Paraguay 362 octavo piso, 8330077, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pamela Zuñiga
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Section, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - José R Valbuena
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jean Laurent Casanova
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, INSERM U1163, Necker Hospital for Sick Children, Paris, France
- Imagine Institute, Paris University, Paris, France
- St Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller Branch, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
- Pediatric Hematology-Immunology Unit, AP-HP, Necker Hospital for Sick Children, Paris, France
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jacinta Bustamante
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, INSERM U1163, Necker Hospital for Sick Children, Paris, France
- Imagine Institute, Paris University, Paris, France
- St Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller Branch, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
- Study Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Necker Children Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Arturo Borzutzky
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Diagonal Paraguay 362 octavo piso, 8330077, Santiago, Chile.
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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Clinical and immunological features in a cohort of patients with partial DiGeorge syndrome followed at a single center. Blood 2019; 133:2586-2596. [PMID: 31015189 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2018885244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by various degrees of T-cell deficiency. In partial DGS (pDGS), other risk factors could predispose to recurrent infections, autoimmunity, and allergy. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different factors in the development of infections, autoimmunity, and/or allergy in patients with pDGS. We studied 467 pDGS patients in follow-up at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Using a multivariate approach, we observed that palatal anomalies represent a risk factor for the development of recurrent otitis media with effusion. Gastroesophageal reflux/dysphagia and asthma/rhinitis represent a risk factor for the development of recurrent upper respiratory tract infections. Allergy and autoimmunity were associated with persistently low immunoglobulin M levels and lymphopenia, respectively. Patients with autoimmunity showed lower levels of CD3+, CD3+CD4+, and naïve CD4+CD45RA+CD27+ T lymphocytes compared with pDGS patients without autoimmunity. We also observed that the physiological age-related decline of the T-cell number was slower in pDGS patients compared with age-matched controls. The age-related recovery of the T-cell number depended on a homeostatic peripheral proliferation of T cells, as suggested by an accelerated decline of the naïve T lymphocytes in pDGS as well as a more skewed T-cell repertoire in older pDGS patients. These evidences suggest that premature CD4+ T-cell aging and lymphopenia induced spontaneous peripheral T-cell proliferation might contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmunity in patients with pDGS. Infections in these patients represent, in most of the cases, a complication of anatomical or gastroenterological anomalies rather than a feature of the underlying immunodeficiency.
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Montin D, Marolda A, Licciardi F, Robasto F, Di Cesare S, Ricotti E, Ferro F, Scaioli G, Giancotta C, Amodio D, Conti F, Giardino G, Leonardi L, Ricci S, Volpi S, Baselli LA, Azzari C, Bossi G, Consolini R, Dellepiane RM, Duse M, Gattorno M, Martire B, Putti MC, Soresina A, Plebani A, Ramenghi U, Martino S, Pignata C, Cancrini C. Immunophenotype Anomalies Predict the Development of Autoimmune Cytopenia in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2019; 7:2369-2376. [PMID: 30922987 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2019.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) may develop severe thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic anemia. There are no reliable predictors for the development of hematologic autoimmunity (HA) in these patients. OBJECTIVE To describe the peculiar B and T subpopulation defects in patients with 22q11DS who have developed HA and test if these defects precede the development of HA. METHODS We performed a case-control multicenter study. Patients with HA were compared with a control population of 22q11.2DS without HA (non-HA). A complete immunological evaluation was performed at diagnosis and at the last follow-up including extensive T and B phenotypes. RESULTS Immunophenotype at the last follow-up was available in 23 HA and 45 non-HA patients. HA patients had significantly decreased percentage of naïve CD4+ cells (26.8% vs 43.2%, P = .003) and recent thymic emigrants (48.6% vs 80.5%, P = .046); decreased class-switched B cells (2.0% vs 5.9%, P = .04) and increased naive B cells (83.5% vs 71.4%, P = .02); increased CD16+/56+ both in absolute number (312 vs 199, P = .009) and percentage (20.0% vs 13.0%, P = .03). Immunophenotype was performed in 36 patients (11 HA and 25 non-HA) at diagnosis. Odds ratio (OR) of immune cytopenia were estimated for both CD4 naïve ≤30% (OR 14.0, P = .002) and switched memory B cells ≤2% (OR 44.0, P = .01). The estimated survival curves reached statistical significance, respectively, P = .0001 and P = .002. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with 22q11.2DS, those with HA have characteristic lymphocyte anomalies that appear considerably before HA onset. Systematic immunophenotyping of patients with 22q11.2DS at diagnosis is advisable for early identification of patients at risk for this severe complication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Montin
- Division of Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, "Regina Margherita" Children Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Agostina Marolda
- Division of Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, "Regina Margherita" Children Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Department of Health Sciences, A. Avogadro University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Francesco Licciardi
- Division of Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, "Regina Margherita" Children Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Francesca Robasto
- Division of Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, "Regina Margherita" Children Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Cesare
- University Department of Pediatrics, Unit of Immune and Infectious Diseases, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuela Ricotti
- Division of Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, "Regina Margherita" Children Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Ferro
- Division of Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, "Regina Margherita" Children Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Division of Microbiology and Virology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy
| | - Giacomo Scaioli
- Department of Public Health, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Carmela Giancotta
- University Department of Pediatrics, Unit of Immune and Infectious Diseases, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Donato Amodio
- University Department of Pediatrics, Unit of Immune and Infectious Diseases, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Conti
- University Department of Pediatrics, Unit of Immune and Infectious Diseases, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuliana Giardino
- Department of Pediatrics, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Leonardi
- Department of Pediatrics, La Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Ricci
- Division of Immunology, Section of Pediatrics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence and Anna Meyer Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefano Volpi
- Pediatric and Rheumatology Clinic, Center for Autoinflammatory Diseases and Immunodeficiencies, Istituto Giannina Gaslini and University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lucia Augusta Baselli
- Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Azzari
- Division of Immunology, Section of Pediatrics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence and Anna Meyer Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Grazia Bossi
- Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Rita Consolini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Dellepiane
- Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Marzia Duse
- Department of Pediatrics, La Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Gattorno
- Pediatric and Rheumatology Clinic, Center for Autoinflammatory Diseases and Immunodeficiencies, Istituto Giannina Gaslini and University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Baldassarre Martire
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit, "Policlinico-Giovanni XXIII" Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Caterina Putti
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Azienda Ospedaliera-University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Annarosa Soresina
- Pediatrics Clinic and Institute of Molecular Medicine "A. Nocivelli," University and Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Plebani
- Pediatrics Clinic and Institute of Molecular Medicine "A. Nocivelli," University and Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Ugo Ramenghi
- Division of Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, "Regina Margherita" Children Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Silvana Martino
- Division of Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, "Regina Margherita" Children Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Claudio Pignata
- Department of Pediatrics, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Caterina Cancrini
- University Department of Pediatrics, Unit of Immune and Infectious Diseases, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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Marcovecchio GE, Bortolomai I, Ferrua F, Fontana E, Imberti L, Conforti E, Amodio D, Bergante S, Macchiarulo G, D'Oria V, Conti F, Di Cesare S, Fousteri G, Carotti A, Giamberti A, Poliani PL, Notarangelo LD, Cancrini C, Villa A, Bosticardo M. Thymic Epithelium Abnormalities in DiGeorge and Down Syndrome Patients Contribute to Dysregulation in T Cell Development. Front Immunol 2019; 10:447. [PMID: 30949166 PMCID: PMC6436073 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The thymus plays a fundamental role in establishing and maintaining central and peripheral tolerance and defects in thymic architecture or AIRE expression result in the development of autoreactive lymphocytes. Patients with partial DiGeorge Syndrome (pDGS) and Down Syndrome (DS) present alterations in size and architecture of the thymus and higher risk to develop autoimmunity. We sought to evaluate thymic architecture and thymocyte development in DGS and DS patients and to determine the extent to which thymic defects result in immune dysregulation and T cell homeostasis perturbation in these patients. Thymi from pediatric patients and age-matched controls were obtained to evaluate cortex and medullary compartments, AIRE expression and thymocyte development. In the same patients we also characterized immunophenotype of peripheral T cells. Phenotypic and functional characterization of thymic and peripheral regulatory T (Treg) cells was finally assessed. Histologic analysis revealed peculiar alterations in thymic medulla size and maturation in DGS and DS patients. Perturbed distribution of thymocytes and altered thymic output was also observed. DGS patients showed lower mature CD4+ and CD8+ T cell frequency, associated with reduced proportion and function of Tregs both in thymus and peripheral blood. DS patients showed increased frequency of single positive (SP) thymocytes and thymic Treg cells. However, Tregs isolated both from thymus and peripheral blood of DS patients showed reduced suppressive ability. Our results provide novel insights on thymic defects associated with DGS and DS and their impact on peripheral immune dysregulation. Indeed, thymic abnormalities and defect in thymocyte development, in particular in Treg cell number and function could contribute in the pathogenesis of the immunodysregulation present in pDGS and in DS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genni Enza Marcovecchio
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells and Gene Therapy, Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Ileana Bortolomai
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells and Gene Therapy, Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,The Milan Unit, Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Ferrua
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells and Gene Therapy, Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.,Pediatric Immunohematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Fontana
- The Milan Unit, Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Milan, Italy.,Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Imberti
- Laboratorio CREA (Centro di Ricerca Emato-oncologica AIL), ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Erika Conforti
- Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, IRCCS San Donato Milanese Hospital, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy
| | - Donato Amodio
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,University Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sonia Bergante
- Laboratory of Stem Cells for Tissue Engineering, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Macchiarulo
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,University Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica D'Oria
- Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, IRCCS San Donato Milanese Hospital, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Conti
- University Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Cesare
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Georgia Fousteri
- Division of Immunology Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Diabetes Research Institute, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Adriano Carotti
- Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, IRCCS Bambino Gesú Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giamberti
- Department of Congenital Cardiac Surgery, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Luigi Poliani
- Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luigi D Notarangelo
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, IDGS, DIR, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Caterina Cancrini
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,University Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Villa
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells and Gene Therapy, Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,The Milan Unit, Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Milan, Italy
| | - Marita Bosticardo
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells and Gene Therapy, Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, IDGS, DIR, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Iio K, Kabata D, Iio R, Imai Y, Hatanaka M, Omori H, Hoshida Y, Saeki Y, Shintani A, Hamano T, Isaka Y, Ando Y. Parathyroid hormone and premature thymus ageing in patients with chronic kidney disease. Sci Rep 2019; 9:813. [PMID: 30692566 PMCID: PMC6349929 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37511-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Premature immune ageing, including thymic atrophy, is observed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), which are mineral and bone disorder (MBD)-related factors, affect immune cells and possibly cause thymic atrophy. We examined the cross-sectional association between thymic atrophy, evaluated as the number of CD3+CD4+CD45RA+CD31+ cells [recent thymic emigrants (RTE)/μL], and MBD-related factors [(serum PTH, FGF23, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level] in 125 patients with non-dialysis dependent CKD. Median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 17 mL/min/1.73 m2. Older age (r = −0.46), male sex (r = −0.34), lower eGFR (r = 0.27), lower serum-corrected calcium (r = 0.27), higher PTH (r = −0.36), and higher ALP level (r = −0.20) were identified as determinants of lower number of RTE. In contrast, serum concentrations of FGF23 and phosphorus were not correlated with RTE. Multivariate non-linear regression analysis indicated a negative association between serum PTH and log-transformed RTE (P = 0.030, P for non-linearity = 0.124). However, the serum levels of FGF23 and ALP were not associated with RTE. In patients with CKD, serum PTH concentrations were related to thymic atrophy which contributes to immune abnormality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenichiro Iio
- Department of Nephrology, National Hospital Organization Osaka Minami Medical Center, Kawachinagano, Japan.
| | - Daijiro Kabata
- Department of Medical Statistics, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Rei Iio
- Department of Kidney Disease and Hypertension, Osaka General Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yosuke Imai
- Department of Nephrology, National Hospital Organization Osaka Minami Medical Center, Kawachinagano, Japan
| | - Masaki Hatanaka
- Department of Nephrology, National Hospital Organization Osaka Minami Medical Center, Kawachinagano, Japan
| | - Hiroki Omori
- Department of Nephrology, National Hospital Organization Osaka Minami Medical Center, Kawachinagano, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Hoshida
- Department of Pathology, National Hospital Organization Osaka Minami Medical Center, Kawachinagano, Japan
| | - Yukihiko Saeki
- Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Osaka Minami Medical Center, Kawachinagano, Japan
| | - Ayumi Shintani
- Department of Medical Statistics, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takayuki Hamano
- Department of Inter-Organ Communication Research in Kidney Disease, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Isaka
- Department of Nephrology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Yutaka Ando
- Department of Nephrology, National Hospital Organization Osaka Minami Medical Center, Kawachinagano, Japan
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41
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Abstract
This review briefly describes the last decades of experimental work on the thymus. Given the histological complexity of this organ, the multiple embryological origins of its cellular components and its role in carefully regulating T lymphocyte maturation and function, methods to dissect and understand this complexity have been developed through the years. The possibility to study ex vivo the thymus organ function has been achieved by developing Fetal Thymus Organ Cultures (FTOC). Subsequently, the combination of organ disaggregation and reaggregation in vitro represented by Reaggregate Thymus Organ cultures (RTOC) allowed mixing cellular components from different genetic backgrounds. Moreover, RTOC allowed dissecting the different stromal and hematological components to study the interactions between Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules and the T-cell receptors during thymocytes selection. In more recent years, prospective isolation of stromal cells and thymocytes at different stages of development made it possible to explore and elucidate the molecular and cellular players in both the developing and adult thymus. Finally, the appearance of novel cell sources such as embryonic stem (ES) cells and more recently induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has opened new scenarios in modelling thymus development and regeneration strategies. Most of the work described was carried out in rodents and the current challenge is to develop equivalent or even more informative assays and tools in entirely human model systems.
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Kuo CY, Signer R, Saitta SC. Immune and Genetic Features of the Chromosome 22q11.2 Deletion (DiGeorge Syndrome). Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2018; 18:75. [PMID: 30377837 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-018-0823-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review provides an update on the progress in identifying the range of immunological dysfunction seen in DiGeorge syndrome and on more recent diagnostic and treatment approaches. RECENT FINDINGS Clinically, the associated thymic hypoplasia/aplasia is well known and can have profound effects on T cell function. Further, the humoral arm of the immune system can be affected, with hypogammaglobulinemia and poor vaccine-specific antibody response. Additionally, genetic testing utilizing chromosomal microarray demonstrates a small but significant number of 22q11 deletions that are not detectable by standard FISH testing. The recent addition of a TREC assay to newborn screening can identify a subset of infants whose severe immune defects may result from 22q11 deletion. This initial presentation now also places the immunologist in the role of "first responder" with regard to diagnosis and management of these patients. DiGeorge syndrome reflects a clinical phenotype now recognized by its underlying genetic diagnosis, chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, which is associated with multisystem involvement and variable immune defects among patients. Updated genetic and molecular techniques now allow for earlier identification of immune defects and confirmatory diagnoses, in this disorder with life-long clinical issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Y Kuo
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology and Rheumatology, Mattel Children's Hospital, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rebecca Signer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Mattel Children's Hospital, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sulagna C Saitta
- Department of Pathology, Division of Genomic Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, USC Keck School of Medicine, 4650 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA. .,Center for Personalized Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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43
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Klocperk A, Paračková Z, Bloomfield M, Rataj M, Pokorný J, Unger S, Warnatz K, Šedivá A. Follicular Helper T Cells in DiGeorge Syndrome. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1730. [PMID: 30083170 PMCID: PMC6065053 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
DiGeorge syndrome is an immunodeficiency characterized by thymic dysplasia resulting in T cell lymphopenia. Most patients suffer from increased susceptibility to infections and heightened prevalence of autoimmune disorders, such as autoimmune thrombocytopenia. B cells in DiGeorge syndrome show impaired maturation, with low switched-memory B cells and a wide spectrum of antibody deficiencies or dysgammaglobulinemia, presumably due to impaired germinal center responses. We set out to evaluate circulating follicular helper T cells (cTFHs) in DiGeorge syndrome, as markers of T–B interaction in the germinal centers in a cohort of 17 patients with partial DiGeorge and 21 healthy controls of similar age. cTFHs were characterized as CXCR5+CD45RA− CD4+ T cells using flow cytometry. We verify previous findings that the population of memory CD4+ T cells is relatively increased in diGeorge patients, corresponding to low naïve T cells and impaired T cell production in the thymus. The population of CXCR5+ memory CD4+ T cells (cTFHs) was significantly expanded in patients with DiGeorge syndrome, but only healthy controls and not DiGeorge syndrome patients showed gradual increase of CXCR5 expression on cTFHs with age. We did not observe correlation between cTFHs and serum IgG levels or population of switched memory B cells. There was no difference in cTFH numbers between DiGeorge patients with/without thrombocytopenia and with/without allergy. Interestingly, we show strong decline of PD1 expression on cTFHs in the first 5 years of life in DiGeorge patients and healthy controls, and gradual increase of PD1 and ICOS expression on CD4− T cells in healthy controls later in life. Thus, here, we show that patients with DiGeorge syndrome have elevated numbers of cTFHs, which, however, do not correlate with autoimmunity, allergy, or production of immunoglobulins. This relative expansion of cTFH cells may be a result of impaired T cell development in patients with thymic dysplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Klocperk
- Department of Immunology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia.,Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Zuzana Paračková
- Department of Immunology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Markéta Bloomfield
- Department of Immunology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Michal Rataj
- Department of Immunology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jan Pokorný
- Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Susanne Unger
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Klaus Warnatz
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Anna Šedivá
- Department of Immunology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
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Zhao G, Liu J, Meng T. Correlation Between the Thymic-Thoracic Ratio and Cardiac Axis in Healthy Fetuses. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2018; 37:1173-1178. [PMID: 29064117 DOI: 10.1002/jum.14463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the thymic-thoracic ratio and cardiac axis in healthy fetuses. METHODS The fetal thymic-thoracic ratio and cardiac axis were measured in 220 healthy fetuses. The normal ranges of the fetal thymic-thoracic ratio and cardiac axis for each gestational week were established. The Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated to analyze the relationship between the thymic-thoracic ratio and cardiac axis. RESULTS The mean fetal thymic-thoracic ratio increased slightly throughout the pregnancy, from 0.33 at 17 weeks' gestation to 0.37 at 37 weeks. No statistically significant correlation was found between the thymic-thoracic ratio and cardiac axis in healthy fetuses. CONCLUSIONS In healthy fetuses, the thymus occupies an increasingly larger portion of the upper mediastinum when the pregnancy advances. The cardiac axis is not affected by the thymic-thoracic ratio in healthy fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Tao Meng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Nabekura T, Chen Z, Schroeder C, Park T, Vivier E, Lanier LL, Liu D. Crk Adaptor Proteins Regulate NK Cell Expansion and Differentiation during Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 200:3420-3428. [PMID: 29618525 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer cells are critical in the immune response to infection and malignancy. Prior studies have demonstrated that Crk family proteins can influence cell apoptosis, proliferation, and cell transformation. In this study, we investigated the role of Crk family proteins in mouse NK cell differentiation and host defense using a mouse CMV infection model. The number of NK cells, maturational state, and the majority of the NKR repertoire was similar in Crk x Crk-like (CrkL)-double-deficient and wild type NK cells. However, Crk family proteins were required for optimal activation, IFN-γ production, expansion, and differentiation of Ly49H+ NK cells, as well as host defense during mouse CMV infection. The diminished function of Crk x CrkL-double-deficient NK cells correlated with decreased phosphorylation of STAT4 and STAT1 in response to IL-12 and IFN-α stimulation, respectively. Together, our findings analyzing NK cell-specific Crk-deficient mice provide insights into the role of Crk family proteins in NK cell function and host defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsukasa Nabekura
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143.,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94143.,Life Science Center, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Zhiying Chen
- Center for Inflammation and Epigenetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Casey Schroeder
- Center for Inflammation and Epigenetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Taeju Park
- Children's Research Institute, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108
| | - Eric Vivier
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, CNRS, 13288 Marseille, France.,Service d'Immunologie, Hôpital de la Timone, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, 13288 Marseille, France; and
| | - Lewis L Lanier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143; .,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Dongfang Liu
- Center for Inflammation and Epigenetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030; .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065
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46
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Abstract
Proper regulation of the immune system is required for protection against pathogens and preventing autoimmune disorders. Inborn errors of the immune system due to inherited or de novo germline mutations can lead to the loss of protective immunity, aberrant immune homeostasis, and the development of autoimmune disease, or combinations of these. Forward genetic screens involving clinical material from patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) can vary in severity from life-threatening disease affecting multiple cell types and organs to relatively mild disease with susceptibility to a limited range of pathogens or mild autoimmune conditions. As central mediators of innate and adaptive immune responses, T cells are critical orchestrators and effectors of the immune response. As such, several PIDs result from loss of or altered T cell function. PID-associated functional defects range from complete absence of T cell development to uncontrolled effector cell activation. Furthermore, the gene products of known PID causal genes are involved in diverse molecular pathways ranging from T cell receptor signaling to regulators of protein glycosylation. Identification of the molecular and biochemical cause of PIDs can not only guide the course of treatment for patients, but also inform our understanding of the basic biology behind T cell function. In this chapter, we review PIDs with known genetic causes that intrinsically affect T cell function with particular focus on perturbations of biochemical pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A Comrie
- Molecular Development of the Immune System Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Clinical Genomics Program, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Michael J Lenardo
- Molecular Development of the Immune System Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Clinical Genomics Program, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States.
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47
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Ross S, Cheung M, Lau CI, Sebire N, Burch M, Kilbride P, Fuller B, Morris GJ, Davies EG, Crompton T. Transplanted human thymus slices induce and support T-cell development in mice after cryopreservation. Eur J Immunol 2018; 48:716-719. [PMID: 29318612 PMCID: PMC5947170 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201747193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Nude mouse human thymus transplant model: Fresh or cryopreserved and thawed human thymus slices were transplanted subcutaneously into recipient nude mice. Nude mice subsequently produced mouse CD3+ CD4+ T-cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Ross
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Melissa Cheung
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Ching-In Lau
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | | | | | - Peter Kilbride
- Asymptote Ltd, Sovereign House, Vision Park, Cambridge, UK
| | - Barry Fuller
- UCL Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, Royal Free Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - G John Morris
- Asymptote Ltd, Sovereign House, Vision Park, Cambridge, UK
| | - E Graham Davies
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.,Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Tessa Crompton
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
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48
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Maldjian P, Sanders AE. 22q11 Deletion Syndrome with Vascular Anomalies. J Clin Imaging Sci 2018; 8:1. [PMID: 29441224 PMCID: PMC5801571 DOI: 10.4103/jcis.jcis_66_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
DiGeorge syndrome, also termed 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, represents a spectrum of disorders that include thymic aplasia/hypoplasia, parathyroid aplasia/hypoplasia, conotruncal vascular anomalies, and velocardiofacial (Shprintzen) syndrome. This case report describes a novel constellation of cardiovascular anomalies in a 31-year-old patient with 22q11.2 deletion confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization at the age of 24. CT angiogram of the thorax revealed a right aortic arch with mirror image branching and unilateral absence of the left pulmonary artery with collateral flow through left intercostal arteries and hypertrophied left bronchial artery. This particular cluster of vascular findings has not been previously described in the imaging literature in a patient with known 22q11.2 deletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Maldjian
- Department of Radiology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
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49
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Abstract
Breast feeding has been associated with improved infant outcomes in multiple aspects, including immune outcomes such as infections and potentially atopy and autoimmunity. However associations do not necessarily implicate cause and effect and at this point, exactly how breast feeding and components of breast milk may modulate the infant's immune compartment remains unclear, especially in humans. Some lines of evidence suggest that breastfeeding affects the development of the infant's thymus, a critical organ for T cell development. This may be a direct effect mediated by breast milk components or alternatively, a secondary effect from the impact of breast feeding on the infant's gut microbiome. Here we discuss the potential mechanisms and impact of this association between breast feeding and thymic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S Hsu
- Allergy and Immunology, Kids Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ralph Nanan
- Charles Perkins Centre Nepean, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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50
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The significance of neonatal thymectomy for shaping the immune system in children with congenital heart defects. POLISH JOURNAL OF THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY 2017; 14:258-262. [PMID: 29354179 PMCID: PMC5767777 DOI: 10.5114/kitp.2017.72231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The thymus plays an important role in the development of the immune cell pool; it serves as the primary location for T-lymphocyte maturation. Early cardiac surgical interventions for congenital heart defects are necessarily associated with thymectomy, i.e. the partial or complete removal of the thymus. A newborn infant already has a functioning thymus and developed cells of the immune system. However, thymectomy eliminates the primary location where T cells differentiate and mature. This study summarizes the current knowledge of the cellular disturbances and potential clinical consequences associated with performing thymectomy in children treated surgically for congenital heart defects.
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