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Moses A, Bhalla P, Thompson A, Lai L, Coskun FS, Seroogy CM, de la Morena MT, Wysocki CA, van Oers NSC. Comprehensive phenotypic analysis of diverse FOXN1 variants. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 152:1273-1291.e15. [PMID: 37419334 PMCID: PMC11071152 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thymus hypoplasia due to stromal cell problems has been linked to mutations in several transcription factors, including Forkhead box N1 (FOXN1). FOXN1 supports T-cell development by regulating the formation and expansion of thymic epithelial cells (TECs). While autosomal recessive FOXN1 mutations result in a nude and severe combined immunodeficiency phenotype, the impact of single-allelic or compound heterozygous FOXN1 mutations is less well-defined. OBJECTIVE With more than 400 FOXN1 mutations reported, their impact on protein function and thymopoiesis remains unclear for most variants. We developed a systematic approach to delineate the functional impact of diverse FOXN1 variants. METHODS Selected FOXN1 variants were tested with transcriptional reporter assays and imaging studies. Thymopoiesis was assessed in mouse lines genocopying several human FOXN1 variants. Reaggregate thymus organ cultures were used to compare the thymopoietic potential of the FOXN1 variants. RESULTS FOXN1 variants were categorized into benign, loss- or gain-of-function, and/or dominant-negatives. Dominant negative activities mapped to frameshift variants impacting the transactivation domain. A nuclear localization signal was mapped within the DNA binding domain. Thymopoiesis analyses with mouse models and reaggregate thymus organ cultures revealed distinct consequences of particular Foxn1 variants on T-cell development. CONCLUSIONS The potential effect of a FOXN1 variant on T-cell output from the thymus may relate to its effects on transcriptional activity, nuclear localization, and/or dominant negative functions. A combination of functional assays and thymopoiesis comparisons enabled a categorization of diverse FOXN1 variants and their potential impact on T-cell output from the thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Moses
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex
| | - Pratibha Bhalla
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex
| | - Austin Thompson
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex
| | - Laijun Lai
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Conn
| | - Fatma S Coskun
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex
| | - Christine M Seroogy
- the Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis
| | - Maria Teresa de la Morena
- the Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Wash
| | - Christian A Wysocki
- Departments of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex; Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex
| | - Nicolai S C van Oers
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex; Departments of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex; Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex.
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2
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Abstract
Improved genetic testing has led to recognition of a diverse group of disorders of inborn errors of immunity that present as primarily T-cell defects. These disorders present with variable degrees of immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, multiple organ system dysfunction, and neurocognitive defects. 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, commonly known as DiGeorge syndrome, represents the most common disorder on this spectrum. In most individuals, a 3 Mb deletion of 22q11 results in haploinsufficiency of 90 known genes and clinical complications of varying severity. These include cardiac, endocrine, gastrointestinal, renal, palatal, genitourinary, and neurocognitive anomalies. Multidisciplinary treatment also includes pediatrics/general practitioners, genetic counseling, surgery, interventional therapy, and psychology/psychiatry. Chromosome 10p deletion, TBX1 mutation, CHD7 mutation, Jacobsen syndrome, and FOXN1 deficiency manifest with similar overlapping clinical presentations and T-cell defects. Recognition of the underlying disorder and pathogenesis is essential for improved outcomes. Diagnosing and treating these heterogenous conditions are a challenge and rapidly improving with new diagnostic tools. Collectively, these disorders are an example of the complex penetrance and severity of genetic disorders, importance of translational diagnostics, and a guide for multidisciplinary treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Urschel
- Department of Medical Education, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami, FL, USA. .,Division of Allergy and Immunology, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami, FL, USA. .,Allergy and Immunology Care Center of South Florida, Miami Lakes, FL, USA.
| | - Vivian P Hernandez-Trujillo
- Department of Medical Education, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami, FL, USA.,Division of Allergy and Immunology, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami, FL, USA.,Allergy and Immunology Care Center of South Florida, Miami Lakes, FL, USA
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3
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Nakagawara K, Chubachi S, Azekawa S, Otake S, Saito A, Okada M, Lee K, Masaki K, Koike N, Kamata H, Kawada I, Suzuki S, Ishii M, Fukunaga K. Thymoma-associated T-cell immunodeficiency after radiotherapy: A case report. Respir Med Case Rep 2021; 33:101408. [PMID: 34401256 PMCID: PMC8348523 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Acquired immunodeficiency in thymoma (Good's syndrome) without hypogammaglobulinemia is a rare condition. Here we describe the case of a 29-year-old Japanese woman with thymoma-associated T cell immunodeficiency after radiation therapy. She was admitted to the hospital with refractory pneumonia, which resulted from as T cell immunodeficiency, as revealed through low peripheral lymphocytes and oral candidiasis triggered through radiotherapy and required long-term antimicrobial therapy. Although radiotherapy is commonly administered for thymoma, our findings suggest that physicians should consider carrying out lymphocyte counts during thymoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kensuke Nakagawara
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shotaro Chubachi
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Corresponding author. Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan.
| | - Shuhei Azekawa
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shiro Otake
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayaka Saito
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiko Okada
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ko Lee
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsunori Masaki
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoyoshi Koike
- Department of Radiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Kamata
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ichiro Kawada
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeaki Suzuki
- Division of Neurology Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Ishii
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi Fukunaga
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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4
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Islam N, Krajden M, Gilbert M, Gustafson P, Yu A, Kuo M, Chong M, Alvarez M, Wong J, Tyndall MW, Janjua NZ. Role of primary T-cell immunodeficiency and hepatitis B coinfection on spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C: The BC Hepatitis Testers Cohort. J Viral Hepat 2017; 24:421-429. [PMID: 27885757 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 10/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
T-cell host immune response against hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been suggested to play an important role in determining HCV infection outcome. However, data from human studies are not available. This study examined the effect of primary T-cell deficiency along with other factors on the spontaneous clearance of HCV in a large population-based cohort in British Columbia, Canada. The BC Hepatitis Testers Cohort includes all individuals tested for HCV in BC in 1990-2013 linked with data on their medical visits, hospitalizations and prescription drugs. HCV-positive individuals with at least one valid HCV PCR test on/after HCV diagnosis (n=46 783) were included in this study. To examine factors associated with the spontaneous clearance of HCV, multivariable logistic regression was fitted on the full sample, and Cox proportional hazards model on the HCV seroconverters. Spontaneous clearance was observed in 25.1% (n=11 737) of those tested for HCV. After adjusting for potential confounders, the odds of spontaneous clearance of HCV was lower in people with primary T-cell immunodeficiency (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.32-0.94), and higher in females (aOR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.54-1.68) and in those coinfected with HBV (aOR: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.93-2.77). Similar results were observed in HCV seroconverters except HBV coinfection was not significant. In conclusion, primary T-cell immunodeficiency is associated with a lower spontaneous clearance of HCV while female sex and coinfection with HBV are associated with a higher spontaneous clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Islam
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - M Krajden
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - M Gilbert
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - P Gustafson
- Department of Statistics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - A Yu
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - M Kuo
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - M Chong
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - M Alvarez
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - J Wong
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - M W Tyndall
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - N Z Janjua
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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