Partial Xq25 deletion in a family with the X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP)

Two Unrelated Burkitt Lymphomas Seven Years Apart in a Patient With X-Linked Lymphoproliferative Disease Type 1 (XLP1)

OBJECTIVES

We describe a rare case of a male child with X-linked lymphoproliferative disease type 1 (XLP1) who presented with Burkitt lymphoma (BL) when he was 6 years old, achieved a complete response to therapy, and developed a second BL after seven years.

METHODS

Diagnostic H&E stained slides and ancillary studies were reviewed for both lymphomas. B-cell clonality by PCR and SNP array studies were performed on both specimens.

RESULTS

Both lymphomas were Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) negative. Flow cytometry showed λ light chain restriction in the initial BL and κ light chain restriction in the subsequent BL. B-cell clonality testing indicated that the two lymphomas are not clonally related. SNP array analysis of the second BL showed genomic changes that were not present in the first BL.

CONCLUSIONS

These results confirm that these two tumors represent unrelated BLs. Pathologists and clinicians should be aware that second lymphomas in XLP1 patients may represent new neoplasms rather than late relapses.

XLP: clinical features and molecular etiology due to mutations in SH2D1A encoding SAP

X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) is a rare primary immunodeficiency affecting approximately 1-2 per 1 million males. A key feature of XLP is the exquisite sensitivity of affected individuals to disease induced following EBV infection. However, patients can also develop hypogammaglobulinemia and B-cell lymphoma independently of exposure to EBV. XLP is caused by loss-of function mutations in SH2D1A, which encodes the intracellular adaptor molecule SAP. SAP is predominantly expressed in T cells and NK cells, and functions to regulate signal transduction pathways downstream of the SLAM family of surface receptors to control CD4+ T cell (and by extension B cells), CD8+ T cell and NK cell function, as well as the development of NKT cells. The study of XLP had shed substantial light on the requirements for lymphocyte differentiation and immune regulation, which in turn have the potential to be translated into novel treatments for not only XLP patients but individuals affected by EBV-induced disease, impaired humoral immunity and malignancy.

Quantitative genetics in the study of virus-induced disease

While the role of viral variants has long been known to play a key role in causing variation in disease severity, it is also clear that host genetic variation plays a critical role in determining virus-induced disease responses. However, a variety of factors, including confounding environmental variables, rare genetic variants requiring extremely large cohorts, the temporal dynamics of infections, and ethical limitation on human studies, have made the identification and dissection of variant host genes and pathways difficult within human populations. This difficulty has led to the development of a variety of experimental approaches used to identify host genetic contributions to disease responses. In this chapter, we describe the history of genetic associations within the human population, the development of experimentally tractable systems, and the insights these specific approaches provide. We conclude with a discussion of recent advances that allow for the investigation of the role of complex genetic networks that underlie host responses to infection, with the goal of drawing connections to human infections. In particular, we highlight the need for robust animal models with which to directly control and assess the role of host genetics on viral infection outcomes.

X-linked lymphoproliferative disease: prenatal detection of an unaffected histocompatible male

Chorionic Villous Biopsy (CVS) for diagnosis of XLP was undertaken at 10 weeks gestation in an obligate carrier. The fetus was found to be male by cytogenetic analysis. XLP (Xq25-q26) is closely linked to the RFLP markers DXS10, DXS37 and DXS42, but only DXS10 (distal to XLP) was informative for prenatal diagnosis in this family. RFLP analysis using this marker gave a 7% risk that the fetus was affected, based on the known recombination frequency between DXS10 and XLP. Further investigation was then undertaken to obtain a rapid and more accurate diagnosis using the three highly polymorphic PCR based markers. These were the AC repeat markers DXS424 (XL5A) and DXS425 (XL90A3) and the tetramer repeat marker within HPRT. DX425 is approximately 10 cM proximal to DXS10 and HPRT but is not known with certainty to map proximal or distal to XLP. DXS424 is proximal to DXS10 and HPRT and was inferred to be proximal to XLP on the basis of map distance from HPRT estimated by linkage analysis of data from CEPH pedigrees. This was confirmed by a recombinant in the XLP family between DXS424 and DXS425, placing DXS424 proximal to XLP. Diagnosis by linkage using DXS424 and DXS425, at least one of which is proximal to XLP, and distal markers DXS10 and HPRT, increased the accuracy of diagnosis using flanking marker analysis to greater than 99% that the fetus was unaffected. HLA DR typing of the CVS showed that the fetus was DR identical to a male sibling with XLP. HLA compatibility was confirmed at delivery by full HLA typing and MLC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The gene defective in X-linked lymphoproliferative disease controls T cell dependent immune surveillance against Epstein-Barr virus

Our understanding of the X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome (XLP) has advanced significantly in the past two years. The gene that is aberrant in the condition - SH2D1A/SAP, which encodes SAP (signaling lymphocytic activation molecule [SLAM]-associated protein) - was cloned, the crystal structure of its product was solved and insights into the signaling mechanisms of this small SH2-domain-containing protein via the cell surface receptors SLAM and 2B4 have been provided. SAP mutation, and not Epstein-Barr virus infection per se, may be critical for XLP.

Large deletion of the X-linked lymphoproliferative disease gene detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization

The X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) is an inherited immunodeficiency characterized by an abnormal responses to infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), resulting in fatal infectious mononucleosis, hypogammaglobulinemia, virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome, and malignant lymphoma. Mutations in the gene coding for a T cell-specific SLAM-associated protein (SAP) have been recently identified in XLP patients. We report on a 1-year-old boy representing fulminant hemophagocytic syndrome. He developed high fever, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly with liver dysfunction, and pancytopenia with marrow hemophagocytosis. EBV DNA was abnormally increased in the blood. Polymerase chain reaction failed to amplify SAP mRNA and genomic DNA products from the patient' As peripheral blood. A large deletion of the SAP gene was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). FISH analysis also disclosed that the patient's mother was a carrier. We conclude that FISH can be useful in the diagnosis of XLP with large deletions of the SAP gene and its carrier state.

Immunogenetics: changing the face of immunodeficiency

Tables 1 and 2 highlight the enormous advances that have been made in the definition of the molecular defects underlying primary immunodeficiencies in the past decade. The identification of SAP as the gene defective in XLP now completes the molecular bases of all the recognised X linked syndromes. Of the autosomally inherited syndromes, only the genes for DiGeorge syndrome, hyper-IgE, and perhaps most importantly, common variable immunodeficiency remain to be elucidated. The major clinical benefits of this information have primarily been in offering more accurate and rapid molecular diagnoses. The ability to make a molecular diagnosis also increases the options for earlier definitive treatments such as bone marrow transplantation and somatic gene therapy. Finally, as illustrated by the studies on the functions of WASP and the gamma c/JAK-3 pathway, identification of the gene defect is the first step to understanding the molecular pathogenesis of the immunological abnormalities.

Inactivating mutations in an SH2 domain-encoding gene in X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome

X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome (XLP) is an inherited immunodeficiency characterized by increased susceptibility to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In affected males, primary EBV infection leads to the uncontrolled proliferation of virus-containing B cells and reactive cytotoxic T cells, often culminating in the development of high-grade lymphoma. The XLP gene has been mapped to chromosome band Xq25 through linkage analysis and the discovery of patients harboring large constitutional genomic deletions. We describe here the presence of small deletions and intragenic mutations that specifically disrupt a gene named DSHP in 6 of 10 unrelated patients with XLP. This gene encodes a predicted protein of 128 amino acids composing a single SH2 domain with extensive homology to the SH2 domain of SHIP, an inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase that functions as a negative regulator of lymphocyte activation. DSHP is expressed in transformed T cell lines and is induced following in vitro activation of peripheral blood T lymphocytes. Expression of DSHP is restricted in vivo to lymphoid tissues, and RNA in situ hybridization demonstrates DSHP expression in activated T and B cell regions of reactive lymph nodes and in both T and B cell neoplasms. These observations confirm the identity of DSHP as the gene responsible for XLP, and suggest a role in the regulation of lymphocyte activation and proliferation. Induction of DSHP may sustain the immune response by interfering with SHIP-mediated inhibition of lymphocyte activation, while its inactivation in XLP patients results in a selective immunodeficiency to EBV.

Host response to EBV infection in X-linked lymphoproliferative disease results from mutations in an SH2-domain encoding gene

X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome (XLP or Duncan disease) is characterized by extreme sensitivity to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), resulting in a complex phenotype manifested by severe or fatal infectious mononucleosis, acquired hypogammaglobulinemia and malignant lymphoma. We have identified a gene, SH2D1A, that is mutated in XLP patients and encodes a novel protein composed of a single SH2 domain. SH2D1A is expressed in many tissues involved in the immune system. The identification of SH2D1A will allow the determination of its mechanism of action as a possible regulator of the EBV-induced immune response.

Immune regulation in Epstein-Barr virus-associated diseases

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the human herpesvirus family and, like many other herpesviruses, maintains a lifelong latent association with B lymphocytes and a permissive association with stratified epithelium in the oropharynx. Clinical manifestations of primary EBV infection range from acute infectious mononucleosis to an asymptomatic persistent infection. EBV is also associated with a number of malignancies in humans. This review discusses features of the biology of the virus, both in cell culture systems and in the natural host, before turning to the role of the immune system in controlling EBV infection in healthy individuals and in individuals with EBV-associated diseases. Cytotoxic T cells that recognize virally determined epitopes on infected cells make up the major effector arm and control the persistent infection. In contrast, the options for immune control of EBV-associated malignancies are more restricted. Not only is antigen expression restricted to a single nuclear antigen, EBNA1, but also these tumor cells are unable to process EBV latent antigens, presumably because of a transcriptional defect in antigen-processing genes (such as TAP1 and TAP2). The likelihood of producing a vaccine capable of controlling the acute viral infection and EBV-associated malignancies is also discussed.

Manifestations of Epstein-Barr virus-associated disorders in liver

Epstein-Barr virus is a ubiquitous virus associated with a variety of different diseases and disorders. The manifestations of Epstein-Barr virus-associated diseases or disorders within the liver, which involve a broad spectrum of histologic and clinical features, ranging from hepatitis through lymphoproliferative disorders to lymphoma, are presented. An important aspect of Epstein-Barr virus expression and infection is the biology of the Epstein-Barr virus. Documentation of infection can be performed using serology to detect the interaction of Epstein-Barr virus with the immune system, and the detection of EBV proteins and use of molecular biologic techniques to identify the presence of EBV RNA, and DNA sequences. Of particular utility are in situ hybridization, Southern blot analysis, and polymerase chain reaction as diagnostic methods to identify specific RNA or DNA sequences. Epstein-Barr virus-associated diseases and disorders including infectious mononucleosis, sporadic fatal infectious mononucleosis, X-linked proliferative disorder (Duncan's disease), post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders, lymphoma, and AIDS are discussed. The histopathologic findings present in liver associated with each disease are presented with illustrative examples. Handling the tissue and interaction with clinical services are also discussed as a method for appropriate diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus-driven processes affecting the liver.

Epstein-Barr virus infection and associated diseases in children. I. Pathogenesis, epidemiology and clinical aspects

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), an ubiquitous human B lymphotropic virus, is the cause of infectious mononucleosis. Moreover, EBV infection can be followed by lymphoproliferative diseases in patients with inherited and acquired immunodeficiencies. Primary EBV infection may be a threat to all children after marrow or organ transplantation or those receiving chronic immunosuppressive treatment for various other reasons. The virus has been also implicated in the pathogenesis of different malignant tumours such as Burkitt lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hodgkin disease and some T-cell lymphomas. This review focuses on various aspects of virus-host interactions, immune mechanisms of the host, and the still experimental therapeutic approaches in EBV-associated diseases.

Cloning of human and bovine homologs of SNF2/SWI2: a global activator of transcription in yeast S. cerevisiae

We performed positional cloning of genes carried on yeast artificial chromosomes that span a human translocation breakpoint associated with a human disease and isolated by chance human and bovine genes with strong homology to the S. cerevisiae genes, SNF2/SWI2 and STH1, and the D. melanogaster gene brahma. We report here sequence analysis, expression data, and functional studies for this human SNF2-like gene (hSNF2L) and its bovine homolog (bovSNF2L). Despite strong homology at the amino acid level, hSNF2L is not capable of complementing the yeast mutations snf2 or sth1 in S. cerevisiae. Furthermore, in contrast to SNF2 itself, a fusion protein consisting of the DNA binding domain of LexA and hSNF2L did not transactivate a reporter gene downstream of LexA binding sites in a yeast expression system. The strong similarity between hSNF2L and these yeast and drosophila genes suggest that the mammalian genes are part of an evolutionarily conserved family that has been implicated as global activators of transcription in yeast and fruitflies but whose function in mammals remains unknown.

Report on the X-linked lymphoproliferative disease in an Australian family

X-linked lymphoproliferative disease is characterized by immune deficiency, particularly to the Epstein-Barr virus and by a tendency to develop fatal infectious mononucleosis, acquired hypogammaglobulinaemia or malignant lymphoma. This disorder has been diagnosed in three boys, two brothers and a maternally related cousin, residing in Australia. The proband presented at 6 years of age with fulminating infectious mononucleosis. His 9 year old male cousin had developed an ileal Burkitt lymphoma one year earlier. Immunological and molecular genetic evidence is presented to support our view that his younger sibling is also affected with this condition. DNA linkage studies using probes to DXS10 and DXS37 provide confirmatory evidence for the diagnosis in the proband's brother and information on carrier status in female family members.

The molecular basis of X-linked immunodeficiency disease

The molecular bases of the X-linked immunodeficiency diseases remain largely undetermined. Two of the genes involved in these diseases have been isolated, namely the genes for X-linked chronic granulomatous disease and properdin deficiency, and substantial progress has now been made in identifying the genes which are defective in the other five diseases, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency, X-linked agammaglobulinaemia, X-linked hyper-IgM and X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome. We review here the nature of the diseases, progress made in identifying and isolating the genes involved and the prospects for improved prenatal detection, carrier status determination and treatment of these life-threatening conditions.

X-linked immunodeficiencies: clues to genes involved in T- and B-cell differentiation

There are five major human X-linked immunodeficiencies, each with a characteristic impairment of T-and/or B-cell differentiation. The molecular bases of these diseases remain unknown but, as Geneviève de Saint Basile and Alain Fischer report, major steps towards that goal have been taken: the location of the defective genes has been precisely defined and the cell lineages and stages of differentiation in which the genes are expressed have been partly identified.

The X-linked lymphoproliferative disease: from autopsy toward cloning the gene 1975-1990

Although X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) is rare (1-2 males per 1 x 10(6)), it serves as a model for discerning diverse diseases caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) ranging from agammaglobulinemia to fatal infectious mononucleosis following infection with the virus. The study of patients with XLP has also paved the way to understanding how EBV induce diseases in children with primary immunodeficiency diseases, organ transplant recipients, and those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This review is dedicated to the memory of Gordon Vawter, M.D., who generously provided insights into the causes of pathogenesis of immune deficiency and lymphoproliferative disorders.

Genetics of human X-linked immunodeficiency diseases

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Methods of detection of new families with X-linked lymphoproliferative disease

During the past decade, 240 males with X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) within 59 unrelated kindreds have been identified worldwide. One half of the patients have developed fatal infections mononucleosis, about one third have acquired hypogammaglobulinemia, and another one fourth have developed malignant lymphoma. Less commonly occurring phenotypes include hyperimmunoglobulinemia M, bone marrow hypoplasia, and necrotizing lymphoid vasculitis. The fatal infectious mononucleosis phenotype occurs at about 2.5 years of age, and median survival is only 33 days following onset of illness. The acquired hypogammaglobulinemia and malignant lymphoma phenotypes are associated with longer survivals, but to date no patient has been documented as living into the fifth decade of life. We summarized recent research findings and technological advances that permit accurate diagnosis of carrier females and detection of males with the XLP gene before Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Detection of X-linked lymphoproliferative disease using molecular and immunovirologic markers

PURPOSE, PATIENTS, AND METHODS

Detection of males affected with the X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) was sought using immunovirologic and molecular genetic linkage techniques. The study population consisted of 20 males in six families with XLP.

RESULTS

Concordance for detection of affected males was 100% when linkage analysis using DXS42 and DXS37 DNA probes and antibody responses to challenge with bacteriophage phi X174 were both determined. Most affected males showing IgG subclass immune deficiency could not produce antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen and had deficient responses to challenge with bacteriophage phi X174.

CONCLUSION

Use of only one of the techniques described can fail to lead to the diagnosis of XLP, because problems can prevail with each individual determination.