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Xu X, Denton J, Wu Y, Liu J, Guan Q, Dawson DB, Bleesing J, Zhang W. Genetic Testing in Patients with Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome: Experience of 802 Patients at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. J Clin Immunol 2024; 44:166. [PMID: 39060684 PMCID: PMC11282156 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-024-01772-z] [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: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is a rare genetic disorder featuring chronic lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, cytopenias, and increased lymphoma risk. Differentiating ALPS from immunodeficiencies with overlapping symptoms is challenging. This study evaluated the performance and the diagnostic yield of a 15-gene NGS panel for ALPS at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Samples from 802 patients submitted for ALPS NGS panel were studied between May 2014 and January 2023. A total of 62 patients (7.7%) had a definite diagnosis: 52/62 cases (84%) showed 37 unique pathogenic/likely pathogenic germline FAS variants supporting ALPS diagnosis (6.5%, 52/802). The ALPS diagnostic yield increased to 30% in patients who additionally fulfilled abnormal ALPS immunology findings criteria. 17/37 (46%) diagnostic FAS variants were novel variants reported for the first time in ALPS. 10/802 cases (1.2%) showed diagnostic findings in five genes (ADA2, CTLA4, KRAS, MAGT1, NRAS) which are related to autoimmune lymphoproliferative immunodeficiency (ALPID). Family studies enabled the reclassification of variants of unknown significance (VUS) and also the identification of at-risk family members of FAS-positive patients, which helped in the follow-up diagnosis and treatment. Alongside family studies, complete clinical phenotypes and abnormal ALPS immunology and Fas-mediated apoptosis results helped clarify uncertain genetic findings. This study describes the largest cohort of genetic testing for suspected ALPS in North America and highlights the effectiveness of the ALPS NGS panel in distinguishing ALPS from non-ALPS immunodeficiencies. More comprehensive assessment from exome or genome sequencing could be considered for undefined ALPS-U patients or non-ALPS immunodeficiencies after weighing cost, completeness, and timeliness of different genetic testing options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxiu Xu
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - James Denton
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Yaning Wu
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jie Liu
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Qiaoning Guan
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - D Brian Dawson
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jack Bleesing
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Immune Deficiency, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Wenying Zhang
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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Fernandez I, Touzot F. Looking for ALPS: The value of a combined assessment of biochemical markers. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2024; 35:e14135. [PMID: 38700373 DOI: 10.1111/pai.14135] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is a rare primary immune disorder caused by defect of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway. The current diagnostic criteria combine clinical features and typical biomarkers but have not been the object of clear international consensus. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study on pediatric patients who were investigated for autoimmune cytopenia and/or lymphoproliferation at the CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital over 10 years. Patients were screened using the combination of TCRαβ+ CD4- CD8- "double negative" (DN) T cells and soluble plasmatic FAS ligand (sFASL). RESULTS Among the 398 tested patients, the median sFASL and DN T cells were 200 ng/mL and 1.8% of TCRαβ+ T cells, respectively. sFASL was highly correlated with vitamin B12 levels. We identified five patients diagnosed with ALPS for whose sFASL and vitamin B12 levels were the more discriminating biomarkers. While ALPS diagnostic criteria had high sensibility, their predictive value remained low. CONCLUSION sFASL level can efficiently discriminate patients with ALPS when using the appropriate thresholds. Our study highlights the need for an international consensus to redefine the place and threshold of biological biomarkers for ALPS diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Fernandez
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Fabien Touzot
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Magerus A, Rensing-Ehl A, Rao VK, Teachey DT, Rieux-Laucat F, Ehl S. Autoimmune lymphoproliferative immunodeficiencies (ALPIDs): A proposed approach to redefining ALPS and other lymphoproliferative immune disorders. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 153:67-76. [PMID: 37977527 PMCID: PMC10841637 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Chronic nonmalignant lymphoproliferation and autoimmune cytopenia are relevant manifestations of immunohematologic diseases of childhood. Their diagnostic classification is challenging but important for therapy. Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is a genetically defined inborn error of immunity combining these manifestations, but it can explain only a small proportion of cases. Diagnostic categories such as ALPS-like disease, common variable immunodeficiency, or Evans syndrome have therefore been used. Advances in genetics and increasing availablity of targeted therapies call for more therapy-oriented disease classification. Moreover, recent discoveries in the (re)analysis of genetic conditions affecting FAS signaling ask for a more precise definition of ALPS. In this review, we propose the term autoimmune lymphoproliferative immunodeficiencies for a disease phenotype that is enriched for patients with genetic diseases for which targeted therapies are available. For patients without a current molecular diagnosis, this term defines a subgroup of immune dysregulatory disorders for further studies. Within the concept of autoimmune lymphoproliferative immunodeficiencies, we propose a revision of the ALPS classification, restricting use of this term to conditions with clear evidence of perturbation of FAS signaling and resulting specific biologic and clinical consequences. This proposed approach to redefining ALPS and other lymphoproliferative conditions provides a framework for disease classification and diagnosis that is relevant for the many specialists confronted with these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aude Magerus
- University of Paris Cité, Paris, France; Laboratory of Immunogenetics of Pediatric Autoimmune Diseases, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Anne Rensing-Ehl
- Institute for Immunodeficiency, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - V Koneti Rao
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Md
| | - David T Teachey
- Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa; Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Frederic Rieux-Laucat
- University of Paris Cité, Paris, France; Laboratory of Immunogenetics of Pediatric Autoimmune Diseases, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Stephan Ehl
- Institute for Immunodeficiency, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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Mondal T, Gaur H, Wamba BEN, Michalak AG, Stout C, Watson MR, Aleixo SL, Singh A, Condello S, Faller R, Leiserowitz GS, Bhatnagar S, Tushir-Singh J. Characterizing the regulatory Fas (CD95) epitope critical for agonist antibody targeting and CAR-T bystander function in ovarian cancer. Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:2408-2431. [PMID: 37838774 PMCID: PMC10657439 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01229-7] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Receptor clustering is the most critical step to activate extrinsic apoptosis by death receptors belonging to the TNF superfamily. Although clinically unsuccessful, using agonist antibodies, the death receptors-5 remains extensively studied from a cancer therapeutics perspective. However, despite its regulatory role and elevated function in ovarian and other solid tumors, another tumor-enriched death receptor called Fas (CD95) remained undervalued in cancer immunotherapy until recently, when its role in off-target tumor killing by CAR-T therapies was imperative. By comprehensively analyzing structure studies in the context of the binding epitope of FasL and various preclinical Fas agonist antibodies, we characterize a highly significant patch of positively charged residue epitope (PPCR) in its cysteine-rich domain 2 of Fas. PPCR engagement is indispensable for superior Fas agonist signaling and CAR-T bystander function in ovarian tumor models. A single-point mutation in FasL or Fas that interferes with the PPCR engagement inhibited apoptotic signaling in tumor cells and T cells. Furthermore, considering that clinical and immunological features of the autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) are directly attributed to homozygous mutations in FasL, we reveal differential mechanistic details of FasL/Fas clustering at the PPCR interface compared to described ALPS mutations. As Fas-mediated bystander killing remains vital to the success of CAR-T therapies in tumors, our findings highlight the therapeutic analytical design for potentially effective Fas-targeting strategies using death agonism to improve cancer immunotherapy in ovarian and other solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanmoy Mondal
- Laboratory of Novel Biologics, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Himanshu Gaur
- Laboratory of Novel Biologics, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Brice E N Wamba
- Laboratory of Novel Biologics, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Abby Grace Michalak
- Laboratory of Novel Biologics, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Undergraduate Research Program Volunteers, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Camryn Stout
- Laboratory of Novel Biologics, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Undergraduate Research Program Volunteers, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Matthew R Watson
- Laboratory of Novel Biologics, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Undergraduate Research Program Volunteers, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Sophia L Aleixo
- Laboratory of Novel Biologics, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Undergraduate Research Program Volunteers, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Arjun Singh
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Salvatore Condello
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Roland Faller
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Gary Scott Leiserowitz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Sanchita Bhatnagar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jogender Tushir-Singh
- Laboratory of Novel Biologics, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
- UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA.
- Ovarian Cancer Academy Early Career Investigator at UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
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Haymour L, Jean M, Smulski C, Legembre P. CD95 (Fas) and CD95L (FasL)-mediated non-canonical signaling pathways. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:189004. [PMID: 37865305 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Although the interaction of CD95L (also known as FasL) with its so-called death receptor CD95 (Fas) induces an apoptotic signal responsible for the elimination of infected and cancer cells and maintenance of tissue homeostasis, this receptor can also implement non apoptotic signaling pathways. This latter signaling is involved in metastatic dissemination in certain cancers and the severity of auto-immune disorders. The signaling complexity of this pair is increased by the fact that CD95 expression itself seems to contribute to oncogenesis via a CD95L-independent manner and, that both ligand and receptor might interact with other partners modulating their pathophysiological functions. Finally, CD95L itself can trigger cell signaling in immune cells rendering complex the interpretation of mouse models in which CD95 or CD95L are knocked out. Herein, we discuss these non-canonical responses and their biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layla Haymour
- UMR CNRS 7276, INSERM U1262, CRIBL, Université Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Mickael Jean
- Université de Rennes, Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes - UMR CNRS 6226 Equipe COrInt, Rennes F-35000, France
| | - Cristian Smulski
- Medical Physics Department, Centro Atómico Bariloche, Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica (CNEA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Patrick Legembre
- UMR CNRS 7276, INSERM U1262, CRIBL, Université Limoges, Limoges, France.
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Toskov V, Ehl S. Autoimmune lymphoproliferative immunodeficiencies (ALPID) in childhood: breakdown of immune homeostasis and immune dysregulation. Mol Cell Pediatr 2023; 10:11. [PMID: 37702894 PMCID: PMC10499775 DOI: 10.1186/s40348-023-00167-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Many inborn errors of immunity (IEI) manifest with hallmarks of both immunodeficiency and immune dysregulation due to uncontrolled immune responses and impaired immune homeostasis. A subgroup of these disorders frequently presents with autoimmunity and lymphoproliferation (ALPID phenotype). After the initial description of the genetic basis of autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) more than 20 years ago, progress in genetics has helped to identify many more genetic conditions underlying this ALPID phenotype. Among these, the majority is caused by a group of autosomal-dominant conditions including CTLA-4 haploinsufficiency, STAT3 gain-of-function disease, activated PI3 kinase syndrome, and NF-κB1 haploinsufficiency. Even within a defined genetic condition, ALPID patients may present with staggering clinical heterogeneity, which makes diagnosis and management a challenge. In this review, we discuss the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, approaches to diagnosis, and conventional as well as targeted therapy of the most common ALPID conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasil Toskov
- Centre for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Ehl
- Centre for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
- Institute for Immunodeficiency, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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Mancuso G, Bechi Genzano C, Fierabracci A, Fousteri G. Type 1 diabetes and inborn errors of immunity: Complete strangers or 2 sides of the same coin? J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023:S0091-6749(23)00427-X. [PMID: 37097271 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a polygenic disease and does not follow a mendelian pattern. Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs), on the other hand, are caused by damaging germline variants, suggesting that T1D and IEIs have nothing in common. Some IEIs, resulting from mutations in genes regulating regulatory T-cell homeostasis, are associated with elevated incidence of T1D. The genetic spectrum of IEIs is gradually being unraveled; consequently, molecular pathways underlying human monogenic autoimmunity are being identified. There is an appreciable overlap between some of these pathways and the genetic variants that determine T1D susceptibility, suggesting that after all, IEI and T1D are 2 sides of the same coin. The study of monogenic IEIs with a variable incidence of T1D has the potential to provide crucial insights into the mechanisms leading to T1D. These insights contribute to the definition of T1D endotypes and explain disease heterogeneity. In this review, we discuss the interconnected pathogenic pathways of autoimmunity, β-cell function, and primary immunodeficiency. We also examine the role of environmental factors in disease penetrance as well as the circumstantial evidence of IEI drugs in preventing and curing T1D in individuals with IEIs, suggesting the repositioning of these drugs also for T1D therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Mancuso
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Camillo Bechi Genzano
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | | | - Georgia Fousteri
- Diabetes Research Institute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
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