Therapeutic Implications of the IL-21: IL-4 Receptor System in Children with Common Variable Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Advances in neonatal screening for primary immune deficiencies

The congenital disorders of immune competence are known as primary immunodeficiencies (PID) and are mainly characterized by a pathological susceptibility to infection. These infections are mostly of time repetitive and drug resistant in nature. The number of infected infants has reached over 200 and is on the increase. Additionally, clinical severity of the disease has been confirmed to be extensive. The increasing number of these severe PIDs is due to the lack of specific as well as efficient management avenues. New assays and concepts for newborn screening of severe primary immune deficiencies are being explored and the present review focused on these new upcoming strategies for improved screening of neonates.

Cytokines in common variable immunodeficiency as signs of immune dysregulation and potential therapeutic targets - a review of the current knowledge

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is characterized by low levels of circulating immunoglobulins and compromised specific antibody response leading to frequent infections. Cytokines play an important role in the orchestration of the antibody response. Several previous studies have attempted to identify distinct cytokines responsible for the inflammatory changes and different manifestations of CVID, but there are conflicting results regarding the cytokine profiles in CVID patients. In light of this, an extensive review regarding the level of various cytokines and their potential therapeutic role in CVID patients was performed. This review delineates the contribution of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, IL-12, IL-21, interferons, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-17, APRIL (a proliferation inducing ligand) and BAFF (B cell activating factor) in CVID disease and outline their potential therapeutic implications in these patients.