Aberrant T-cell antigen receptor-mediated responses in autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome

Clin Immunol. 2002 Jul;104(1):31-9. doi: 10.1006/clim.2002.5249.

Abstract

Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome (ALPS) is a disorder of defective lymphocyte apoptosis due to mutations of the Fas receptor and other molecules in the Fas signaling pathway. In addition to accumulation of CD4(-) CD8(-) double-negative (DN) T cells, many patients display a dysregulated cytokine pattern with dysfunctional T cells, suggesting Fas defects may impact pathways of T-cell activation/differentiation. Here, we report two novel mutations in the Fas receptor resulting in an ALPS phenotype. Utilizing flow cytometry, we found anti-CD3 activated CD4(+) T cells from these patients were incapable of fully upregulating activation markers (CD25, CD69, and CD40L) or producing interferon-gamma and IL-2. Additionally, DN T cells were unable to transduce proximal T-cell antigen receptor signals or produce cytokines. Furthermore, DN T cells overexpressed CD57 and phenotypically resembled end-stage effector cells. As DN T cells were essentially anergic, the clinical manifestations of autoimmunity are more likely to be a consequence of aberrant cytokine secretion within the CD4(+) T-cell subpopulation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / genetics
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
  • Calcium / immunology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cytoplasm / immunology
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-4 / biosynthesis
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / genetics
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / immunology*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / immunology
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Syndrome
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • fas Receptor / genetics*
  • fas Receptor / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
  • CD69 antigen
  • Interleukin-2
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2
  • fas Receptor
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Calcium