Herpes simplex virus encephalitis in human UNC-93B deficiency

Science. 2006 Oct 13;314(5797):308-12. doi: 10.1126/science.1128346. Epub 2006 Sep 14.

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) encephalitis (HSE) is the most common form of sporadic viral encephalitis in western countries. Its pathogenesis remains unclear, as it affects otherwise healthy patients and only a small minority of HSV-1-infected individuals. Here, we elucidate a genetic etiology for HSE in two children with autosomal recessive deficiency in the intracellular protein UNC-93B, resulting in impaired cellular interferon-alpha/beta and -lambda antiviral responses. HSE can result from a single-gene immunodeficiency that does not compromise immunity to most pathogens, unlike most known primary immunodeficiencies. Other severe infectious diseases may also reflect monogenic disorders of immunity.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / genetics*
  • Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / immunology
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human* / immunology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Interferon-alpha / biosynthesis
  • Interferon-alpha / immunology
  • Interferon-beta / biosynthesis
  • Interferon-beta / immunology
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Interferons / biosynthesis*
  • Interferons / immunology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
  • Male
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / deficiency*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / physiology*
  • Mutation
  • Pedigree
  • Signal Transduction
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / agonists
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / physiology
  • Toll-Like Receptors / agonists
  • Toll-Like Receptors / physiology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • TLR3 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3
  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • UNC93B1 protein, human
  • Interferon-beta
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Interferons