Donor genetic determinant of thymopoiesis, rs2204985, and stem cell transplantation outcome in a multipopulation cohort

\ua9 2024 The Author(s)Background: A genetic polymorphism, rs2204985, has been reported to be associated with the diversity of T-cell antigen receptor repertoire and TREC levels, reflecting the function of the thymus. As the thymus function can be assumed to be an important factor regulating the outcome of stem cell transplantation (SCT), it was of great interest that rs2204985 showed a genetic association to disease-free and overall survival in a German SCT donor cohort. Tools to predict the outcome of SCT more accurately would help in risk assessment and patient safety. Objective: To evaluate the general validity of the original genetic association found in the German cohort, we determined genetic associations between rs2204985 and the outcome of SCT in 1,473 SCT donors from four different populations. Study design: Genetic associations between rs2204985 genotype AA versus AG/GG and overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in 1,473 adult, allogeneic SCT from Finland, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Poland were performed using the Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank tests. We adjusted the survival models with covariates using Cox regression. Results: In unrelated SCT donors (N = 425), the OS of genotype AA versus AG/GG had a trend for a similar association (p = 0.049, log-rank test) as previously reported in the German cohort. The trend did not remain significant in the Cox regression analysis with covariates. No other associations were found. Conclusion: Weak support for the genetic association between rs2204985, previously also associated with thymus function, and the outcome of SCT could be found in a cohort from four populations

Unique transcriptional and protein-expression signature in human lung tissue-resident NK cells

Human lung tissue-resident NK cells (trNK cells) are likely to play an important role in host responses towards viral infections, inflammatory conditions and cancer. However, detailed insights into these cells are still largely lacking. Here we show, using RNA sequencing and flow cytometry-based analyses, that subsets of human lung CD69(-)CD16(-) NK cells display hallmarks of tissue-residency, including high expression of CD49a, CD103, and ZNF683, and reduced expression of SELL, S1PR5, and KLF2/3. CD49a(+)CD16(-) NK cells are functionally competent, and produce IFN-gamma, TNF, MIP-1 beta, and GM-CSF. After stimulation with IL-15, they upregulate perforin, granzyme B, and Ki67 to a similar degree as CD49a(-) CD16(-) NK cells. Comparing datasets from trNK cells in human lung and bone marrow with tissue-resident memory CD8(+) T cells identifies core genes co-regulated either by tissue-residency, cell-type or location. Together, our data indicate that human lung trNK cells have distinct features, likely regulating their function in barrier immunity.Peer reviewe

The Safety and Efficacy of Live Viral Vaccines in Patients With Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia

Background: Live viral vaccines are generally contraindicated in patients with combined immunodeficiency including cartilage-hair hypoplasia (CHH); however, they may be tolerated in milder syndromes. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of live viral vaccines in patients with CHH.Methods: We analyzed hospital and immunization records of 104 patients with CHH and measured serum antibodies to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella zoster virus (VZV) in all patients who agreed to blood sampling (n= 50). We conducted a clinical trial (identifier: NCT02383797) of live VZV vaccine on five subjects with CHH who lacked varicella history, had no clinical symptoms of immunodeficiency, and were seronegative for VZV; humoral and cellular immunologic responses were assessed post-immunization.Results: A large proportion of patients have been immunized with live viral vaccines, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) (n= 40, 38%) and VZV (n= 10, 10%) vaccines, with no serious adverse events. Of the 50 patients tested for antibodies, previous immunization has been documented with MMR (n= 22), rubella (n= 2) and measles (n= 1) vaccines. Patients with CHH demonstrated seropositivity rates of 96%/75%/91% to measles, mumps and rubella, respectively, measured at a medium of 24 years post-immunization. Clinical trial participants developed humoral and cellular responses to VZV vaccine. One trial participant developed post-immunization rash and knee swelling, both resolved without treatment.Conclusion: No serious adverse events have been recorded after immunization with live viral vaccines in Finnish patients with CHH. Patients generate humoral and cellular immune response to live viral vaccines. Immunization with live vaccines may be considered in selected CHH patients with no or clinically mild immunodeficiency

High bone mass due to novel LRP5 and AMER1 mutations

WNT signaling is a key regulator of bone metabolism and its increased or decreased activity leads to skeletal disorders. Here we describe two patients with high bone mass (HBM) caused by novel mutations in two different WNT pathway components. The first patient is a 53-year-old male with HBM. He was diagnosed at adult age based on significantly increased bone mineral density (BMD). He has undergone several surgeries due to excessive bone in ear canals, bilateral jaw exostoses and mandibular tori. Radiographs show severe cortical thickening of cranial and long bones. Sanger sequencing identified a novel heterozygous mutation c. 592A> T (p. N198Y) in LRP5 (Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5). The second patient, an adolescent female, was diagnosed with skeletal dysplasia in early childhood. She had macrocephaly (head circumference +6.0 SD), facial dysmorphism, delayed motor development, laryngomalasia and epilepsy. Radiographic findings were consistent with osteopathia striata with cranial sclerosis. A novel heterozygous frameshift mutation c. 655del (p. E219Rfs* 63) in AMER1 (APC Membrane Recruiting Protein 1) was identified. Although both mutations are predicted to lead to increased WNT signaling with a consequent increase in bone formation, the resulting phenotypes are different; cranial sclerosis versus macrocephaly, long bone cortical thickening versus vertical striations and discordant neurological development. This report underscores the diversity of genotypes and phenotypes of HBM and facilitates their differential diagnosis. (C) 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Human lung natural killer cells are predominantly comprised of highly differentiated hypofunctional CD69-CD56dim cells

BACKGROUND:In contrast to the extensive knowledge about human natural killer (NK) cells in peripheral blood, relatively little is known about NK cells in the human lung. Knowledge about the composition, differentiation, and function of human lung NK cells is critical to better understand their role in diseases affecting the lung, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, infections, and cancer. OBJECTIVE:We sought to analyze and compare the phenotypic and functional characteristics of NK cells in the human lung and peripheral blood at the single-cell level. METHODS:NK cells in human lung tissue and matched peripheral blood from 132 subjects were analyzed by using 16-color flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. RESULTS:CD56dimCD16+ NK cells made up the vast majority of NK cells in human lungs, had a more differentiated phenotype, and more frequently expressed educating killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors compared with NK cells in peripheral blood. Despite this, human lung NK cells were hyporesponsive toward target cell stimulation, even after priming with IFN-α. Furthermore, we detected a small subset of NK cells expressing CD69, a marker of tissue residency. These CD69+ NK cells in the lung consisted predominantly of immature CD56brightCD16- NK cells and less differentiated CD56dimCD16+ NK cells. CONCLUSION:Here, we characterize the major NK cell populations in the human lung. Our data suggest a model in which the majority of NK cells in the human lung dynamically move between blood and the lung rather than residing in the lung as bona fide tissue-resident CD69+ NK cells.FWN – Publicaties zonder aanstelling Universiteit Leide

Preface

[No abstract available