Immune dysregulation in human subjects with heterozygous germline mutations in CTLA4

Science. 2014 Sep 26;345(6204):1623-1627. doi: 10.1126/science.1255904. Epub 2014 Sep 11.

Abstract

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is an inhibitory receptor found on immune cells. The consequences of mutations in CTLA4 in humans are unknown. We identified germline heterozygous mutations in CTLA4 in subjects with severe immune dysregulation from four unrelated families. Whereas Ctla4 heterozygous mice have no obvious phenotype, human CTLA4 haploinsufficiency caused dysregulation of FoxP3(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells, hyperactivation of effector T cells, and lymphocytic infiltration of target organs. Patients also exhibited progressive loss of circulating B cells, associated with an increase of predominantly autoreactive CD21(lo) B cells and accumulation of B cells in nonlymphoid organs. Inherited human CTLA4 haploinsufficiency demonstrates a critical quantitative role for CTLA-4 in governing T and B lymphocyte homeostasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CTLA-4 Antigen / genetics*
  • Female
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / immunology
  • Germ-Line Mutation*
  • Haploinsufficiency*
  • Humans
  • Immune System Diseases / genetics*
  • Immunity / genetics*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Pedigree
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • CTLA4 protein, human
  • FOXP3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors

Associated data

  • dbGaP/PHS000797.V1.P1