Primary combined immunodeficiency resulting from defective transcription of multiple T-cell lymphokine genes.
The circulating T lymphocytes of a female child with recurrent opportunistic infections were normal in number and phenotype but exhibited poor proliferation and decreased synthesis of the T-cell growth factor interleukin (IL) 2 in response to mitogens. Recombinant IL-2 fully restored the proliferative responses of her T cells, suggesting that her poor immune function was related to IL-2 deficiency. Northern blot analysis of total cellular RNA from the patient's T cells revealed markedly decreased levels of IL-2 mRNA of normal size. In addition, mRNA levels of other lymphokines selectively expressed by T cells, which include IL-3, IL-4, and IL-5, were either severely depressed or absent. The levels of interferon gamma mRNA were moderately decreased, while those of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, a lymphokine the production of which is not restricted to T cells, were unaffected. The decreased level of lymphokine mRNA in the patient's T lymphocytes was not from enhanced catabolism but resulted from a diminution in the transcription rate of the affected lymphokine genes. Normal transduction via the T-cell receptor/CD3 complex of biochemical signals necessary for the initiation of lymphokine gene transcription indicated that the defect was distal to the membrane signal-transducing apparatus. The defect is hypothesized to involve a T-cell-specific trans-acting regulatory factor required for transcription of the affected lymphokine genes.
Chatila
T
T
Division of Immunology, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA.
Castigli
E
E
Pahwa
R
R
Pahwa
S
S
Chirmule
N
N
Oyaizu
N
N
Good
R A
RA
Geha
R S
RS
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016207:Cytokines; D007378:Interleukins; D008222:Lymphokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor