Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome with somatic Fas mutations.

Holzelova E, Vonarbourg C, Stolzenberg MC, Arkwright PD, Selz F, Prieur AM, Blanche S, Bartunkova J, Vilmer E, Fischer A, Le Deist F, Rieux-Laucat F.

Source : N. Engl. J. Med.

2004 Oct 6

Pmid / DOI: 15459302

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Impaired Fas-induced apoptosis of lymphocytes in vitro is a principal feature of the autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS). We studied six children with ALPS whose lymphocytes had normal sensitivity to Fas-induced apoptosis in vitro.

METHODS: Susceptibility to Fas-mediated apoptosis and the Fas gene were analyzed in purified subgroups of T cells and other mononuclear cells from six patients with ALPS type III.

RESULTS: Heterozygous dominant Fas mutations were detected in the polyclonal double-negative T cells from all six patients. In two patients, these mutations were found in a fraction of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, monocytes, and CD34+ hematopoietic precursors, but not in hair or mucosal epithelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS: Somatic heterozygous mutations of Fas can cause a sporadic form of ALPS by allowing lymphoid precursors to resist the normal process of cell death.

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