Transient hemophagocytosis with deficient cellular cytotoxicity, monoclonal immunoglobulin M gammopathy, increased T-cell numbers, and hypomorphic NEMO mutation

Pediatrics. 2006 May;117(5):e1049-56. doi: 10.1542/peds.2005-2062. Epub 2006 Apr 24.

Abstract

X-linked osteopetrosis, anhydrotic ectodermal dysplasia, and immunodeficiency (XL-O-EDA-ID) is a disorder that is caused by hypomorphic mutations in the nuclear factor kappaB essential modulator (NEMO). These mutations lead to an impaired NF-kappaB activation. In vitro analyses and studies in animal models show that inhibition of NF-kappaB leads to a decrease of cytokine production and T-cell proliferation. Patients classically display poor or delayed inflammatory response to infections. We describe a boy with XL-O-EDA-ID, 1167-1168insC NEMO mutation, and recurrent infections. In early infancy, he experienced hemophagocytosis with transient deficiency of natural killer activity. Increased immunoglobulin M levels in blood resulted from a monoclonal immunoglobulin M gammopathy. Blood T-cell numbers were constantly increased, most probably resulting from a peripheral T-cell expansion. Our observations suggest that patients with hypomorphic NEMO mutations and repeated infections may experience inflammatory dysregulation.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Infections / complications
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Ectodermal Dysplasia / complications*
  • Ectodermal Dysplasia / genetics
  • Genetic Diseases, X-Linked / complications*
  • Humans
  • Hypergammaglobulinemia / complications*
  • Hypergammaglobulinemia / immunology
  • I-kappa B Kinase / genetics*
  • Immunoglobulin M / analysis*
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / complications*
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / complications*
  • Male
  • Mutation*
  • Osteopetrosis / complications*
  • Osteopetrosis / genetics
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • IKBKG protein, human
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • I-kappa B Kinase