Christine McCusker

Inhibition of Experimental Allergic Airways Disease by Local Application of a Cell-Penetrating Dominant-Negative STAT-6 Peptide

Allergic airways disease is initiated and perpetuated by an aberrant Th2 inflammatory response regulated in part by the cytokines IL-4 and IL-13, each of which induces activation of the STAT-6 transcription factor. Data from murine models indicate that the clinical manifestations of acute asthma are STAT-6 dependent, and thus, STAT-6 is a target for drug development in allergic airways disease. We designed a novel chimeric peptide (STAT-6 inhibitory peptide (STAT-6-IP)) comprised of a sequence predicted to bind to and inhibit STAT-6, fused to a protein transduction domain, to facilitate cellular uptake of the STAT-6-binding peptide. Our data demonstrate that the STAT-6-IP inhibited OVA-induced production of Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 in vitro. In contrast, the STAT-6-IP did not affect production of IFN-γ, demonstrating specificity for Th2 cytokine inhibition. Following intranasal administration, the STAT-6-IP was localized to epithelial cells in the airways. Finally, in in vivo murine models of allergic rhinitis and asthma, intranasal delivery of the STAT-6-IP inhibited OVA-induced lung inflammation and mucus production as well as accumulation of eosinophils and IL-13 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and OVA-dependent airway hyperresponsiveness. Together these data show that local application of cell-penetrating peptide inhibitors of STAT-6 has significant potential for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Intravenous immunoglobulin attenuates airway inflammation through induction of forkhead box protein 3–positive regulatory T cells

BACKGROUNDnIntravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a frequently used disease-modifying therapy for a large spectrum of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, yet its mechanisms of action are incompletely understood. Using a robust murine model of antigen-driven allergic airways disease, we have demonstrated that IVIG markedly improves ovalbumin (OVA)-induced airway hyperresponsiveness characterized by 4- to 6-fold enhancement in regulatory T (Treg) cells in pulmonary and associated lymphoid tissues.nnnOBJECTIVEnWe sought to determine whether IVIG induces antigen-specific Treg cells and to address cellular interactions that lead to induction of Treg cells by IVIG.nnnMETHODSnC57Bl/6 mice were sensitized and challenged by means of intranasal OVA exposure. IVIG or albumin control was administered 24 hours before challenge. Treg cells were tracked by using green fluorescent protein (GFP)-forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3) knock-in reporter mice (Foxp3(GFP)), and Treg cell and dendritic cell (DC) phenotypes and activities were elucidated by using coculture and flow cytometry.nnnRESULTSnIVIG therapy of OVA-sensitized and OVA-challenged mice induced antigen-specific forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3)-positive Treg cells from non-Treg cell precursors. The induced Treg cells home specifically to the lungs and draining lymph nodes and have greatly potentiated suppressive activity compared with that seen in Treg cells purified from control mice. Induction of Treg cells is mediated by tolerogenic DCs generated after IVIG exposure. Compared with albumin-treated, OVA-exposed mice, IVIG-primed DCs express altered Notch ligands, including increased Delta-4 and reduced Jagged-1 levels, reflecting decreased T(H)2 polarization. Furthermore, IVIG-primed DCs can stimulate Treg cell differentiation from uncommitted Foxp3(-)CD4(+) T cells ex vivo, and adoptive transfer of IVIG-primed DCs abrogates airway hyperresponsiveness and induces Treg cells.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe anti-inflammatory effects of IVIG therapy can be mediated by the immunomodulation of DCs, creating a bridge that induces antigen-specific, highly suppressive Treg cells.

Efficacy and safety of subcutaneous vivaglobin® replacement therapy in previously untreated patients with primary immunodeficiency: a prospective, multicenter study.

Treatment of primary immunodeficiency (PI) is typically initiated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) loading and then continued with IVIG or subcutaneous IgG (SCIG). This prospective, open-label, multicenter, 6-month study evaluated a new regimen of initiating IgG therapy with SCIG in 18 previously untreated patients. In the loading phase, SCIG 100xa0mg/kg was administered for five consecutive days (total loading dose 500xa0mg/kg). During the maintenance phase, patients self-infused SCIG 100xa0mg/kg/week at home. The primary efficacy endpoint of IgG levels ≥5xa0g/L on dayxa012 was achieved in 17 patients (94.4%; 95% CI 0.727, 0.999). The rate of infections was 3.95 episodes/patient/year. Improvement was found in many subscales of the health-related quality of life questionnaires. SCIG treatment was well tolerated, with no related serious adverse events (AEs). Nine (50%) patients experienced related AEs, including local reactions (rate 0.105 events/infusion). The results suggest that therapy of newly diagnosed patients with PI can be initiated directly with SCIG.

Use of mouse models of allergic rhinitis to study the upper and lower airway link

Purpose of reviewAllergic rhinitis and asthma are examples of a continuum of airway diseases with diverse clinical manifestations. This review examines the most recent work in mouse models studying upper and lower airway links and interactions. Recent findingsThe concept of united airways has been supported by investigative and epidemiological studies. Studies using mouse models of asthma and models of allergic rhinitis have demonstrated that analogous pathways lead to inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. Th2-type T cells and IL-13 play important immunopathologic roles. Recent studies have examined upper airway mucosal immune responses and development of both allergic and tolerant phenotypes. In a model of allergic airways disease, there is evidence of lower airway inflammation and airways hyperresponsiveness following application of allergen only to the nares, suggesting local stimulation can activate distal allergic responses. Immunomodulatory properties of the airway mucosa have also been explored. Allergen-specific tolerance can be induced by appropriate stimulation of airway mucosa and is associated with activation of IL-10-producing T cells. This effect is mediated by antigen presenting cells, especially dendritic cells. SummaryImmune stimulation of the airway mucosa, both in the upper and lower airways, results in active T-cell-mediated immune responses leading toward tolerance or asthma and allergic rhinitis. Regulation of these T-cell responses is currently under investigation. It is clear from these studies that antigenic stimulation of any part of the respiratory mucosa can have ripple effects along the entire airway and supports the concept of united airways.

The Extended Clinical Phenotype of 26 Patients with Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis due to Gain-of-Function Mutations in STAT1

PurposeGain-of-function (GOF) mutations in the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) result in unbalanced STAT signaling and cause immune dysregulation and immunodeficiency. The latter is often characterized by the susceptibility to recurrent Candida infections, resulting in the clinical picture of chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC). This study aims to assess the frequency of GOF STAT1 mutations in a large international cohort of CMC patients.MethodsSTAT1 was sequenced in genomic DNA from 57 CMC patients and 35 healthy family members. The functional relevance of nine different STAT1 variants was shown by flow cytometric analysis of STAT1 phosphorylation in patients’ peripheral blood cells (PBMC) after stimulation with interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-γ or interleukin-27 respectively. Extended clinical data sets were collected and summarized for 26 patients.ResultsHeterozygous mutations within STAT1 were identified in 35 of 57 CMC patients (61xa0%). Out of 39 familial cases from 11 families, 26 patients (67xa0%) from 9 families and out of 18 sporadic cases, 9 patients (50xa0%) were shown to have heterozygous mutations within STAT1. Thirteen distinct STAT1 mutations are reported in this paper. Eight of these mutations are known to cause CMC (p.M202V, p.A267V, p.R274W, p.R274Q, p.T385M, p.K388E, p.N397D, and p.F404Y). However, five STAT1 variants (p.F172L, p.Y287D, p.P293S, p.T385K and p.S466R) have not been reported before in CMC patients.ConclusionSTAT1 mutations are frequently observed in patients suffering from CMC. Thus, sequence analysis of STAT1 in CMC patients is advised. Measurement of IFN- or IL-induced STAT1 phosphorylation in PBMC provides a fast and reliable diagnostic tool and should be carried out in addition to genetic testing.

Autosomal Dominant Cases of Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis Segregates with Mutations of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1, But Not of Toll-Like Receptor 3

We report a family with autosomal dominant chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis as well as recurrent viral infections that segregate with a novel signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) mutation. Prophylactic treatment with fluconazole and immunoglobulin replacement has been initiated, with good clinical response.

Effective treatment of experimental ragweed-induced asthma with STAT-6-IP, a topically delivered cell-penetrating peptide

Treatment of allergic airways disease including asthma remains primarily local immunosuppression with topical corticosteroid and symptomatic management with antihistamines and anti‐leucotrienes. We have developed a novel topical therapy designed to specifically inhibit the events associated with Th2 cell activation.

Fatal Pneumococcal Meningitis in a 7-Year-Old Girl with Interleukin-1 Receptor Activated Kinase Deficiency (IRAK-4) Despite Prophylactic Antibiotic and IgG Responses to Streptococcus Pneumoniae Vaccines

IRAK-4 deficiency causes IL-1R and TLR signaling failure, resulting in minimal clinical features despite invasive bacterial infection. We report the course of a 7-year-old IRAK-4-deficient girl presenting in the first year with multiple occult Staphylococcus aureus lymphadenitis. She was managed with antibiotic prophylaxis (sulfa/trimethoprim/PenV, then – due to neutropenia – Cefprozil), pneumococcal vaccination (PCV-7, Pneumovax23, PCV-13) and vigilance. Pneumococcal-specific IgG levels were monitored. No bacterial infections occurred on prophylaxis for 6xa0years after initial presentation. IgG response to pneumococcal polysaccharide was satisfactory but short-lived, requiring frequent boosting. At age 7, patient developed a morning headache and vomited once. Cefprozil was administered and re-dosed. Over 12xa0h, she was fatigued without other symptoms. Low fever accompanied another emesis. A few hours later she was confused, and purpuric rash appeared. Emergency physicians diagnosed sepsis/meningitis and started vancomycin-ceftriaxone. Respiratory failure and cerebellar herniation occurred <24xa0h after first symptoms. Blood and CSF grew Streptococcus pneumoniae type 6C resistant to second-generation cephalosporins. The patient’s latest PCV-13 vaccination was 6xa0weeks before death, which included serotype 6A. Immunoglobulins were normal except IgG4 was increased (3.4xa0g/L). IgG response to vaccine antigens was satisfactory. IgG to 6A is reported to cross-react with 6C, but this was not the case here. Conclusion: Despite antibiotic prophylaxis and repeated vaccination, even older IRAK-4-deficient patients are at high risk of rapidly fatal infection due to emergence of antibiotic resistance. These patients need early assessment at any age, bacterial culturing, alternative empiric antibiotic therapy and close observation when even vaguely unwell. Based on increasingly recognized immunological and/or clinical impairments in B cell function, and possibly other defects, long-term IgG prophylaxis in addition to antibiotics is recommended.

Primum non nocere—first do no harm. And then feed peanut

The Addendum Guidelines for the Prevention of Peanut Allergy in the United States—Report of the NIAID-Sponsored Expert Panel were developed to build on previous food allergy guidelines after several key studies demonstrated the benefit of early introduction of allergenic foods. These landmark studies including the Learning Early about Peanut (LEAP), LEAP-On and Enquiring about Tolerance trials created a paradigm shift in food allergy prevention. The “take home” messages of this guideline include that peanut should be introduced early in the first year of life, and for the majority of infants, peanut can be introduced at home. The only group of infants for which medical assessment is recommended is those with severe eczema, egg allergy or both. Here we summarize the Guideline recommendations, endorsed by the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and highlight important aspects relevant to Canadian practitioners.

Mutation screening in STAT1, CARD9 and PKC-DELTA in patients with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis

Continued B) In homozygous IGHG diplotypes only one of the two alternative allotypes is expressed, which result in restricted qualities of IgG molecules and B cells. IGHG gene frequencies and the allotypic IgG subclass levels, the activity of the genes, are available for children and adults of healthy Caucasians (Fig. 4). IGHG genes have impact on disease and immunotherapy. The function of IgG is related to the constant part of the heavy γ chains the Fcγ part of the molecule in parallel with the variable adaptive antibody binding site. Different effects of polysaccharide and protein vaccines, with different amounts of specific antibodies were recorded for different IGHG genes. They are also associated to different severity of bacterial and viral infections and can be used as predisposing, prognostic and sometimes carrier markers. The IgG molecules of IGHG genes are differently affected by viruses acting as FcγRs modifying the disease. Suscepetibility/resistence of various infections both bacterial and viral, allergens and tumour antigens are influenced by IGHG genes. The IGHG genes are associated with different phenotypes of allergic, autoimmune, infectious, immunodeficiency and malignt disorders. In treatments with IVIG, the levels of foreign allelic IgG subclasses are recognized and can be followed. This is the ultimate evidence of that the allelic IgG subclasses are unique. IGHG genes and allotypic IgG subclasses are predisposing or prognostic genetic markers in various infections, immunodeficiencies, different phenotypes of allergic disease, autoimmune disorders and malignant diseases. Fig.1Fig. 2Fig.3Fig. 4 29 IMMUNOPHENOTYPING OF B LYMPHOCYTES IN PATIENTS WITH COMMON VARIABLE IMMUNODEFICIENCY (CVID) F. Mazzi, G. Patuzzo, A. Vella, R. Ortolani, A. Barbieri, A. Puccetti, E. Tinazzi, G. Marchi, O.M. Codella, R. Beri, C. Lunardi Department of Medicine, Unit of Autoimmune Diseases, University of Verona, Department of Pathology and Diagnosis, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Immunopathology, Institute G. Gaslini and University of Genova, Genova, Italy Introduction: CVID is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by failure of B lymphocytes to differentiate in plasma cells, with deficient immunoglobulin secretion. The identified genetic defects account only for a minority of cases. Objective: The importance of B cells immunophenotyping in the classification of CVID is well known. This procedure can identify some alterations on cell surface molecule expression that could explain the immunological disorder at the basis of CVID. Moreover, some immunophenotipical aspects can correlate with clinical features, severity and prognosis of the disease. Aim: We studied a cohort of 16 patients affected by CVID, to identify alterations of B cells and to find correlations with clinical features. Methods: We studied circulating B cells in patients and controls by flow-cytometry, using a specific panel of antibodies for B cells. Conclusion: We compared the population of “switched memory” IgD-CD27+B lymphocytes, used in the Friburg classification, with the population of IgM-IgDCD23-CD27+B cells, we have analysed. IgM-IgDCD23-CD27+B cells were reduced in patients compared to healthy controls and in patients they were lower than IgD-CD27+B cells. The reduction of these lymphocytes was correlated more tightly than IgDCD27+B cells to lymphoadenopathy, splenomegaly, J Clin Immunol (2012) 32 (Suppl 1):S1–S379