Persistent polyclonal B lymphocytosis (PPBL) is a benign hematological disorder characterized by a selective expansion of circulating polyclonal marginal zone (MZ)‐like B cells. Previous reports ...demonstrated that cases of PPBL showed poor activation, proliferation and survival of B cells in vitro, yet the underlying defect remains unknown. Here we report for the first time an attenuated activation of the canonical NF‐κB (nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase pathway after CD40 stimulation. This defect was selective, as alternative NF‐κB signaling after CD40 stimulation and both B‐cell receptor‐ and Toll‐like receptor 9‐mediated activation remained unaffected. Reduced canonical NF‐κB activation resulted in decreased IκBα and CD40 expression in resting cells. In PPBL patients, expression of Bcl‐xL in MZ‐like B cells did not increase upon activation, consistent with the high apoptosis rates of PPBL‐derived B cells that were observed in vitro. The B‐cell phenotype of mice with selective knockouts of early components of the CD40 signaling pathway resembles PPBL, but sequencing corresponding genes in sorted MZ‐like B cells of PPBL patients did not reveal relevant genetic alterations. Nevertheless, the frequently observed mutations in early signaling components of the NF‐κB pathway in MZ lymphomas underline the relevance of our findings for the pathogenesis of PPBL.
Despite signs of infection-including taste loss, dry mouth and mucosal lesions such as ulcerations, enanthema and macules-the involvement of the oral cavity in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is ...poorly understood. To address this, we generated and analyzed two single-cell RNA sequencing datasets of the human minor salivary glands and gingiva (9 samples, 13,824 cells), identifying 50 cell clusters. Using integrated cell normalization and annotation, we classified 34 unique cell subpopulations between glands and gingiva. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral entry factors such as ACE2 and TMPRSS members were broadly enriched in epithelial cells of the glands and oral mucosae. Using orthogonal RNA and protein expression assessments, we confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in the glands and mucosae. Saliva from SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals harbored epithelial cells exhibiting ACE2 and TMPRSS expression and sustained SARS-CoV-2 infection. Acellular and cellular salivary fractions from asymptomatic individuals were found to transmit SARS-CoV-2 ex vivo. Matched nasopharyngeal and saliva samples displayed distinct viral shedding dynamics, and salivary viral burden correlated with COVID-19 symptoms, including taste loss. Upon recovery, this asymptomatic cohort exhibited sustained salivary IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Collectively, these data show that the oral cavity is an important site for SARS-CoV-2 infection and implicate saliva as a potential route of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ
ABSTRACT
Objectives:
In the present study, we studied a cohort of patients with very early onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to determine the frequency of mutations in the interleukin 10 (IL10) ...receptor genes as a cause of early‐onset IBD.
Methods:
Sanger sequencing was performed to determine the presence of IL10 and/or IL10 receptor mutations in 17 patients with a diagnosis of very early onset IBD (disease onset <2 years of age in 15 patients, between 3 and 4 years in the other 2). Mutation screening was performed including all of the coding regions of the IL10, IL10RA, and IL10RB genes. We then compared the follow‐up findings of the patients with IL10 receptor mutations in terms of demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment response properties with those of patients diagnosed as having very early onset IBD with no mutation.
Results:
We identified 3 patients bearing mutations in the IL10 or IL10 receptor genes, including 1 mutation in IL10RB that has been described recently (c.G477A, p.Trp159*) and 2 novel mutations affecting the IL10RA gene (c.T192G, p.Tyr64* and c.T133G, p.Trp45Gly). Collectively, these mutations thus provided genetic etiology for 17.6% of the cohort under investigation. The presence of a family history of IBD and the clinical course of Crohn disease differed between patients with mutations in the IL‐10 pathway and those without such mutations. Although perianal fistulas were found in all of the patients with IL10 receptor mutations, they were found in only 14.3% of those without such mutations. The lower values of weight‐for‐age and height‐for‐age z scores, necessity for more intensive therapy, achievement of longer periods until remission, and frequent relapses in the patients bearing mutations in the IL10 receptor genes all underlined the severity of the disease and its relatively poor response to treatment.
Conclusions:
In spite of the small number of patients with mutations affecting the IL‐10 signaling pathway in our study, in all of the patients with IL10 receptor mutations, the disease onset occurs at an early age, the prognosis is poor, and the response to treatment is insufficient.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The DNA polymerase δ complex (PolD), comprising catalytic subunit POLD1 and accessory subunits POLD2, POLD3, and POLD4, is essential for DNA synthesis and is central to genome integrity. We ...identified, by whole exome sequencing, a homozygous missense mutation (c.1118A > C; p.K373T) in
POLD3
in a patient with Omenn syndrome. The patient exhibited severely decreased numbers of naïve T cells associated with a restricted T-cell receptor repertoire and a defect in the early stages of TCR recombination. The patient received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at age 6 months. He manifested progressive neurological regression and ultimately died at age 4 years. We performed molecular and functional analysis of the mutant POLD3 and assessed cell cycle progression as well as replication-associated DNA damage. Patient fibroblasts showed a marked defect in S-phase entry and an enhanced number of double-stranded DNA break-associated foci despite normal expression levels of PolD components. The cell cycle defect was rescued by transduction with WT POLD3. This study validates autosomal recessive POLD3 deficiency as a novel cause of profound T-cell deficiency and Omenn syndrome.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Polymerase delta is essential for eukaryotic genome duplication and synthesizes DNA at both the leading and lagging strands. The polymerase delta complex is a heterotetramer comprising the catalytic ...subunit POLD1 and the accessory subunits POLD2, POLD3, and POLD4. Beyond DNA replication, the polymerase delta complex has emerged as a central element in genome maintenance. The essentiality of polymerase delta has constrained the generation of polymerase delta-knockout cell lines or model organisms and, therefore, the understanding of the complexity of its activity and the function of its accessory subunits.
In this study, DOCK11 was shown to regulate T-cell shape and migration and erythroid development. Inherited loss-of-function variants in
DOCK11
led to early-onset severe immune dysregulation and ...normocytic anemia.
The analysis of individuals with severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) may shed light on the delicate balance of factors controlling the differentiation, maintenance and decay of neutrophils. We ...identify 9 distinct homozygous mutations in the JAGN1 gene encoding Jagunal homolog 1 in 14 individuals with SCN. JAGNI-mutant granulocytes are characterized by ultrastructural defects, a paucity of granules, aberrant N-glycosylation of multiple proteins and increased incidence of apoptosis. JAGN1 participates in the secretory pathway and is required for granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor-mediated signaling. JAGN1 emerges as a factor that is necessary in the differentiation and survival of neutrophils.
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DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK