Autoimmunity in Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome: Updated Perspectives.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Sudhakar M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8384432 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) is a severe X-linked Primary Immunodeficiency that affects 1-10 out of 1 million male individuals. WAS is caused by mutations in the WAS Protein (WASP) expressing gene that leads to the absent or reduced expression of the protein. WASP is a cytoplasmic protein that regulates the formation of actin filaments in hematopoietic cells. WASP deficiency causes many immune cell defects both in humans and in the WAS murine model, the Was(-/-) mouse. Both cellular and humoral immune defects in WAS patients contribute to the onset of severe clinical manifestations, in particular microthrombocytopenia, eczema, recurrent infections, and a high susceptibility to develop autoimmunity and malignancies. Autoimmune diseases affect from 22 to 72% of WAS patients and the most common manifestation is autoimmune hemolytic anemia, followed by vasculitis, arthritis, neutropenia, inflammatory bowel disease, and IgA nephropathy. Many groups have widely explored immune cell functionality in WAS partially explaining how cellular defects may lead to pathology. However, the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of autoimmune manifestations have not been clearly described yet. In the present review, we report the most recent progresses in the study of immune cell function in WAS that have started to unveil the mechanisms contributing to autoimmune complications in WAS patients.
| S-EPMC3399097 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND:Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked immunodeficiency characterized by eczema, infections, and susceptibility to autoimmunity and malignancies. Thrombocytopenia is a constant finding, but its pathogenesis remains elusive. OBJECTIVE:To dissect the basis of the WAS platelet defect, we used a novel conditional mouse model (CoWas) lacking Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) only in the megakaryocytic lineage in the presence of a normal immunologic environment, and in parallel we analyzed samples obtained from patients with WAS. METHODS:Phenotypic and functional characterization of megakaryocytes and platelets in mutant CoWas mice and patients with WAS with and without autoantibodies was performed. Platelet antigen expression was examined through a protein expression profile and cluster proteomic interaction network. Platelet immunogenicity was tested by using ELISAs and B-cell and platelet cocultures. RESULTS:CoWas mice showed increased megakaryocyte numbers and normal thrombopoiesis in vitro, but WASp-deficient platelets had short lifespan and high expression of activation markers. Proteomic analysis identified signatures compatible with defects in cytoskeletal reorganization and metabolism yet surprisingly increased antigen-processing capabilities. In addition, WASp-deficient platelets expressed high levels of surface and soluble CD40 ligand and were capable of inducing B-cell activation in vitro. WASp-deficient platelets were highly immunostimulatory in mice and triggered the generation of antibodies specific for WASp-deficient platelets, even in the context of a normal immune system. Patients with WAS also showed platelet hyperactivation and increased plasma soluble CD40 ligand levels correlating with the presence of autoantibodies. CONCLUSION:Overall, these findings suggest that intrinsic defects in WASp-deficient platelets decrease their lifespan and dysregulate immune responses, corroborating the role of platelets as modulators of inflammation and immunity.
| S-EPMC6078823 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Autoimmunity is a surprisingly common complication of primary immunodeficiencies, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying this clinical observation are not well understood. One widely known example is provided by Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS), an X-linked primary immunodeficiency disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding the WAS protein (WASp) with a high incidence of autoimmunity in affected patients. WASp deficiency affects T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) signaling and T-cell cytokine production, but its role in TCR-induced apoptosis, one of the mechanisms of peripheral immunologic tolerance, has not been investigated. We find that WASp-deficient mice produce autoantibodies and develop proliferative glomerulonephritis with immune complex deposition as they age. We also find that CD4(+) T lymphocytes from WASp-deficient mice undergo reduced apoptosis after restimulation through the TCR. While Fas-induced cell death is normal, WASp deficiency affects TCR-induced secretion of Fas ligand (FasL) and other components of secretory granules by CD4(+) T cells. These results describe a novel role of WASp in regulating TCR-induced apoptosis and FasL secretion and suggest that WASp-deficient mice provide a good model for the study of autoimmune manifestations of WAS and the development of more specific therapies for these complications.
| S-EPMC2918330 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome protein (WASP) is a key regulator of the actin cytoskeleton in hematopoietic cells. Defective expression of WASP leads to multiple abnormalities in different hematopoietic cells. Despite severe impairment of T cell function, WAS patients exhibit a high prevalence of autoimmune disorders. We attempted to induce EAE, an animal model of organ-specific autoimmunity affecting the CNS that mimics human MS, in Was(-/-) mice. We describe here that Was(-/-) mice are markedly resistant against EAE, showing lower incidence and milder score, reduced CNS inflammation and demyelination as compared to WT mice. Microglia was only poorly activated in Was(-/-) mice. Antigen-induced T-cell proliferation, Th-1 and -17 cytokine production and integrin-dependent adhesion were increased in Was(-/-) mice. However, adoptive transfer of MOG-activated T cells from Was(-/-) mice in WT mice failed to induce EAE. Was(-/-) mice were resistant against EAE also when induced by adoptive transfer of MOG-activated T cells from WT mice. Was(+/-) heterozygous mice developed an intermediate clinical phenotype between WT and Was(-/-) mice, and they displayed a mixed population of WASP-positive and -negative T cells in the periphery but not in their CNS parenchyma, where the large majority of inflammatory cells expressed WASP. In conclusion, in absence of WASP, T-cell responses against a CNS autoantigen are increased, but the ability of autoreactive T cells to induce CNS autoimmunity is impaired, most probably because of an inefficient T-cell transmigration into the CNS and defective CNS resident microglial function.
| S-EPMC3900702 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundWiskott Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a rare X-linked primary immunodeficiency. This complex disease is characterised by microthrombocytopenia, recurrent infections, eczema and is associated with a high incidence of autoimmunity and of lymphoid malignancies. WAS is attracting growing attention not only because it highlights the rich cellular and systems biology revolving around cytoskeletal regulation but also because it is candidate for a haematopoietic stem cell gene therapy indication.ObjectivesAs several groups are developing this novel approach, this review discusses the state of the art and challenges in clinical development of gene therapy for WAS, with particular regard to biosafety.MethodsIn spite of the successes of haematopoietic gene therapy for genetic immune deficiencies, there is a need for more efficient transduction protocols and for vectors with a superior safety profile. Preclinical studies have provided reasonable expectations that haematopoietic gene therapy with a self-inactivated HIV-1-derived vector using the native gene promoter for expression of the WAS transgene will be safe and will lead to the restoration of WAS protein in the haematopoietic and immune system at levels sufficient to provide an improvement in the condition of WAS patients.ConclusionsPhase I/II clinical studies will soon be initiated in several European centres to assess the safety and efficacy of this lentiviral vector in WAS patients.
| S-EPMC2789278 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked recessive primary immunodeficiency disorder associated with thrombocytopenia, eczema, and autoimmunity. We treated two patients who had this disorder with a transfusion of autologous, genetically modified hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). We found sustained expression of WAS protein expression in HSC, lymphoid and myeloid cells, and platelets after gene therapy. T and B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and monocytes were functionally corrected. After treatment, the patients' clinical condition markedly improved, with resolution of hemorrhagic diathesis, eczema, autoimmunity, and predisposition to severe infection. Comprehensive insertion-site analysis showed vector integration that targeted multiple genes controlling growth and immunologic responses in a persistently polyclonal hematopoiesis. (Funded by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and others; German Clinical Trials Register number, DRKS00000330.).
| S-EPMC3064520 | biostudies-literature
Project description:A paracrine interaction between epidermal growth factor (EGF)-secreting tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1)-secreting breast carcinoma cells promotes invasion and metastasis. Here, we show that mice deficient in the hematopoietic-cell-specific Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) are unable to support TAM-dependent carcinoma cell invasion and metastasis in both orthotopic and transgenic models of mammary tumorigenesis. Motility and invasion defects of tumor cells were recapitulated ex vivo upon coculture with WASp(-/-) macrophages. Mechanistically, WASp is required for macrophages to migrate toward CSF-1-producing carcinoma cells, as well as for the release of EGF through metalloprotease-dependent shedding of EGF from the cell surface of macrophages. Our findings suggest that WASp acts to support both the migration of TAMs and the production of EGF, which in concert promote breast tumor metastasis.
| S-EPMC3777703 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) is in a complex with WASP-interacting protein (WIP). WASP levels, but not mRNA levels, were severely diminished in T cells from WIP(-/-) mice and were increased by introduction of WIP in these cells. The WASP binding domain of WIP was shown to protect WASP from degradation by calpain in vitro. Treatment with the proteasome inhibitors MG132 and bortezomib increased WASP levels in T cells from WIP(-/-) mice and in T and B lymphocytes from two WAS patients with missense mutations (R86H and T45M) that disrupt WIP binding. The calpain inhibitor calpeptin increased WASP levels in activated T and B cells from the WASP patients, but not in primary T cells from the patients or from WIP(-/-) mice. Despite its ability to increase WASP levels proteasome inhibition did not correct the impaired IL-2 gene expression and low F-actin content in T cells from the R86H WAS patient. These results demonstrate that WIP stabilizes WASP and suggest that it may also be important for its function.
| S-EPMC1783416 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Analysis of serum cytokine levels in Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome patients pre- and post- treatment reveals IL-18 as a stable and reliable marker of inflammation. Definitive stem cell treatment with good myeloid correction correlates with resolution of inflammation and reduction of circulating IL-18, highlighting the importance of actin cytoskeletal regulation of myeloid cells in control of inflammation.
| S-EPMC8436742 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The pleiotropic receptor tyrosine kinase Kit can provide cytoskeletal signals that define cell shape, positioning, and migration, but the underlying mechanisms are less well understood. In this study, we provide evidence that Kit signals through Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP), the central hematopoietic actin nucleation-promoting factor and regulator of the cytoskeleton. Kit ligand (KL) stimulation resulted in transient tyrosine phosphorylation of WASP, as well as interacting proteins WASP-interacting protein and Arp2/3. KL-induced filopodia in bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) were significantly decreased in number and size in the absence of WASP. KL-dependent regulation of intracellular Ca(2+) levels was aberrant in WASP-deficient BMMCs. When BMMCs were derived from WASP-heterozygous female mice using KL as a growth factor, the cultures eventually developed from a mixture of WASP-positive and -negative populations into a homogenous WASP-positive culture derived from the WASP-positive progenitors. Thus, WASP expression conferred a selective advantage to the development of Kit-dependent hematopoiesis consistent with the selective advantage of WASP-positive hematopoietic cells observed in WAS-heterozygous female humans. Finally, KL-mediated gene expression in wild-type and WASP-deficient BMMCs was compared and revealed that approximately 30% of all Kit-induced changes were WASP dependent. The results indicate that Kit signaling through WASP is necessary for normal Kit-mediated filopodia formation, cell survival, and gene expression, and provide new insight into the mechanism in which WASP exerts a strong selective pressure in hematopoiesis.
| S-EPMC2756200 | biostudies-literature