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Mutations in the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) gene have been associated with XLP-like disease, including recurrent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related haemophagocytic lymphohystiocytosis (HLH), but the immunopathogenic bases of EBV-related disease in XIAP deficiency is unknown. We present the first analysis of EBV-specific T cell responses in functional XIAP deficiency. In a family of patients with a novel mutation in XIAP (G466X) leading to a late-truncated protein and varying clinical features, we identified gradual hypogammaglobulinaemia and large expansions of T cell subsets, including a prominent CD4(+) CD8(+) population. Extensive ex-vivo analyses showed that the expanded T cell subsets were dominated by EBV-specific cells with conserved cytotoxic, proliferative and interferon (IFN)-γ secretion capacity. The EBV load in blood fluctuated and was occasionally very high, indicating that the XIAP(G466X) mutation could impact upon EBV latency. XIAP deficiency may unravel a new immunopathogenic mechanism in EBV-associated disease.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/cei.12427

Type

Journal article

Journal

Clin Exp Immunol

Publication Date

12/2014

Volume

178

Pages

470 - 482

Keywords

T cells, cytotoxic T cells, immunodeficiency diseases, viral, Cells, Cultured, Haplotypes, Herpesvirus 4, Human, Humans, Immunologic Memory, Interferon-gamma, Mutation, T-Lymphocytes, Viral Load, X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein