Pleiotropic defects in lymphocyte activation caused by caspase-8 mutations lead to human immunodeficiency

Nature. 2002 Sep 26;419(6905):395-9. doi: 10.1038/nature01063.

Abstract

Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that is controlled by aspartate-specific cysteine proteases called caspases. In the immune system, apoptosis counters the proliferation of lymphocytes to achieve a homeostatic balance, which allows potent responses to pathogens but avoids autoimmunity. The CD95 (Fas, Apo-1) receptor triggers lymphocyte apoptosis by recruiting Fas-associated death domain (FADD), caspase-8 and caspase-10 proteins into a death-inducing signalling complex. Heterozygous mutations in CD95, CD95 ligand or caspase-10 underlie most cases of autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS), a human disorder that is characterized by defective lymphocyte apoptosis, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly and autoimmunity. Mutations in caspase-8 have not been described in ALPS, and homozygous caspase-8 deficiency causes embryonic lethality in mice. Here we describe a human kindred with an inherited genetic deficiency of caspase-8. Homozygous individuals manifest defective lymphocyte apoptosis and homeostasis but, unlike individuals affected with ALPS, also have defects in their activation of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and natural killer cells, which leads to immunodeficiency. Thus, caspase-8 deficiency in humans is compatible with normal development and shows that caspase-8 has a postnatal role in immune activation of naive lymphocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • CD28 Antigens / immunology
  • CD3 Complex / immunology
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Caspase 8
  • Caspase 9
  • Caspases / genetics*
  • Cell Division
  • Cytokines / analysis
  • Female
  • Homozygote
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / enzymology
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / genetics*
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / immunology*
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / pathology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / pathology
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Lymphocytes / pathology*
  • Male
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • Pedigree
  • Phenotype
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology

Substances

  • CD28 Antigens
  • CD3 Complex
  • Cytokines
  • CASP8 protein, human
  • CASP9 protein, human
  • Caspase 8
  • Caspase 9
  • Caspases
  • Calcium