EVER2 deficiency is associated with mild T-cell abnormalities

J Clin Immunol. 2013 Jan;33(1):14-21. doi: 10.1007/s10875-012-9749-1. Epub 2012 Aug 19.

Abstract

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is a rare genodermatosis characterized by persistent flat warts or pityriasis versicolor-like lesions caused by betapapillomaviruses (EV-HPVs). Autosomal recessive EVER1 and EVER2 deficiencies account for EV in most patients. The mechanisms by which mutations in these partners of the Zinc transporter ZnT1 impair host defense against EV-HPVs are still poorly understood. Keratinocytes of EVER-deficient patients display an alteration of zinc homeostasis and an enhanced proliferative activity. Since EVER proteins are highly expressed in T lymphocytes, we aimed to assess the impact of EVER2 deficiency on T-cell development and function. We studied circulating lymphocyte populations in three adult EV patients sharing the same EVER2 mutation (T150fsX3). We found a normal count of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and a normal proliferative capacity in response to anti-CD3 stimulation. However, we observed a significant increase of memory CD4(+) and effector memory CD8(+) T cells, a bias of the TCR Vαβ and Vγδ repertoires and an increase of skin-homing CD4(+) T-cell subsets. Our findings suggest that EVER2-deficient patients display mild T-cell abnormalities. It remains unclear whether these abnormalities result from EVER deficiency, chronic EV-HPV infection, or both.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Betapapillomavirus / pathogenicity
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Movement / immunology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Chronic Disease
  • Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis / genetics
  • Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis / immunology
  • Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory / genetics
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / deficiency*
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Mutation / immunology

Substances

  • Membrane Proteins
  • TMC8 protein, human