The fifth type of hyper-IgM syndrome has been characterized in three patients from France and Japan. The symptoms are similar to hyper IgM syndrome type 2, but the AICDA gene is intact.[8]
These three patients instead had mutations in the catalytic domain of uracil-DNA glycosylase, an enzyme that removes uracil from DNA. In hyper-IgM syndromes, patients are deficient in the immunoglobulins, IgG, IgE and IgA types since the antibody producing B cells can not carry out the gene recombination steps necessary to class switch from immunoglobulin M (IgM) to the other three immunoglobulins types.
Hyper IgM syndromes
Hyper IgM syndromes is a group of primary immune deficiency disorders characterized by defective CD40 signaling; via B cells affecting class switch recombination (CSR) and somatic hypermutation. Immunoglobulin (Ig) class switch recombination deficiencies are characterized by elevated serum IgM levels and a considerable deficiency in Immunoglobulins G (IgG), A (IgA) and E (IgE). As a consequence, people with HIGM have an increased susceptibility to infections.[9][7][10]
Signs and symptoms
Hyper IgM syndrome can have the following syndromes:[1][11]
- Infection/Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), which is common in infants with hyper IgM syndrome, is a serious illness.[9] PCP is one of the most frequent and severe opportunistic infections in people with weakened immune systems.
- Hepatitis (Hepatitis C)
- Chronic diarrhea
- Hypothyroidism
- Neutropenia
- Arthritis
- Encephalopathy (degenerative)
Cause
Different genetic defects cause HIgM syndrome, the vast majority are inherited as an X-linked recessive genetic trait and most sufferers are male.[7][2][3][4][12][5]
IgM is the form of antibody that all B cells produce initially before they undergo class switching. Healthy B cells efficiently switch to other types of antibodies as needed to attack invading bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. In people with hyper IgM syndromes, the B cells keep making IgM antibodies because can not switch to a different antibody. This results in an overproduction of IgM antibodies and an underproduction of IgA, IgG, and IgE.[13][7]
Pathophysiology
CD40 is a costimulatory receptor on B cells that, when bound to CD40 ligand (CD40L), sends a signal to the B-cell receptor.[14] When there is a defect in CD40, this leads to defective T-cell interaction with B cells. Consequently, humoral immune response is affected. Patients are more susceptible to infection.[1]
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of hyper IgM syndrome can be done via the following methods and tests:[1]
- MRI
- Chest radiography
- Pulmonary function test
- Lymph node test
- Laboratory test (to measure CD40)
Treatment
In terms of treatment for hyper IgM syndrome, there is the use of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Additionally, anti-microbial therapy, use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, immunosuppressants, as well as other treatments, may be needed.
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