Screening patients with autoimmune endocrine disorders for cytokine autoantibodies reveals monogenic immune deficiencies. Issue 133 (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sjøgren, Thea; Bratland, Eirik; Røyrvik, Ellen C.; Grytaas, Marianne Aa.; Benneche, Andreas; Knappskog, Per M.; Kämpe, Olle; Oftedal, Bergithe E.; Husebye, Eystein S.; Wolff, Anette S.B.
• Is Part Of: Journal of autoimmunity. Issue 133(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Interleukin-22 (IL22) -- Type I interferon (IFN–I) -- Interferon-ω(IFN-ω) -- Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS-1) -- Autoantibodies -- Next generation sequencing; APS-I Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 -- IFN interferon -- AIRE Autoimmune regulator; Autoimmunity -- Periodicals; Autoimmune diseases -- Periodicals; Autoantibodies -- Periodicals; Autoimmune Diseases -- Periodicals; Auto-immunité -- Périodiques; Maladies auto-immunes -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.978005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2022.102917
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0896-8411

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Autoantibodies against type I interferons (IFN) alpha ( α ) and omega ( ω ), and interleukins (IL) 17 and 22 are a hallmark of autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS-1), caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator ( AIRE ) gene. Such antibodies are also seen in a number of monogenic immunodeficiencies. Objectives: To determine whether screening for cytokine autoantibodies (anti–IFN– ω and anti-IL22) can be used to identify patients with monogenic immune disorders. Methods: A novel ELISA assay was employed to measure IL22 autoantibodies in 675 patients with autoimmune primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) and a radio immune assay (RIA) was used to measure autoantibodies against IFN- ω in 1778 patients with a variety of endocrine diseases, mostly of autoimmune aetiology. Positive cases were sequenced for all coding exons of the AIRE gene. If no AIRE mutations were found, we applied next generation sequencing (NGS) to search for mutations in immune related genes. Results: We identified 29 patients with autoantibodies against IFN- ω and/or IL22. Of these, four new APS-1 cases with disease-causing variants in AIRE were found. In addition, we identified two patients with pathogenic heterozygous variants in CTLA4 and NFKB2, respectively. Nine rare variants in other immune genes were identified in six patients, although further studies are needed to determine their disease-causing potential. Conclusion: Screening of cytokine autoantibodies can efficiently identify patients with previously unknown monogenic and possible oligogenic causes of autoimmune and immune deficiency diseases. This information is crucial for providing personalised treatment and follow-up of patients and their relatives. Highlights: Autoantibodies against type I IFNs α and ω and IL17 and 22 can identify patients with AIRE mutations. Cytokine autoantibody screening can be used to identify immunodeficiencies of previously unknown genetic cause. Knowledge on a monogenetic cause is crucial for providing personalised follow-up/ treatment of patients and relatives.