Abstract
Purpose
Specific granule deficiency (SGD) is a rare inborn error of immunity resulting from loss-of-function variants in CEBPE gene (encoding for transcription factor C/EBPε). Although this genetic etiology has been known for over two decades, only a few patients with CEBPE variant-proven SGD (type I) have been reported. Herein, we describe two siblings with a novel homozygous CEBPE deletion who were noted to have profound neutropenia on initial evaluation. We aimed to evaluate the immunohematological consequences of this novel variant, including profound neutropenia.
Methods
Light scatter characteristics of granulocytes were examined on various automated hematology analyzers. Phagocyte immunophenotype, reactive oxygen species generation, and Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling were assessed using flow cytometry. Relative expression of genes encoding various granule proteins was studied using RT-PCR. Western blot analysis and luciferase reporter assay were performed to explore variant C/EBPε expression and function.
Results
Severe infections occurred in both siblings. Analysis of granulocyte light scatter plots revealed automated hematology analyzers can provide anomalously low neutrophil counts due to abnormal neutrophil morphology. Neutrophils displayed absence/marked reduction of CD15/CD16 expression and overexpression (in a subset) of CD14/CD64. Three distinct populations of phagocytes with different oxidase activities were observed. Impaired shedding of CD62-ligand was noted on stimulation with TLR-4, TLR-2/6, and TLR-7/8 agonists. We demonstrated the variant C/EBPε to be functionally deficient.
Conclusion
Homozygous c.655_665del variant in CEBPE causes SGD. Anomalous automated neutrophil counts may be reported in patients with SGD type I. Aberrant TLR signaling might be an additional pathogenetic mechanism underlying immunodeficiency in SGD type I.
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Data Availability
Pertinent anonymized data are available in the Electronic Supplementary Material. The unanonymized datasets for this article are not publicly available due to concerns regarding participant/patient privacy/anonymity. Requests to access these datasets should be directed to the corresponding author.
Abbreviations
- BPI:
-
bactericidal permeability-increasing protein
- CAP18:
-
Cationic/cathelicidin antimicrobial protein–18 kDa
- CBCs:
-
complete blood counts
- CD62L:
-
CD62-ligand (L-selectin)
- C/EBP:
-
CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein
- ECP:
-
eosinophil cationic protein
- f-MLF:
-
N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine
- HEK:
-
human embryonic kidney
- IEI:
-
inborn error of immunity
- LCN2:
-
lipocalin-2
- LPS:
-
lipopolysaccharide
- LTF:
-
lactoferrin
- MBP:
-
major basic protein
- MRSA:
-
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
- NADPH:
-
nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen
- NBT:
-
nitroblue tetrazolium
- NC:
-
neutrophil collagenase
- P1 :
-
patient 1
- PMA:
-
phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate
- RBC:
-
red blood cell
- ROS:
-
reactive oxygen species
- SDS-PAGE:
-
sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
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Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the patients and their parents for agreeing to participate in the study. The authors also acknowledge the technical staff of Hematology laboratories in the Department of Pediatrics and Research Block-A, PGIMER, Chandigarh, for their kind help. We sincerely thank Dr. Deepak B Salunke, Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India, for providing TLR-2/6 and -7/8 agonists.
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AZB: inception of idea, writing of initial draft of manuscript, editing and revision of manuscript, patient evaluation and management, data acquisition and analysis, and review of literature.
AK, JD, IK, KA, GK: editing and revision of manuscript, performed experiments, and data acquisition and analysis.
TA, MM, TW: writing of initial draft of manuscript, editing and revision of manuscript, performed experiments, data acquisition and analysis, and review of literature.
DB: writing of initial draft of manuscript, editing and revision of manuscript, patient evaluation and management, data analysis, and review of literature.
DD: writing of initial draft of manuscript, editing and revision of manuscript, performed experiments, data acquisition and analysis, and review of literature.
MUSS, VP, AKJ, DS, JA, PB: editing and revision of manuscript, patient evaluation and management, data analysis, and review of literature.
HPK, HK, SS: editing and revision of manuscript, data analysis, and review of literature.
AR: editing and revision of manuscript, patient evaluation, data acquisition and analysis, review of literature, and overall supervision of manuscript preparation.
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This study was conducted in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration and was approved by the Departmental Review Board, Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatrics Center, PGIMER, Chandigarh. Volumes of blood obtained (by venipuncture) for the experiments were as follows – complete blood counts: 0.5–1.0 mL, peripheral blood immunophenotyping: 2 mL, dihydrorhodamine-123 and CD62-ligand shedding assays: 2 mL, Sanger sequencing and RT-PCR: 1 mL.
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The patients and their parents consented to participate in the study and publish the manuscript.
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The authors declare no competing interests.
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Data regarding serial complete blood counts and serial granulocyte scatter plots (on XN-1000 automated hematology analyzer) of our patient with SGD type II have not been published previously. Also, these details are not part of any other manuscript submitted for publication. However, the clinical profile of our patient with SGD type II is currently submitted as a separate case report/letter to the editor.
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Banday, A.Z., Kaur, A., Akagi, T. et al. A Novel CEBPE Variant Causes Severe Infections and Profound Neutropenia. J Clin Immunol 42, 1434–1450 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10875-022-01304-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10875-022-01304-7