Unexpected diagnosis of WHIM syndrome in refractory autoimmune cytopenia

Blood Adv. 2024 Oct 8;8(19):5126-5136. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2024013301.

Abstract

WHIM (warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections, and myelokathexis) syndrome is a rare primary immunodeficiency predominantly caused by heterozygous gain-of-function mutations in the C-terminus of the gene CXCR4. These CXCR4 variants display impaired receptor trafficking with persistence of the CXCR4 receptor on the surface, resulting in hyperactive downstream signaling after CXCL12 stimulation. In turn, this results in defective lymphoid differentiation, and reduced blood neutrophil and lymphocyte numbers. Here, we report a CXCR4 mutation that in 2 members of a kindred, led to life-long autoimmunity and lymphoid hypertrophy as the primary clinical manifestations of WHIM syndrome. We examine the functional effects of this mutation, and how these have affected phosphorylation, activation, and receptor internalization.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Autoimmunity
  • Cytopenia
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / diagnosis
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / genetics
  • Male
  • Mutation*
  • Pedigree
  • Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases* / genetics
  • Receptors, CXCR4* / genetics
  • Warts* / diagnosis
  • Warts* / genetics

Substances

  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • CXCR4 protein, human

Supplementary concepts

  • WHIM syndrome