Microbial nucleic acid recognition serves as the major stimulus to an antiviral response, implying a requirement to limit the misrepresentation of self nucleic acids as non-self and the induction of autoinflammation. By systematic screening using a panel of interferon-stimulated genes we identify two siblings and a singleton variably demonstrating severe neonatal anemia, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, liver fibrosis, deforming arthropathy and increased anti-DNA antibodies. In both families we identify biallelic mutations in DNASE2, associated with a loss of DNase II endonuclease activity. We record increased interferon alpha protein levels using digital ELISA, enhanced interferon signaling by RNA-Seq analysis and constitutive upregulation of phosphorylated STAT1 and STAT3 in patient lymphocytes and monocytes. A hematological disease transcriptomic signature and increased numbers of erythroblasts are recorded in patient peripheral blood, suggesting that interferon might have a particular effect on hematopoiesis. These data define a type I interferonopathy due to DNase II deficiency in humans.

Celiac disease (CD) is characterized by intolerance to gluten and high risk of developing autoimmune phenomena. Possible defects in immune tolerance could have a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. As regulatory T-cells (Tregs) are the main population involved in maintaining peripheral tolerance, we investigated the number of these cells in celiac patients as compared with healthy donors. Moreover, we analyzed the suppressive function of CD4+CD25+ T-cells from celiac disease patients and controls on autologous responder T-cells (CD4+CD25-). The percentage of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ cells was not different in celiacs and in healthy controls, and among positive cells the level of expression of the two regulatory markers was comparable. However, the suppressor activity of Tregs was significantly impaired in CD patients. These results suggest that a defect in Tregs function could play a role in the pathogenesis of CD and in CD-associated autoimmunity.

Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) is constitutively expressed by CD4 ؉ CD25 hi regulatory T cells (nTregs). IntroductionNaturally occurring CD4 ϩ CD25 hi regulatory T cells (nTregs) play a central role in immune tolerance. nTregs are generated in the thymus, comprise 5% to 10% of peripheral CD4 ϩ T cells, and constitutively express forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), a transcription factor essential for their regulatory activity. 1 Indeed, knockdown of FOXP3 in nTregs reduces suppressive capacity and overexpression of FOXP3 confers suppressive activity to conventional CD4 ϩ T cells. [2][3][4] However, an essential role of FOXP3 in the development and maintenance of nTregs in humans has not yet been shown. Moreover, FOXP3 can be expressed in activated effector T cells, suggesting that it may also be important for cells other than nTregs. 5,6 In male infants, mutations of FOXP3 cause a severe autoimmune disease known as immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked syndrome (IPEX). 7-9 Depending on the mutation, nTregs may be present in IPEX patients, but display an impaired function. 10 The FOXP3 gene (Xp11.23) is subject to X-chromosome inactivation (XCI), 11 a random process by which 1 of the 2 X-chromosomes is methylated during embryogenesis and remains stably inactive in daughter cells. Accordingly, female carriers of FOXP3 mutations are expected to be cell mosaics in which either the wild-type (WT) or the mutated (mut)-FOXP3 allele is active. Therefore, they represent a unique system to investigate the role of WT versus mut-FOXP3 in nTregs and other cell subsets in humans. Because in heterozygous Foxp3 wt/null female mice, only nTregs expressing WT-Foxp3 have the nTreg phenotype and are maintained in the periphery, 12 we investigated whether expression of human WT-FOXP3 is necessary for the development and/or homeostasis of nTregs, by analyzing the pattern of XCI in T-cell subsets from women carrying FOXP3 mutations. Methods SubjectsCarriers of FOXP3 mutations are healthy adults with no autoimmune symptoms. Peripheral blood was obtained upon informed consent from healthy females and carriers of FOXP3 mutations in accordance with approval from the Internal Ethical Committee of the San Raffaele Scientific Institute (protocol TIGET02) and with the Declaration of Helsinki.For complete materials and methods information, see supplemental methods (available on the Blood website; see the Supplemental Materials link at the top of the online article). Results and discussion Healthy carriers of FOXP3 mutations are mosaics of cells expressing either the WT or the mut-FOXP3 alleleNine healthy female carriers of 5 different FOXP3 mutations, relatives of severely affected IPEX patients, were studied (Figure 1A For personal use only. on April 11, 2019. by guest www.bloodjournal.org From and supplemental methods). The distribution of active WT and mut-FOXP3 alleles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs; n ϭ 9), CD4 ϩ T (n ϭ 8), CD8 ϩ T (n ϭ 3), CD56 ϩ natural killer (n ϭ 2), and CD19 ϩ B (n ϭ 3) cells was evaluated by de...

Peptide inhibitors of bacterial protein synthesis with broad spectrum and 2SbmA-independent bactericidal activity against clinical pathogens.

BackgroundThe fetal and infant life are periods of rapid development, characterized by high susceptibility to exposures. Birth cohorts provide unique opportunities to study early-life exposures in association with child development and health, as well as, with longer follow-up, the early life origin of adult diseases. Piccolipiù is an Italian birth cohort recently set up to investigate the effects of environmental exposures, parental conditions and social factors acting during pre-natal and early post-natal life on infant and child health and development. We describe here its main characteristics.Methods/designPiccolipiù is a prospective cohort of expected 3000 newborns, who will be recruiting in six maternity units of five Italian cities (Florence, Rome, Trieste, Turin and Viareggio) since October 2011. Mothers are contacted during pregnancy or at delivery and are offered to participate in the study. Upon acceptance, their newborns are recruited at birth and followed up until at least 18 years of age. At recruitment, the mothers donate a blood sample and complete a baseline questionnaire. Umbilical cord blood, pieces of umbilical cord and heel blood spots are also collected. Postnatal follow-up currently occurs at 6, 12, and 24 months of age using on-line or postal self administered questionnaire; further questionnaires and medical examinations are envisaged. Questionnaires collect information on several factors, including mother’s and/or child’s environmental exposures, anthropometric measures, reproductive factors, diet, supplements, medical history, cognitive development, mental health and socioeconomic factors. Health promotion materials are also offered to parents.DiscussionPiccolipiù will broaden our understanding of the contribution of early-life factors to infant and child health and development. Several hypotheses on the developmental origins of health can be tested or piloted using the data collected from the Piccolipiù cohort. By pooling these data with those collected by other existing birth cohorts it will be possible to validate previous findings and to study rare exposures and outcomes.

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Deregulation of the mevalonate pathway is known to be involved in a number of diseases that exhibit a systemic inflammatory phenotype and often neurological involvements, as seen in patients suffering from a rare disease called mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD). One of the molecular mechanisms underlying this pathology could depend on the shortage of isoprenoid compounds and the subsequent mitochondrial damage, leading to oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines’ release. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that cellular death results from the balance between apoptosis and pyroptosis, both driven by mitochondrial damage and the molecular platform inflammasome. In order to rescue the deregulated pathway and decrease inflammatory markers, exogenous isoprenoid compounds were administered to a biochemical model of MKD obtained treating a murine monocytic cell line with a compound able to block the mevalonate pathway, plus an inflammatory stimulus. Our results show that isoprenoids acted in different ways, mainly increasing the expression of the evaluated markers [apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, nucleotide-binding oligomerization-domain protein-like receptors 3 (NALP3), cytokines and nitric oxide (NO)]. Our findings confirm the hypothesis that inflammation is triggered, at least partially, by the shortage of isoprenoids. Moreover, although further studies are necessary, the achieved results suggest a possible role for exogenous isoprenoids in the treatment of MKD.

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