Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) are a genetically heterogeneous group of disorders that affect distinct components of the innate and adaptive immune system, such as neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells, complement proteins, natural killer cells, and T and B lymphocytes. The study of these diseases has provided essential insights into the functioning of the immune system. More than 120 distinct genes have been identified, whose abnormalities account for more than 150 different forms of PID. The complexity of the genetic,immunologic, and clinical features of PID has prompted the need for their classification, with the ultimate goal of facilitating diagnosis and treatment. To serve this goal, an international committee of experts has met every 2 years since 1970. In its last meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyo, after 3 days of intense scientific presentations and discussions, the committee has updated the classification of PID, as reported in this article.

More than 50 years after Ogdeon Bruton's discovery of congenital agammaglobulinemia, human primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) continue to unravel novel molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern development and function of the human immune system. This report provides the updated classification of PIDs, that has been compiled by the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) Expert Committee of Primary Immunodeficiencies after its biannual meeting, in Dublin (Ireland) in June 2009. Since the appearance of the last classification in 2007, novel forms of PID have been discovered, and additional pathophysiology mechanisms that account for PID in humans have been unraveled. Careful analysis and prompt recognition of these disorders is essential to prompt effective forms of treatment and thus to improve survival and quality of life in patients affected with PIDs.

Objective To study the safety and clinical efficacy of rituximab therapy for primary Sjögren’s syndrome, as well as investigate its mechanisms. Methods Patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome were enrolled in an open-label trial and received rituximab (1 g) on days 1 and 15 and followed through week 52. The primary endpoint was safety, with secondary endpoints evaluating clinical and biologic efficacy. Blood was obtained for enumeration of lymphocyte subsets, measurement of serum autoantibodies and BAFF levels, and analysis of gene expression. Results Twelve female subjects with primary Sjögren’s syndrome were administered rituximab. They had a median (range) age of 51 (34–69) years and a median (range) disease duration of 8.0 (2–18) years. We observed no unexpected toxicities from rituximab therapy. Modest improvements were observed at week 26 in patient-reported symptoms of fatigue and oral dryness, with no significant improvement in the objective measures of lacrimal and salivary gland function. The recovery of blood B cells following the nadir from rituximab therapy was characterized by a predominance of transitional B cells and a lack of memory B cells. While blood B cell depletion was associated with an increase in serum BAFF levels, no significant changes were observed in the levels of serum anti-Ro/SSA, anti-La/SSB, and anti-muscarinic receptor 3 autoantibodies or in the blood IFN signature. Conclusion In primary Sjögren’s syndrome, a single treatment course of rituximab was not associated with any unexpected toxicities and led to only modest clinical benefits despite effective depletion of blood B cells.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for two surface glycoproteins of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were found to enhance RSV infection in two macrophagelike cell lines (P388D1 and THP-1). MAbs to an irrelevant antigen (pneumococcal polysaccharide) and to the nucleocapsid of RSV did not enhance infection. Blocking either the Fc segment of the monoclonal antibody of the Fc receptor on the cells diminished the enhancement, suggesting that this phenomenon involves attachment of the monoclonal antibody to the virus followed by attachment of the Fc of this complex to the Fc receptor on the cells. These data indicate that antibody-mediated enhancement of RSV infection can occur in vitro in macrophages. This enhancement may contribute to the pathogenesis of RSV bronchiolitis and the more severe RSV disease seen in recipients of formalin-inactivated RSV vaccine.