The patient had undetectable levels of IgG, IgA and IgM and normal numbers of circulating lymphocytes (10 686 cells per µl) with remarkable eosinophilia (4030 cells per µl). The rest of his initial immune work-up is summarized
in Table 1. Genetic work-up revealed a compound heterozygous RAG2 defect (G95V+E480X). The patient was commenced on CsA treatment; however, his cutaneous symptoms did not improve despite maintaining a high CsA trough level (100–150 ng/ml). Therefore, methylprednisone (2 mg/kg/day) was added and slow resolution of his cutaneous symptoms was observed. The patient was kept on both CsA and methylprednisone treatments until a successful HLA-matched cord blood transplantation was performed learn more at the age of 6 months. In both patients, transplantations were successful and they have been currently followed for 2 years (patient 1) and 1 year (patient 2), with complete recovery of their symptoms and full reconstitution of their immune system. TCR repertoire. Examination of TCR-Vβ at presentation
revealed peripheral expansion of oligoclonal T cells with dominant specific receptors. In patient 1, the dominant clone was TCR-Vβ 20, while in patient 2, TCR-Vβ 17 and TCR-Vβ 7·2 were dominant (Fig. 1a,b). Clonal patterns were also seen in the examined TCR-Vγ repertoire in both patients (Fig. 2a,b). These results suggest abnormal thymocyte selection and peripheral GPX6 expansion, as expected in
Omenn patients. Patient 1 showed a significant clinical improvement during CsA therapy; therefore, a follow-up analysis of his TCR repertoire Y-27632 solubility dmso was not indicated. However, in order to show that the patient did not have any expanded peripheral T cells, prior to the HSCT procedure, analysis of his TCR-Vγ repertoire was performed. The analysis revealed complete lymphopenia and no TCR expansion (Fig. 2c). In contrast, patient 2 did not respond completely to the initial treatment with CsA and remained symptomatic, therefore a follow-up analysis of his TCR repertoire was performed (Fig. 1c–e). Surprisingly, while the expression of the dominant TCR-Vβ 17 clone was reduced, the TCR-Vβ 7·2 clone did not respond to CsA therapy. Moreover, a few other TCRs, such as TCR-Vβ 14 and TCR-Vβ 5·1, started to appear (Fig. 1c). Only the addition of methylprednisone treatment resulted in suppression of these clones (Fig. 1d). However, even before the transplant, the patient still suffered mild skin symptoms, which were probably attributed to the presence of the TCR-Vβ 14 clone (Fig. 1e). Changes in the relevant TCRs during the treatment are presented in Fig. 3. During that time the patient was clinically stable apart from his skin symptoms and had no overt infection or other reason to explain clonal expansion. Trec quantification.