Besides unique patients with immunodeficiency and immunodysregulation disorders lacking known diagnoses, our intake includes patients with combined immunodeficiency, common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), variants of hyper-IgE syndrome or autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS), Evans syndrome, caspase-8-deficiency state (CEDS), B cell expansion with NF-kB and T cell anergy (BENTA) disease, X-linked Magnesium defect with EBV infection and Neoplasia (XMEN), PASLI (p110 delta activation mutation causing senescent T cells, lymphadenopathy, and immunodeficiency) disease, and CHAI (CTLA4 haploinsufficiency with autoimmune infiltration) disease. Patients with EBV, rhinovirus, influenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus susceptibility have also been investigated. Our evaluation includes functional screening and gene sequencing, and a subset of patients is also being intensively studied using biochemical analyses, gene expression microarrays, flow cytometric analyses, in vitro functional tests, and other technologies. These experiments have provided leads for sequencing of new candidate genes not previously associated with disease. Additionally, we are using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) arrays, whole exome sequencing, whole genome sequencing, and other technologies to determine genetic causes of new immunological diseases in an unbiased manner. In FY2016, we also initiated a collaborative study with the NIH Clinical Center and NHGRI that is aimed not only at identifying underlying monogenetic causes of novel immune disorders, but also is aimed at integrating into clinical practice incidental genetic findings found on whole exome sequencing. Other ongoing collaborative studies involve investigating the natural history and optimal treatment for PASLI and CHAI diseases.
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