Genetic Variants and Immune Responses in a Cohort of Patients With Varicella Zoster Virus Encephalitis.
autophagy
inborn error of immunity
interferon
varicella zoster virus
whole exome sequencing
Journal
The Journal of infectious diseases
ISSN: 1537-6613
Titre abrégé: J Infect Dis
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 0413675
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
15 12 2021
15 12 2021
Historique:
received:
02
04
2021
accepted:
06
05
2021
pubmed:
12
5
2021
medline:
27
1
2022
entrez:
11
5
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV) may involve different central nervous system (CNS) manifestations, including meningitis, encephalitis, and vasculitis. In cases in which otherwise healthy individuals are affected, an inborn error of immunity may underlie increased susceptibility or severity of infection. We collected a cohort of 17 adults who experienced VZV encephalitis and performed whole exome sequencing. Patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells were infected with VZV, and innate antiviral interferon (IFN) and cytokine responses as well as viral replication were evaluated. Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test. We identified a total of 21 different potentially disease-causing variants in a total of 13 of the 17 patients included. These gene variants were within 2 major functional clusters: (1) innate viral sensors and immune pathways and (2) autophagy pathways. Antiviral IFN and cytokine responses were abnormal in the majority of patients, whereas viral replication was increased in only 2 of 17 patients. This study identifies a list of variants of pathogenic potential, which may serve as a platform for generating hypotheses for future studies addressing genetic and immunological factors associated with susceptibility to VZV encephalitis. These data, taken together, suggest that disturbances in innate sensing and autophagy pathways may predispose to VZV encephalitis.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV) may involve different central nervous system (CNS) manifestations, including meningitis, encephalitis, and vasculitis. In cases in which otherwise healthy individuals are affected, an inborn error of immunity may underlie increased susceptibility or severity of infection.
METHODS
We collected a cohort of 17 adults who experienced VZV encephalitis and performed whole exome sequencing. Patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells were infected with VZV, and innate antiviral interferon (IFN) and cytokine responses as well as viral replication were evaluated. Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test.
RESULTS
We identified a total of 21 different potentially disease-causing variants in a total of 13 of the 17 patients included. These gene variants were within 2 major functional clusters: (1) innate viral sensors and immune pathways and (2) autophagy pathways. Antiviral IFN and cytokine responses were abnormal in the majority of patients, whereas viral replication was increased in only 2 of 17 patients.
CONCLUSIONS
This study identifies a list of variants of pathogenic potential, which may serve as a platform for generating hypotheses for future studies addressing genetic and immunological factors associated with susceptibility to VZV encephalitis. These data, taken together, suggest that disturbances in innate sensing and autophagy pathways may predispose to VZV encephalitis.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33974706
pii: 6273784
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiab254
doi:
Substances chimiques
Antiviral Agents
0
Cytokines
0
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
2122-2132Informations de copyright
© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.