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Correlation between phenotypic heterogeneity and gene mutational characteristics in familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL)
Author(s) -
Ueda Ikuyo,
Ishii Eiichi,
Morimoto Akira,
Ohga Shouichi,
Sako Masahiro,
Imashuku Shinsaku
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.20511
Subject(s) - hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis , perforin , missense mutation , cancer research , medicine , immunology , gene , mutation , biology , genetics , disease , immune system , cd8
Abstract Background Classification of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) into FHL2, FHL3, and other subtypes based on genetic abnormalities has recently become possible. We studied the phenotypic differences among these subtypes in Japan. Methods Forty patients clinically diagnosed with FHL were analyzed. Perforin abnormality was screened by flow cytometric analysis and/or DNA sequencing in these patients, and those without perforin abnormalities were further examined for the presence of mutations in the Munc13‐4 gene by DNA sequencing. The correlation between clinical features and genetic subtypes was investigated. Results Of the 40 HLH patients, 11 showed perforin gene mutations (classified as FHL2) and ten had Munc13‐4 gene mutations (FHL3), but neither mutation was noted in 19 patients (non‐FHL2/3). Although the majority of the patients developed the disease before the age of 1 year, the onset in three FHL2 patients with missense mutations was late (7, 11, and 12 years). Incidence of deficient natural killer cell activity was higher in FHL2 patients (9/9 FHL2, 4/9 FHL3, and 6/17 non‐FHL2/3; P = 0.005). The serum levels of ferritin and soluble interleukin‐2 receptor were significantly higher in FHL2 patients with nonsense perforin mutations compared to other subgroups ( P ≤ 0.05). Epstein–Barr virus infection was involved in 8 of the 40 HLH patients: one FHL2, one FHL3, and six non‐FHL2/3. Conclusions Although clinical features of FHL3 appear to be homogeneous, the heterogeneous clinical features of FHL2 depend upon the nature of perforin gene mutations. Characterization of the non‐FHL2/3 group with regard to FHL1 or other novel gene mutations remains to be conducted. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2006, 46:482–488. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.