In a novel form of IFN-γ receptor 1 deficiency, cell surface receptors fail to bind IFN-γ

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Abstract
Complete IFN-γ receptor ligand-binding chain (IFNγR1) deficiency is a life-threatening autosomal recessive immune disorder. Affected children invariably die of mycobacterial infection, unless bone marrow transplantation is undertaken. Pathogenic IFNGR1 mutations identified to date include nonsense and splice mutations and frameshift deletions and insertions. All result in a premature stop codon upstream from the segment encoding the transmembrane domain, precluding cell surface expression of the receptors. We report herein two sporadic and two familial cases of a novel form of complete IFNγR1 deficiency in which normal numbers of receptors are detected at the cell surface. Two in-frame deletions and two missense IFNGR1 mutations were identified in the segment encoding the extracellular ligand-binding domain of the receptor. Eight independent IFNγR1-specific mAb’s, including seven blocking antibodies, gave recognition patterns that differed between patients, suggesting that different epitopes were altered by the mutations. No specific binding of 125I–IFN-γ to cells was observed in any patient, however, and the cells failed to respond to IFN-γ. The mutations therefore cause complete IFNγR1 deficiency by disrupting the IFN-γ–binding site without affecting surface expression. The detection of surface IFNγR1 molecules by specific antibodies, including blocking antibodies, does not exclude a diagnosis of complete IFNγR1 deficiency.

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