Heterozygous CTLA-4 splice site mutation c.458-1G>C
presenting with variable degree of immune dysregulation and autoimmunity
in three generation kindred of Caribbean descent
Abstract
Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) is an immune
checkpoint, which downregulates T cell activation and T regulatory cell
function. CTLA-4 haploinsufficiency (CTLA4 HI) leads to T cell
hyperactivation, immune dysregulation, lymphoproliferation and cancer
predisposition. Less well understood is the penetrance and expressivity
of CTLA-4 mutations. We describe five members of a single family with
heterozygous CTLA-4 splice site mutation c.458-1G>C,
previously shown to result in CTLA-4 HI, who presented with variable
degree of immune dysfunction, lymphocytic infiltration and autoimmunity.
The host, environmental and the epigenetic factors affecting the
penetrance and expressivity of CTLA-4 mutations merits further
investigation.