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A Murine Model of X-Linked Moesin-Associated Immunodeficiency (X-MAID) Reveals Defects in T Cell Homeostasis and Migration

Authors :
Lyndsay Avery
Tanner F. Robertson
Christine F. Wu
Nathan H. Roy
Samuel D. Chauvin
Eric Perkey
Ashley Vanderbeck
Ivan Maillard
Janis K. Burkhardt
Source :
Frontiers in Immunology, Vol 12 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2022.

Abstract

X-linked moesin associated immunodeficiency (X-MAID) is a primary immunodeficiency disease in which patients suffer from profound lymphopenia leading to recurrent infections. The disease is caused by a single point mutation leading to a R171W amino acid change in the protein moesin (moesinR171W). Moesin is a member of the ERM family of proteins, which reversibly link the cortical actin cytoskeleton to the plasma membrane. Here, we describe a novel mouse model with global expression of moesinR171W that recapitulates multiple facets of patient disease, including severe lymphopenia. Further analysis reveals that these mice have diminished numbers of thymocytes and bone marrow precursors. X-MAID mice also exhibit systemic inflammation that is ameliorated by elimination of mature lymphocytes through breeding to a Rag1-deficient background. The few T cells in the periphery of X-MAID mice are highly activated and have mostly lost moesinR171W expression. In contrast, single-positive (SP) thymocytes do not appear activated and retain high expression levels of moesinR171W. Analysis of ex vivo CD4 SP thymocytes reveals defects in chemotactic responses and reduced migration on integrin ligands. While chemokine signaling appears intact, CD4 SP thymocytes from X-MAID mice are unable to polarize and rearrange cytoskeletal elements. This mouse model will be a valuable tool for teasing apart the complexity of the immunodeficiency caused by moesinR171W, and will provide new insights into how the actin cortex regulates lymphocyte function.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
16643224
Volume :
12
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Immunology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.5d9b6894ef484ac99865935e08f454e1
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.726406