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Journal of clinical immunologyMar 2022 DOI:
10.1007/s10875-022-01209-5

Mutations in RNU7-1 Weaken Secondary RNA Structure, Induce MCP-1 and CXCL10 in CSF, and Result in Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome with Severe End-Organ Involvement

Naesens, Leslie; Nemegeer, Josephine; Roelens, Filip; Vallaeys, Lore; Meuwissen, Marije; Janssens, Katrien; Verloo, Patrick; Ogunjimi, Benson; Hemelsoet, Dimitri; Program for Undiagnosed Rare Diseases (UD-PrOZA), ; Hoste, Levi; Roels, Lisa; De Bruyne, Marieke; De Baere, Elfride; Van Dorpe, Jo; Dendooven, Amélie; Sieben, Anne; Rice, Gillian I; Kerre, Tessa; Beyaert, Rudi; Uggenti, Carolina; Crow, Yanick J; Tavernier, Simon J; Maelfait, Jonathan; Haerynck, Filomeen
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Abstract
Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) is a type I interferonopathy usually characterized by early-onset neurologic regression. Biallelic mutations in LSM11 and RNU7-1, components of the U7 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) complex, have been identified in a limited number of genetically unexplained AGS cases. Impairment of U7 snRNP function results in misprocessing of replication-dependent histone (RDH) pre-mRNA and disturbance of histone occupancy of nuclear DNA, ultimately driving cGAS-dependent type I interferon (IFN-I) release.We performed a clinical, genetic, and immunological workup of 3 unrelated patients with uncharacterized AGS.Whole exome sequencing (WES) and targeted Sanger sequencing of RNU7-1 were performed. Primary fibroblasts were used for mechanistic studies. IFN-I signature and STAT1/2 phosphorylation were assessed in peripheral blood. Cytokines were profiled on serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Histopathology was examined on brain and kidney tissue.Sequencing revealed compound heterozygous RNU7-1 mutations, resulting in impaired RDH pre-mRNA processing. The 3' stem-loop mutations reduced stability of the secondary U7 snRNA structure. A discrete IFN-I signature in peripheral blood was paralleled by MCP-1 (CCL2) and CXCL10 upregulation in CSF. Histopathological analysis of the kidney showed thrombotic microangiopathy. We observed dysregulated STAT phosphorylation upon cytokine stimulation. Clinical overview of all reported patients with RNU7-1-related disease revealed high mortality and high incidence of organ involvement compared to other AGS genotypes.Targeted RNU7-1 sequencing is recommended in genetically unexplained AGS cases. CSF cytokine profiling represents an additional diagnostic tool to identify aberrant IFN-I signaling. Clinical follow-up of RNU7-1-mutated patients should include screening for severe end-organ involvement including liver disease and nephropathy.
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