Aging, Bone Marrow and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS): Recent Advances and Future Perspectives.

The aging of bone marrow (BM) remains a very imperative and alluring subject, with an ever-increasing interest among fellow scientists. A considerable amount of progress has been made in this field with the established 'hallmarks of aging' and continued efforts to investigate the age-related changes observed within the BM. Inflammaging is considered as a low-grade state of inflammation associated with aging, and whilst the possible mechanisms by which aging occurs are now largely understood, the processes leading to the underlying changes within aged BM remain elusive. The ability to identify these changes and detect such alterations at the genetic level are key to broadening the knowledgebase of aging BM. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is an important molecular-level application presenting the ability to not only determine genomic base changes but provide transcriptional profiling (RNA-seq), as well as a high-throughput analysis of DNA-protein interactions (ChIP-seq). Utilising NGS to explore the genetic alterations occurring over the aging process within alterative cell types facilitates the comprehension of the molecular and cellular changes influencing the dynamics of aging BM. Thus, this review prospects the current landscape of BM aging and explores how NGS technology is currently being applied within this ever-expanding field of research.

Molecular genetic investigation, clinical features, and response to treatment in 21 patients with Schnitzler syndrome.

To date, the pathogenic mechanisms underlying Schnitzler syndrome remain obscure, in particular, the interplay between the monoclonal protein and increased interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) production, although interest in the contribution of genetic factors has been fueled by detection of somatic NLRP3 mosaicism in 2 patients with the variant-type Schnitzler syndrome. At 2 specialist UK centers, we have identified 21 patients who fulfilled diagnostic criteria for Schnitzler syndrome with urticarial rash, fever, arthralgia, and bone pain; 47% reported weight loss, 40% fatigue, and 21% lymphadenopathy. An immunoglobulin M (IgM) κ paraprotein was detected in 86%; the remainder had IgM λ or IgG κ. Patients underwent searches for germ line and somatic mutations using next-generation sequencing technology. Moreover, we designed a panel consisting of 32 autoinflammatory genes to explore genetic susceptibility factor(s) to Schnitzler syndrome. Genetic analysis revealed neither germ line nor somatic NLRP3, TNFRSF1A, NLRC4, or NOD2 mutations, apart from 1 patient with a germ line NLRP3 p.V198M substitution. The proinflammatory cytokines and extracellular apoptosis-associated speck-like protein with caspase recruitment domain (ASC) measured in the serum of Schnitzler syndrome patients during active disease were significantly higher than healthy controls. Ninety-five percent of our cohort achieved a complete response to recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist (anakinra). Our findings do not support a role for somatic NLRP3 mosaicism in disease pathogenesis; although elevated levels of ASC, IL-6, and IL-18 in patients' serum, and the response to anakinra, suggest that Schnitzler syndrome is associated with upregulated inflammasome activation. Despite its rarity, Schnitzler syndrome is an important diagnosis as treatment with IL-1 antagonists dramatically improves quality of life for patients.

Hereditary systemic autoinflammatory diseases and Schnitzler's syndrome.

The systemic autoinflammatory diseases are disorders of the innate immune system distinguished by severe inflammation resulting from dysregulation of the innate immune system. Hereditary fever syndromes, such as FMF, TNF receptor-associated periodic syndrome, cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes and mevalonate kinase deficiency, were the first group of systemic autoinflammatory diseases for which a genetic basis was established, between 1999 and 2001. Currently according to the latest report of the international union of immunological societies, 37 separate monogenic disorders were classified as autoinflammatory. In addition to the abovementioned monogenic conditions, we describe Schnitzler's syndrome, a well-defined, acquired autoinflammatory condition without a clear genetic basis. For the purposes of this review, we discuss several conditions defined by the latest consensus process as systemic autoinflammatory diseases. We focus on those disorders where recent studies have contributed to further phenotypic characterization or had an impact on clinical management.

Evidence of B Cell Clonality and Investigation Into Properties of the IgM in Patients With Schnitzler Syndrome.

The Schnitzler Syndrome (SchS) is an acquired, autoinflammatory condition successfully treated with IL-1 inhibition. The two main defining features of this late-onset condition are neutrophilic urticarial dermatoses (NUD) and the presence of an IgM monoclonal component. While the former aspect has been extensively studied in this disease setting, the enigmatic paraproteinaemia and its potential consequential effects within SchS, has not previously been thoroughly addressed. Previous studies analyzing clonal B cell repertoires have largely focused on autoimmune disorders such as Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE) and hematological malignancies such as Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL), where B-cell clonality is central to disease pathology. The present study uses next-generation sequencing to provide detailed insight into aspects of B cell VDJ recombination and properties of the resulting immunoglobulin chains. An overview of IgH regional dynamics in 10 SchS patients, with a particular focus on CDR3 sequences and VDJ gene usage is reported, highlighting the presence of specific B cell expansions. Protein microarray detected a substantial proportion of autoreactive IgM to nuclear target proteins, though a single universal target was not identified. Together, these genetic and functional findings impart new understanding into this rare disorder.

Exploratory Study of MYD88 L265P, Rare NLRP3 Variants, and Clonal Hematopoiesis Prevalence in Patients With Schnitzler Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of the MYD88 L265P mutation and variants within NLRP3 and evaluate the status of oligoclonal hematopoiesis in 30 patients with Schnitzler syndrome (SchS). METHODS: Thirty patients with SchS were recruited from 3 clinical centers. Six patients with known acquired cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (aCAPS) were included as controls. Allele-specific oligonucleotide-polymerase chain reaction was used for the detection of the MYD88 L265P variant, next-generation sequencing was applied to analyze NLRP3 and 28 genes associated with myelodysplastic syndrome, and gene scanning was performed for the detection of X chromosome inactivation. RESULTS: Activating NLRP3 mutations were not present in 11 SchS patients who had not been sequenced for this gene previously. The MYD88 L265P variant was present in 9 of 30 SchS patients, and somatic mutations associated with clonal hematopoiesis were identified in 1 of 30 patients with SchS and 1 of 6 patients with aCAPS. Evidence of nonrandom X chromosome inactivation was detected in 1 female patient with SchS and 1 female patient with aCAPS. CONCLUSION: A shared molecular mechanism accounting for the pathogenesis of inflammation in SchS remains elusive. Clonal hematopoiesis is not associated with other somatic mutations found in individuals with SchS or aCAPS.

ENaC-mediated sodium influx exacerbates NLRP3-dependent inflammation in cystic fibrosis.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a monogenic disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, resulting in defective CFTR-mediated chloride and bicarbonate transport, with dysregulation of epithelial sodium channels (ENaC). These changes alter fluid and electrolyte homeostasis and result in an exaggerated proinflammatory response driven, in part, by infection. We tested the hypothesis that NLRP3 inflammasome activation and ENaC upregulation drives exaggerated innate-immune responses in this multisystem disease. We identify an enhanced proinflammatory signature, as evidenced by increased levels of IL-18, IL-1ß, caspase-1 activity and ASC-speck release in monocytes, epithelia and serum with CF-associated mutations; these differences were reversed by pretreatment with NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors and notably, inhibition of amiloride-sensitive sodium (Na+) channels. Overexpression of ß-ENaC, in the absence of CFTR dysfunction, increased NLRP3-mediated inflammation, indicating that dysregulated, ENaC-dependent signalling may drive exaggerated inflammatory responses in CF. These data support a role for sodium in modulating NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

A Case of Adult-Onset Still's Disease Caused by a Novel Splicing Mutation in TNFAIP3 Successfully Treated With Tocilizumab.

TNFAIP3 encodes the NF-κB regulatory protein A20. High-penetrance heterozygous mutations in TNFAIP3 cause a haploinsufficiency of A20 (HA20), inadequate inhibition of NF-κB pathway, and an early onset autoinflammatory disorder. However, the clinical phenotype of patients with HA20 varies greatly and clinical diagnoses prior to establishing the genetic cause, included both autoimmune and autoinflammatory conditions. Here, we present the first patient with HA20, who was previously diagnosed with AOSD but was later found to have a novel heterozygous variant in TNFAIP3 and who was successfully treated with anti-IL6 receptor biologic tocilizumab (RoActemra). We discovered a novel heterozygous mutation in TNFAIP3 c.1906C>T, not previously found in ExAC database. Further analysis shows that this single-nucleotide variant at the terminal residue of TNFAIP3 exon 7 produces an alternatively spliced mRNA resulting in p.His636fsTer1. Additional genetic analysis of family members shows that this variant does segregate with the inflammatory clinical phenotypes. Subsequent functional test show that NF-κB activation, measured as intracellular phosphorylation of p65 in CD14 + monocytes, was more enhanced in the patient compared with healthy controls (HC) following stimulation with LPS. This was associated with higher production of inflammatory cytokines by the patients PBMC in response to LPS and ATP and enhanced activation of NLRP3 inflammasome complex. Furthermore, increased activation of NLRP3 inflammasome was evident systemically, since we detected higher levels of ASC specks in patients' sera compared with HC. Finally, we used population genetics data from GnomAD to construct a map of both genetic conservation and most probable disease-causing variants in TNFAIP3 which might be found in future cases of HA20.

Autoinflammatory diseases: update on classification diagnosis and management.

The spectrum of systemic autoinflammatory disorders broadens continually. In part, this is due to the more widespread application of massive parallel sequencing, helping with novel gene discovery in this and other areas of rare diseases. Some of the conditions that have been described fit neatly into a conventional idea of autoinflammation. Others, such as interferon-mediated autoinflammatory diseases, are broadening the concept which we consider to be autoinflammatory disorders. There is also a widening of the clinical phenotypes associated with certain genetic mutations, as genetic testing is used more regularly and increasing numbers of patients are screened. It is also increasingly evident that both autoinflammatory and autoimmune problems are frequently seen as complications of primary immunodeficiency disorders. The aim of this review is to provide an update on some recently discovered conditions and to discuss how these disorders help to define the concept of autoinflammation. The review will also cover recent discoveries in the biology of innate-immune-mediated inflammation and describe how this has provided the biological rationale for using anti-interleukin-1 therapies in the treatment of many such conditions. Finally, we discuss the importance of recognising somatic mutations as causes of autoinflammatory clinical phenotypes and provide practical advice on how this could be tackled in everyday clinical practice.