Primary Immunodeficiency in Children With Autoimmune Cytopenias: Retrospective 154-Patient Cohort.

Background: Primary immunodeficiency is common among patients with autoimmune cytopenia. Objective: The purpose of this study is to retrospectively identify key clinical features and biomarkers of primary immunodeficiency (PID) in pediatric patients with autoimmune cytopenias (AIC) so as to facilitate early diagnosis and targeted therapy. Methods: Electronic medical records at a pediatric tertiary care center were reviewed. We selected 154 patients with both AIC and PID (n=17), or AIC alone (n=137) for inclusion in two cohorts. Immunoglobulin levels, vaccine titers, lymphocyte subsets (T, B and NK cells), autoantibodies, clinical characteristics, and response to treatment were recorded. Results: Clinical features associated with AIC-PID included splenomegaly, short stature, and recurrent or chronic infections. PID patients were more likely to have autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) or Evans syndrome than AIC-only patients. The AIC-PID group was also distinguished by low T cells (CD3 and CD8), low immunoglobulins (IgG and IgA), and higher prevalence of autoantibodies to red blood cells, platelets or neutrophils. AIC diagnosis preceded PID diagnosis by 3 years on average, except among those with partial DiGeorge syndrome. AIC-PID patients were more likely to fail first-line treatment. Conclusions: AIC patients, especially those with Evans syndrome or AIHA, should be evaluated for PID. Lymphocyte subsets and immune globulins serve as a rapid screen for underlying PID. Early detection of patients with comorbid PID and AIC may improve treatment outcomes. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the diagnostic clues identified and to guide targeted therapy.

Leptin Decreases Energy Expenditure Despite Increased Thyroid Hormone in Patients With Lipodystrophy.

CONTEXT: Leptin is an adipokine that signals energy sufficiency. In rodents, leptin deficiency decreases energy expenditure (EE), which is corrected following leptin replacement. In humans, data are mixed regarding leptin-mediated effects on EE. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of metreleptin on EE in patients with lipodystrophy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Nonrandomized crossover study of 25 patients with lipodystrophy (National Institutes of Health, 2013-2018). INTERVENTION: The initiation cohort consisted of 17 patients without prior exposure to metreleptin, studied before and after 14 days of metreleptin. The withdrawal cohort consisted of 8 previously metreleptin-treated patients, studied before and after 14 days of metreleptin withdrawal. MAIN OUTCOMES: 24-h total energy expenditure (TEE), resting energy expenditure (REE), autonomic nervous system activity [heart rate variability (HrV)], plasma-free triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (T4), epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. RESULTS: In the initiation cohort, TEE and REE decreased by 5.0% (121 ±â€…152 kcal/day; P = 0.006) and 5.9% (120 ±â€…175 kcal/day; P = 0.02). Free T3 increased by 19.4% (40 ±â€…49 pg/dL; P = 0.01). No changes in catecholamines or HrV were observed. In the withdrawal cohort, free T3 decreased by 8.0% (P = 0.04), free T4 decreased by 11.9% (P = 0.002), and norepinephrine decreased by 34.2% (P = 0.03), but no changes in EE, epinephrine, dopamine, or HrV were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Metreleptin initiation decreased EE in patients with lipodystrophy, but no changes were observed after metreleptin withdrawal. Thyroid hormone was higher on metreleptin in both initiation and withdrawal cohorts. Decreased EE after metreleptin in lipodystrophy may result from reductions in energy-requiring metabolic processes that counteract increases in EE via adipose tissue-specific neuroendocrine and adrenergic signaling.

Two Unique Cases of X-linked SCID: A Diagnostic Challenge in the Era of Newborn Screening.

In the era of newborn screening (NBS) for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and the possibility of gene therapy (GT), it is important to link SCID phenotype to the underlying genetic disease. In western countries, X-linked interleukin 2 receptor gamma chain (IL2RG) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency SCID are two of the most common types of SCID and can be treated by GT. As a challenge, both IL2RG and ADA genes are highly polymorphic and a gene-based diagnosis may be difficult if the variant is of unknown significance or if it is located in non-coding areas of the genes that are not routinely evaluated with exon-based genetic testing (e.g., introns, promoters, and the 5'and 3' untranslated regions). Therefore, it is important to extend evaluation to non-coding areas of a SCID gene if the exon-based sequencing is inconclusive and there is strong suspicion that a variant in that gene is the cause for disease. Functional studies are often required in these cases to confirm a pathogenic variant. We present here two unique examples of X-linked SCID with variable immune phenotypes, where IL2R gamma chain expression was detected and no pathogenic variant was identified on initial genetic testing. Pathogenic IL2RG variants were subsequently confirmed by functional assay of gamma chain signaling and maternal X-inactivation studies. We propose that such tests can facilitate confirmation of suspected cases of X-linked SCID in newborns when initial genetic testing is inconclusive. Early identification of pathogenic IL2RG variants is especially important to ensure eligibility for gene therapy.

Effects of Metreleptin in Pediatric Patients With Lipodystrophy.

Context: Lipodystrophy syndromes are rare disorders of deficient adipose tissue. Metreleptin, a human analog of leptin, improved metabolic abnormalities in mixed cohorts of children and adults with lipodystrophy and low leptin. Objective: Determine effects of metreleptin on diabetes, hyperlipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), growth, and puberty in pediatric patients with lipodystrophy and low leptin. Design: Prospective, single-arm, open-label studies with continuous enrollment since 2000. Setting: National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. Patients: Fifty-three patients aged 6 months to <18 years with lipodystrophy, leptin level <8 ng/mL (male patients) or <12 ng/mL (female patients), and ≥1 metabolic abnormality (diabetes, insulin resistance, or hypertriglyceridemia). Intervention: Subcutaneous metreleptin injections (0.04 to 0.19 mg/kg/d). Main Outcome Measures: Change in A1c, lipid, and transaminase levels after a mean ± standard deviation (SD) of 12 ± 0.2 months and 61 ± 39 months. Changes in liver histology, growth, and pubertal development throughout treatment. Results: After 12 months, the A1c level (mean ± SD) decreased from 8.3% ± 2.4% to 6.5% ± 1.8%, and median triglyceride level decreased from 374 mg/dL [geometric mean (25th,75th percentile), 190, 1065] to 189 mg/dL (112, 334; P < 0.0001), despite decreased glucose- and lipid-lowering medications. The median [geometric mean (25th,75th percentile)] alanine aminotransferase level decreased from 73 U/L (45, 126) to 41 U/L (25, 59; P = 0.001), and that of aspartate aminotransferase decreased from 51 U/L (29, 90) to 26 U/L (18, 42; P = 0.0002). These improvements were maintained over long-term treatment. In 17 patients who underwent paired biopsies, the NAFLD activity score (mean ± SD) decreased from 4.5 ± 2.0 to 3.4 ± 2.0 after 3.3 ± 3.2 years of metreleptin therapy (P = 0.03). There were no clinically significant changes in growth or puberty. Conclusion: Metreleptin lowered A1c and triglyceride levels, and improved biomarkers of NAFLD in pediatric patients with lipodystrophy. These improvements are likely to reduce the lifetime burden of disease.

Metreleptin for injection to treat the complications of leptin deficiency in patients with congenital or acquired generalized lipodystrophy.

The lipodystrophies represent a class of diseases characterized by leptin deficiency. Leptin deficiency is associated with a severe form of the metabolic syndrome characterized by dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, diabetes, and ovarian dysfunction. Metreleptin is the pharmaceutical derived product that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the severe metabolic abnormalities of the generalized forms of lipodystrophy. Herein we describe the properties of metreleptin, its use in patients, which includes the administration of the drug and how it may be acquired by medical professionals as well as its safety, tolerability, and properties. Finally, we speculate on future uses and development of metreleptin.

Leptin Does Not Mediate Hypertension Associated With Human Obesity.

Hypertension and obesity are known to be linked, with recent studies in mice proposing that leptin may be mediating this effect. This regulation, however, may not extend to humans, where a yet-to-be-identified factor is likely the underlying cause of hypertension.

Mild Caloric Restriction Decreases Insulin Requirements in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Severe Insulin Resistance.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects ~10% of the US population, a subset of whom have severe insulin resistance (SIR) (>200 units/d). Treatment of these patients with high-dose insulin presents logistical and compliance challenges. We hypothesized that mild caloric restriction would reduce insulin requirements in patients with T2D and SIR.This was a retrospective study at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. Inclusion criteria were as follows: T2D, and insulin dose >200 units/d or >2 units/kg/d. The intervention consisted of mild caloric restriction during a 3 to 6-day hospitalization. The major outcomes were change in insulin dose and blood glucose from admission to discharge.Ten patients met inclusion criteria. Baseline glycated hemoglobin A1c was 10.0 ± 1.6% and body mass index 38.8 ± 9.0 kg/m. Food intake was restricted from 2210 ± 371 kcal/d preadmission to 1810 ± 202 during the hospital stay (16.5% reduction). Insulin dose decreased from 486 ± 291 units/d preadmission to 223 ± 127 at discharge (44% reduction, P = 0.0025). Blood sugars decreased nonsignificantly in the fasting state (from 184 ± 85 to 141 ± 42, P = 0.20), before lunch (239 ± 68 to 180 ± 76, P = 0.057), and at bedtime (212 ± 95 to 176 ± 48, P = 0.19), and significantly decreased before dinner (222 ± 92 to 162 ± 70, P = 0.016).Mild caloric restriction, an accessible and affordable intervention, substantially reduced insulin doses in patients with T2D and SIR. Further studies are needed to determine if the intervention and results are sustainable outside of a hospital setting.