CARD11 dominant negative mutation leads to altered human Natural Killer cell homeostasis

Abstract

Dominant negative mutations in CARD11 have been reported in patients with immune dysregulation, severe atopic features, and variable T cell alterations. Data on Natural killer (NK) cells from affected patients are lacking. We report on a 12-year-old boy with severe atopic dermatitis, food induced anaphylaxis and hypogammaglobulinemia harbouring a novel de novo heterozygous variant c.169G > A; p.Glu57Lys in CARD11. The dominant negative effect of this mutation was confirmed on both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺. CTLA4⁺Foxp3⁺CD4⁺ Tregs were severely reduced. Patient's NK cells showed reduced expression of NKp46, NKG2D and CD69. Patient's CD56^bright NK cells showed in vitro impaired production of IFN-γ. Steady state pS6 levels on patient's NK cells were increased and remained elevated upon IL2 + IL12 + IL18 overnight stimulation. Overall, the effect of CARD11 mutation on mTORC1 differs between T and NK cells. These findings may explain the increased susceptibility to viral infections and the reduced immune surveillance in affected patients.

Keywords: Atopic diseases; CARD11; CBM complex; Immune dysregulation; Inborn error of immunity; NK cells.