Congenital T-cell receptor immunodeficiencies in man

The T-cell receptor (TCR) for antigen is a complex consisting of at least seven polypeptides chains. Two chains form the clonotypic heterodimer, which determines antigen-specificity. The other five constitute the monomorphic CD3 components, which are thought to be involved in signal transduction. We have reported a familial defect in the surface expression of the TCR/CD3 complex on otherwise phenotypically normal T lymphocytes. As a consequence of the surface defect, an impaired T-lymphocyte activation through the TCR and CD3 complex by both antigens and mitogens is observed in this type of immunodeficiency (ID) for which we propose the name TCR ID. In contrast, normal proliferative responses were recorded to TCR-independent activation or proliferation signals (i.e: anti-CD2, phorbol esters and IL-2). We believe that other ID with similar clinical and immunological characteristics, described before the general availability of monoclonal antibodies, may have also been TCR ID. Severe and mild clinical phenotypes of the disease exist which correlate with differences in the levels of TCR surface expression and of T-cell function in vitro. The biochemical basis of the defect in one of the cases thus far studied is an impaired association of CD3-zeta chain with the other chains of the complex. This defect prevented the maturation and transport of the incomplete complex to the cell surface. Due to the multi-subunit nature of the TCR/CD3 complex it is possible that other biochemical defects in TCR assembly may also give rise to TCR ID. The description of mild as well as a severe phenotype in TCR ID points to a threshold effect of TCR/CD3 expression necessary for normal T cell function in vivo since mild TCR ID is clinically asymptomatic. In contrast, severe TCR ID behaves as a clinical SCID, with clear autoimmune features and profound lymphoid tissue depletion. TCR ID and other naturally occurring SCID variants may shed light on fundamental questions of the development, function and biochemistry of the in vivo immune system. Their study and characterization also opens the door to somatic gene therapy in this kind of disorder, which is an obvious goal in ID research.