Decreased IL-17-producing T_H cells as a diagnostic marker for STAT signaling-related primary immunodeficiencies

Certain primary immunodeficiencies present with decreased T_H17 counts, including signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)- and dedicator of cytokinesis 8 (DOCK8)-linked hyper-IgE syndrome (HIES) and STAT1-linked chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis disease (CMCD). The diagnosis of CMCD and HIES relies on clinical features and molecular genetics.

We sought to evaluate the diagnostic use of T_H17% in patients suspected of HIES or CMCD.

A total of 160 patient samples assessed for T_H17% at Great Ormond Street Hospital National Health Service Foundation Trust for Children, London, between 2019 and 2022 were included in this cohort. Among them, 94 patients exhibited low T_H17% (<0.4%). Sufficient clinical and molecular data were available for 52 patients. Clinical data, molecular genetic results, and National Institutes of Health-HIES scores were analyzed.

From the 52 evaluable patients with a low T_H17%, 27 (51.92%) harbored pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants in the genes STAT1 (n = 8), STAT3 (n = 12), DOCK8 (n = 6), and autoimmune regulator (AIRE ) (n = 1). In contrast, no disease-causing variants in these genes were identified in patients with a normal T_H17% (n = 58). From the scoring parameters, elevated IgE levels (P = .0008), pneumonia (P = .0200), and pathological fractures (P = .0622) were associated with a diagnosis of HIES.

T_H17 measurement demonstrated high sensitivity for detecting P/LP variants of STAT3, DOCK8, or STAT1. Although T_H17 measurement is a valuable screening tool for excluding patients with P/LP variants in these genes, molecular genetics remains essential for a definitive diagnosis.