Nuclear factor-kappa B Essential Modulator (NEMO) deficiency syndrome is a rare type of primary immunodeficiency disease that has a highly variable set of symptoms and prognoses. It mainly affects the skin and immune system but has the potential to affect all parts of the body, including the lungsurinary tract and gastrointestinal tract. It is a monogenetic disease caused by mutation in the IKBKG gene (IKKγ, also known as the NF-κB essential modulator, or NEMO). NEMO is the modulator protein in the IKK inhibitor complex that, when activated, phosphorylates the inhibitor of the NF-κB transcription factors allowing for the translocation of transcription factors into the nucleus.

The link between IKBKG mutations and NEMO deficiency was identified in 1999. IKBKG is located on the is X chromosome and is X-linked therefore this diseases predominantly affects males, However females may be genetic carriers of certain types of mutations. Other forms of the syndrome involving NEMO-related pathways can be passed on from parent to child in an autosomal dominant manner – this means that a child only has to inherit the faulty gene from one parent to develop the condition. This autosomal dominant type of NEMO deficiency syndrome can affect both boys and girls.

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

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Diagnosis

Originally NEMO deficiency syndrome was thought to be a combination of Ectodermal Dysplasia (ED) and a lack of immune function , but is now understood to be more complex disease. NEMO Deficiency Syndrome may manifest itself in the form of several different diseases dependent upon mutations of the IKBKG gene such as Incontinentia pigmenti or Ectodermal dysplasia.

The clinical presentation of NEMO deficiency is determined by three main symptoms:

  1. Susceptibility to pyogenic infections in the form of severe local inflammation
  2. Susceptibility to mycobacterial infection
  3. Symptoms of Ectodermal Dysplasia

To determine whether or not patient has NEMO deficiency, an immunologic screen to test immune system response to antigen may be used although a genetic test is the only way to be certain as many individuals respond differently to the immunological tests.

Commonly Associated Diseases

NEMO deficiency syndrome may present itself as Incontinentia pigmenti or Ectodermal dysplasia depending on the type of genetic mutation present, such as if the mutation results in the complete loss of gene function or a point mutation. Amorphic genetic mutations in the IKBKG gene, which result in the loss of gene function, typically present themselves as Incontinetia Pigmenti (IP). Because loss of NEMO function is lethal, only heterozygous females or males with XXY karyotype or mosaicism for this gene survive and exhibit symptoms of Incontinetia Pigmenti, such as skin lesions and abnormalities in hair, teeth, and nails. There are a variety of mutations that may cause the symptoms of IP, however, they all involve the deletion of exons on the IKBKG gene. Hypomorphic genetic mutations in the IKBKG gene, resulting in a partial loss of gene function, cause the onset of Anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia with Immunodeficiency (EDA-IP). The lack of NEMO results in a decreased levels of NF-kB transcription factor translocation and gene transcription, which in turn leads to a low level of immunoglobulin production. Because NF-kB translocation is unable to occur without proper NEMO function, the cell signaling response to immune mediators such as IL-1β, IL-18, and LPS are ineffective thus leading to a compromised immune response to various forms of bacterial infections.

Treatment

The aim of treatment is to prevent infections so children will usually be started on immunoglobulin treatment. Immunoglobulin is also known as IgG or antibody. It is a blood product and is given as replacement for people who are unable to make their own antibodies. It is the mainstay of treatment for patients affected by primary antibody deficiency. In addition to immunoglobulin treatment, children may need to take antibiotics or antifungal medicines to prevent infections or treat them promptly when they occur. Regular monitoring and check-ups will help to catch infections early. If an autoimmune response occurs, this can be treated with steroid and/or biologic medicines to damp down the immune system so relieving the symptoms.

In some severely affected patients, NEMO deficiency syndrome is treated using a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant. The aim is to replace the faulty immune system with an immune system from a healthy donor.

References[edit | edit source]

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  1. Jump up^ 
  2. Jump up^ NEMO deficiency syndrome informationGreat Ormond Street Hospital for Children
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  8. Jump up^ Zhang, Qian; Lenardo, Michael; Baltimore, David. "30 Years of NF-κB: A Blossoming of Relevance to Human Pathobiology". Cell.

Outline/Planning

Adding to "NEMO deficiency syndrome"

-What mechanistic alterations cause this disease?

NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO) plays an important role in the regulation of the NF-κB transcription.... (add in what the case report shows) factor [1]


Genetic disorders resulting from NF-κB mutations and relationship to immunodeficiency [2]

NF-κB and inflammatory response of the immune system [3]

Diseases and NEMO (specifically Lupus) [4]

Range of effects [5]

  1. ^ Braue, Jonathan; Murugesan, Vagishwari; Holland, Steven; Patel, Nishit; Naik, Eknath; Leiding, Jennifer; Tareq Yacoub, Abraham; Prieto-Granada, Carlos; Greene, John N (1 Jan 2015). "NF-κB Essential Modulator Deficiency Leading to Disseminated Cutaneous Atypical Mycobacteria". Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis. 7 (1): e2015010. doi:10.4084/MJHID.2015.010. PMC 4283928. PMID 25574369.
  2. ^ Orange, Jordan S.; Geha, Raif S. (1 Oct 2003). "Finding NEMO: genetic disorders of NF-κB activation". J Clin Invest. 112 (7): 983–985. doi:10.1172/JCI200319960. PMC 200971. PMID 14523034.
  3. ^ Fusco, Francesca; Pescatore, Alessandra; Conte, Matilde; Mirabelli, Peppino; Esposito, Elio; Lioi, Maria; Ursini, Matilde (12 Feb 2015). "EDA-ID and IP, two faces of the same coin: how the same IKBKG/NEMO mutation affecting the NF-κB pathway can cause immunodeficiency and/or inflammation". International Reviews of Immunology. 34 (6): 445–59. doi:10.3109/08830185.2015.1055331. PMID 26269396. S2CID 22381189.
  4. ^ Piccoli, GB; Attini, R; Vigotti, FN; Naretto, C; Fassio, F; Randone, O; Restagno, G; Todros, T; Roccatello, D (10 Jan 2012). "NEMO syndrome (incontinentia pigmenti) and systemic lupus erythematosus: A new disease association". Lupus. 21 (6): 675–81. doi:10.1177/0961203311433140. hdl:2318/94161. PMID 22235006. S2CID 24698634.
  5. ^ Uzel, Gulbu (2005). "The range of defects associated with nuclear factor kB essential modulator". Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 5 (6): 513–8. doi:10.1097/01.all.0000191241.66373.74. PMID 16264331. S2CID 84725460.