Abstract
Mutation in the gene encoding tRNA nucleotidyl transferase, CCA-adding 1 (TRNT1), an enzyme essential for the synthesis of the 3′-terminal CCA sequence in tRNA molecules, results in a disorder that features sideroblastic anemia, B-cell immunodeficiency, periodic fever, and developmental delay. Mutations in TRNT1 are also linked to phenotypes including retinitis pigmentosa, cataracts, and cardiomyopathy. To date, it has remained unclear how defective TRNT1 is linked to B-cell deficiency. Here we report the case of a 12-year-old boy without sideroblastic anemia who harbors novel compound heterozygous mutations in TRNT1. Immunophenotypic analysis revealed severely decreased levels of B cells and follicular helper T cells. In the bone marrow, B-cell maturation stopped at the CD19+CD10+CD20+/− pre-B-cell stage. Severe combined immunodeficiency mice transplanted with bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells from the patient showed largely normal B-cell engraftment and differentiation in the bone marrow and periphery at 24 weeks post-transplantation, comparable to those in mouse transplanted with healthy hematopoietic stem cells. Biochemical analysis revealed augmented endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response in activated T cells. Peripheral B-cell deficiency of TRNT1 deficiency may be associated with augmented ER stress in immature B cells in the bone marrow.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Noriko Mitsuiki, Takehiro Takashima, Tzu-Wen Yeh, Tsubasa Okano, and Osamu Ohara for technical assistance. This work was in part supported by grants from Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, JSPS KAKENHI Grant number 26293244 (T. M.)
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EK performed the immunological experiments and wrote the manuscript. KT and SO performed the genetic analysis. KI provided critical discussion. YA-N and FI performed the mouse experiments. AI provided clinical information and the samples. HK revised the manuscript. TM designed the study and revised the manuscript.
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Kumaki, E., Tanaka, K., Imai, K. et al. Atypical SIFD with novel TRNT1 mutations: a case study on the pathogenesis of B-cell deficiency. Int J Hematol 109, 382–389 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-019-02614-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-019-02614-0