TNFRSF13B/TACI Mutations in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP) remains still inconclusive. Recent studies identified an increased expression of BAFF (a B cell-activating factor) and its receptor TACI (Transmembrane Activator and cAML Interactor) in nasal polyp samples, while TNFRSF13B/TACI mutations have been found in patients with benign lymphoproliferative disorders and primary antibody deficiencies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the possible contribution of TNFRSF13B/TACI mutations in CRSwNP pathogenesis. METHODS: Forty-four (44) patients with CRSwNP (male/female: 33/11, mean age: 52.5 years, range: 16-83) were analyzed for TNFRSF13B/TACI mutations by PCR-sequencing. RESULTS: No pathogenic TNFRSF13B/TACI mutations were identified in our cohort study of CRSwNP patients. We detected two common missense mutations (p.P251L and p.V220A), along with other common silent mutations and intronic polymorphisms in an identical prevalence to healthy control population. CONCLUSION: TNFRSF13B/TACI mutations might not play a role in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP.

Genetic Determinants of C1 Inhibitor Deficiency Angioedema Age of Onset.

BACKGROUND: In view of the large heterogeneity in the clinical presentation of hereditary angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE), great efforts are being made towards detecting measurable biological determinants of disease severity that can help to improve the management of the disease. Considering the central role that plasma kallikrein plays in bradykinin production, we investigated the contribution of the functional polymorphism KLKB1-428G/A to the disease phenotype. METHODS: We studied 249 C1-INH-HAE patients from 114 European families, and we explored possible associations of C1-INH-HAE clinical features with carriage of KLKB1-428G/A, combined or not with that of the functional F12-46C/T polymorphism. RESULTS: Carriers of the G allele of the KLKB1-428G/A polymorphism exhibited a significantly delayed disease onset (i.e., by 4.1 years [p < 0.001], depending on the zygocity status), while carriers of both the KLKB1-428G/A and the F12-46C/T polymorphism displayed an 8.8-year delay in disease onset (p < 0.001) and a 64% lower probability of needing long-term prophylactic treatment (p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: These findings support our initial hypothesis that functional alterations in genes of proteins involved in bradykinin metabolism and function affect the clinical phenotype and possibly contribute to the pathogenesis of C1-INH-HAE. Given that an earlier onset of symptoms is inversely correlated with the subsequent course of the disease and, eventually, the need for long-term prophylaxis, these polymorphisms may be helpful prognostic biomarkers of disease severity.

Hereditary angioedema in Greece: the first results of the greek hereditary angioedema registry.

BACKGROUND: No published data presently exist concerning hereditary angioedema (HAE) in Greece. The aim of this study was to present the results from patients recorded by the Greek Hereditary Angioedema Registry over the last 3 years (July 2010 to June 2013). METHODS: A systematic recording of HAE cases was undertaken following a physician awareness campaign and confirmation of diagnosis. A questionnaire was also used for the assessment of key parameters of the patients' disease-specific quality of life. RESULTS: One hundred and sixteen patients from 41 non-related families were recorded. There were 33 (80.5%) families with type I HAE, 7 (17%) with type II HAE and 1 (2.5%) with non-C1 inhibitor (C1-INH), non-FXII HAE. Two further non-C1-INH, non-FXII HAE sporadic cases were recorded. An investigation of non-symptomatic family members revealed another 6 asymptomatic individuals with C1-INH deficiency. The average delay in diagnosis was 16.5 years and the incidence of death in the families of patients was 1 for every 2 families. The use of newer therapeutic agents seems to fall significantly short of the existing needs. HAE was found to affect the quality of life slightly in 14%, greatly in 63% and significantly in 23% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Until recently, there has been a significant degree of underdiagnosis of HAE in Greece. Very low compliance with the provisions of the applicable international guidelines and consensus positions, with adverse consequences on the patients' quality of life, was also observed. The centralized model we used to uncover the patients could be effective in other countries presenting with comparable disease characteristics.