PRF1 mutation alters immune system activation, inflammation, and risk of autoimmunity.
Sidore C., Orrù V., Cocco E., Steri M., Inshaw JR., Pitzalis M., Mulas A., McGurnaghan S., Frau J., Porcu E., Busonero F., Dei M., Lai S., Sole G., Virdis F., Serra V., Poddie F., Delitala A., Marongiu M., Deidda F., Pala M., Floris M., Masala M., Onengut-Gumuscu S., Robertson CC., Leoni L., Frongia A., Ricciardi MR., Chessa M., Olla N., Lovicu M., Loizedda A., Maschio A., Mereu L., Ferrigno P., Curreli N., Balaci L., Loi F., Ferreli LA., Pilia MG., Pani A., Marrosu MG., Abecasis GR., Rich SS., Colhoun H., Todd JA., Schlessinger D., Fiorillo E., Cucca F., Zoledziewska M.
BackgroundDefective alleles within the PRF1 gene, encoding the pore-forming protein perforin, in combination with environmental factors, cause familial type 2 hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL2), a rare, severe autosomal recessive childhood disorder characterized by massive release of cytokines-cytokine storm.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the function of hypomorph PRF1:p.A91V g.72360387 G > A on multiple sclerosis (MS) and type 1 diabetes (T1D).MethodsWe cross-compare the association data for PRF1:p.A91V mutation derived from GWAS on adult MS and pediatric T1D in Sardinians. The novel association with T1D was replicated in metanalysis in 12,584 cases and 17,692 controls from Sardinia, the United Kingdom, and Scotland. To dissect this mutation function, we searched through the coincident association immunophenotypes in additional set of general population Sardinians.ResultsWe report that PRF1:p.A91V, is associated with increase of lymphocyte levels, especially within the cytotoxic memory T-cells, at general population level with reduced interleukin 7 receptor expression on these cells. The minor allele increased risk of MS, in 2903 cases and 2880 controls from Sardinia p = 2.06 × 10-4, odds ratio OR = 1.29, replicating a previous finding, whereas it protects from T1D p = 1.04 × 10-5, OR = 0.82.ConclusionOur results indicate opposing contributions of the cytotoxic T-cell compartment to MS and T1D pathogenesis.