Pyogenic bacterial infections in humans with MyD88 deficiency

Science. 2008 Aug 1;321(5889):691-6. doi: 10.1126/science.1158298.

Abstract

MyD88 is a key downstream adapter for most Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and interleukin-1 receptors (IL-1Rs). MyD88 deficiency in mice leads to susceptibility to a broad range of pathogens in experimental settings of infection. We describe a distinct situation in a natural setting of human infection. Nine children with autosomal recessive MyD88 deficiency suffered from life-threatening, often recurrent pyogenic bacterial infections, including invasive pneumococcal disease. However, these patients were otherwise healthy, with normal resistance to other microbes. Their clinical status improved with age, but not due to any cellular leakiness in MyD88 deficiency. The MyD88-dependent TLRs and IL-1Rs are therefore essential for protective immunity to a small number of pyogenic bacteria, but redundant for host defense to most natural infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Bacterial Infections / genetics*
  • Bacterial Infections / immunology*
  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Female
  • Gene Deletion
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mutation, Missense
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / deficiency*
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / genetics
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / metabolism
  • Pneumococcal Infections / genetics
  • Pneumococcal Infections / immunology
  • Pseudomonas Infections / genetics
  • Pseudomonas Infections / immunology
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1 / immunology
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1 / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Staphylococcal Infections / genetics
  • Staphylococcal Infections / immunology
  • Toll-Like Receptors / immunology
  • Toll-Like Receptors / metabolism
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • MYD88 protein, human
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1
  • Toll-Like Receptors

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE12124