X-linked CD40LG encodes CD40L (CD154), a transmembrane protein transiently expressed primarily on activated CD4+ T cells. By binding CD40 on B cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs), CD40L delivers a co-stimulatory signal that enhances antigen presentation, T cell priming, and activation, as well as class-switch recombination (CSR) in B cells. Inherited deficiency of CD40L in males leads to X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome (XHIGM), a combined immunodeficiency (CID) marked by CSR defects, recurrent infections, and significant morbidity and mortality. However, CD40LG copy number gains (CNGs) are much less recognized: only two male patients with either duplications or triplications have been previously described. Here, we expand the clinical and immunological understanding of this entity by presenting a case series of five male patients, including the two previously reported. We describe the clinical progression, immunological characteristics, and treatment responses of five patients with CD40LG CNGs, comprising three duplications and two triplications. The clinical phenotypes ranged from recurrent infections to early-onset, treatment-refractory autoimmunity. Thus, X-linked CD40LG CNG represents a variable spectrum of immunological phenotypes, including recurrent infections and autoimmunity, underscoring the importance of considering these genetic alterations in patients with immune dysregulation.
Meeting Abstract|
CIS Meeting Abstracts 2025|
April 25 2025
Immunodeficiency and Autoimmunity as a Result of CD40LG Copy Number Gains
Rui Yang,
Rui Yang
1Fellow in Allergy Immunology/Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital
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Neil Romberg,
Neil Romberg
2Associate Professor/The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
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Xiao Peng,
Xiao Peng
3Assistant Professor/Clinical Molecular Genetics and Genomics, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY
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Ivan Chinn
Ivan Chinn
4Associate Professor/Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital
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Rui Yang
1Fellow in Allergy Immunology/Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital
Neil Romberg
2Associate Professor/The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Xiao Peng
3Assistant Professor/Clinical Molecular Genetics and Genomics, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY
Ivan Chinn
4Associate Professor/Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital
© 2025 Yang et al.
2025
Yang et al.
This abstract is available under a Creative Commons License (Attribution 4.0 International, as described at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
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J Hum Immun (2025) 1 (CIS2025): CIS2025abstract.182.
Citation
Rui Yang, Neil Romberg, Xiao Peng, Ivan Chinn; Immunodeficiency and Autoimmunity as a Result of CD40LG Copy Number Gains. J Hum Immun 25 April 2025; 1 (CIS2025): CIS2025abstract.182. doi: https://doi.org/10.70962/CIS2025abstract.182
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