Schnitzler Syndrome With Extremely Elevated IL-6 Responds To Anti IL-1 Receptor Antagonist

Abstract

RATIONALE: The Runx1 transcription factor decreases GATA3 and IL-4 expression and Th2 skewing and promotes Th1/Th17/Tregulatory (Treg) cell development and function. We hypothesized that patients with germline RUNX1 deficiency would be predisposed to allergic and/or autoimmune disease. METHODS: Thirty-one patients (17 female; median age 42 years, range 2-74) with confirmed RUNX1 mutations were evaluated. Peripheral blood was obtained to evaluate hematologic variables, total and allergen specific IgE, and lymphocyte immune phenotypes. RESULTS: 29/31 patients had a positive allergic history; 21 had allergic rhinitis, 16 allergic conjunctivitis, and 20 mild-moderate eczema controlled with topical glucocorticoids and emollients. Seven patients had doctordiagnosed asthma with 1 patient receiving mepolizumab for eosinophilic asthma. Four reported oral allergy syndrome. Two patients had IgEmediated food allergy to flounder and egg, respectively, and two had biopsy-proven eosinophilic esophagitis. Five patients reported autoimmune disorders including mixed connective tissue disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Sjogren's syndrome, alopecia universalis and systemic Juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Median total IgE and eosinophil counts were within the normal range (73.35 IU/mL; range 16 -635 IU/mL and 215/mcL; range 0-1000/mcL, respectively). Median CD4 and CD8 T cells counts were within the normal range, although patients exhibited an increased frequency of memory CD4+ T cells, decreased CD4:CD8 ratios, and decreased Tregs in peripheral blood when compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with germline RUNX1 deficiency exhibit an increased prevalence of atopic and autoimmune disorders, demonstrating an important role for Runx1 in tolerance development in humans.