bims-actimu Biomed News
on Actinopathies in inborn errors of immunity
Issue of 2026–02–01
three papers selected by
Elodie Busch, University of Strasbourg



  1. J Hum Immun. 2025 May 05. 1(1): e20250003
      This report provides an updated classification of inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) involving 508 different genes and 17 phenocopies. Of these, we report 67 novel monogenic defects and 2 phenocopies due to neutralizing anti-cytokine autoantibodies or somatic mutations, which either have been discovered since the previous update (published June 2022) or were reported earlier but have been recently confirmed and/or expanded. The new additions were made after rigorous review of new genetic descriptions of IEIs by the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) Expert Committee using criteria established to define IEI. Although similar pathogenic variants in one gene, in terms of both classes of mutation (missense, nonsense, etc.) and impact on protein function, can result in a spectrum of phenotypic manifestations, they are herein classified according to the most consistently reported phenotype. In addition, because different variants in a single gene can result in recognizable diseases due to gain or loss of function, such cases are classified according to their clinical manifestations as a distinct entry in the same or a different table depending on the associated phenotype. This report will serve as a valuable resource for clinical immunologists and geneticists involved in the molecular diagnosis of individuals with heritable and acquired immunological disorders. Moreover, we expect this report to also serve as a valuable resource for all disciplines of medicine, since patients with IEIs may be first seen by rheumatologists, hematologists, allergists, dermatologists, neurologists, gastroenterologists, and pulmonologists, depending upon their spectrum of presenting clinical features. Finally, expanding the known monogenic and related causes of human immune diseases requires dissection of underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms, which reveals fundamental requirements for specific genes, pathways, processes, and even cell types. Such knowledge may not only contribute to improved patient diagnosis and management but also pave the way to the development and implementation of therapies that target the cause-rather than the symptoms-of these conditions.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.70962/jhi.20250003
  2. J Hum Immun. 2025 May 05. 1(1): e20250002
      Here, we report the 2024 update of the phenotypic classification by the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) expert committee (EC) on inborn errors of immunity (IEI), which accompanies and complements the 2024 genotypic classification. The aim of this classification is to help diagnosis for clinicians at the bedside and focuses on clinical features and basic laboratory phenotypes of specific IEI. In this update, 559 IEI are described, including 67 novel monogenic defects and 2 new phenocopies. This phenotypic classification is presented in the form of decision trees when possible, with essential clinical or immunological phenotype entries.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.70962/jhi.20250002
  3. J Exp Med. 2026 Mar 02. pii: e20241707. [Epub ahead of print]223(3):
      Patients with loss-of-function DOCK8 or dominant-negative STAT3 variants have hyper-IgE syndrome, although only DOCK8 deficiency consistently presents with elevated food-specific IgE and symptomatic allergy. We previously found in mice that DOCK8 restricts the differentiation of IL-13+ T follicular helper (Tfh13) cells that drive anaphylactic IgE, although the mechanisms were unclear. Here, we show that DOCK8 promotes STAT3 activity, which inhibits GATA3 in T cells. However, only patients with DOCK8, but not STAT3, deficiency had elevated Tfh13 cells. Cell-specific deletion of either Dock8 (T-Dock8-/-) or Stat3 (T-Stat3-/-) augmented peanut-specific IgE and Tfh13s when oral sensitization was promoted by adjuvants. However, the phenotypes diverged during adjuvant-free oral peanut exposure: only T-Dock8-/- mice developed Tfh13 cells and peanut-specific IgE, accompanied by reduced Foxp3+ Tregs. Treg depletion in T-Stat3-/- mice unmasked Tfh13 induction to oral antigen alone. Thus, DOCK8 and STAT3 cooperate to restrain Tfh13 differentiation to food allergens, and additional Treg impairment in DOCK8 deficiency allows for Tfh13 cell induction and allergy.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20241707