Long term outcome of eight patients with type 1 Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (LAD-1): Not only infections, but high risk of autoimmune complications

Abstract

Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency type 1 (LAD-1) is a rare primary immunodeficiency due to mutations in the gene encoding for the common β-chain of the β2 integrin family (CD18). Herein, we describe clinical manifestations and long-term complications of eight LAD-1 patients. Four LAD-1 patients were treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), while the remaining four, including two with moderate LAD-1 deficiency, received continuous antibiotic prophylaxis. Untreated patients presented numerous infections and autoimmune manifestations. In particular, two of them developed renal and intestinal autoimmune diseases, despite the expression of Beta-2 integrin was partially conserved. Other two LAD-1 patients developed type 1 diabetes and autoimmune cytopenia after HSCT, suggesting that HSCT is effective for preventing infections in LAD-1, but does not prevent the risk of the autoimmune complications.