Mucocutaneous candidiasis: the IL-17 pathway and implications for targeted immunotherapy

AIRE deficiency

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy syndrome-I (APS-I), also known as autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED), is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene. Mutations in AIRE lead to aberrant thymic self-tolerance mechanisms and loss of thymic deletion of autoreactive T cells. The classic triad of this disease is CMC, typically presenting by age 6, hypoparathyroidism and adrenocortical failure [27, 28]. The prevalence of the disease varies worldwide, but is highest in Iranian Jews (about 1:9,000), Sardinians (1:14,000), and Finnish populations (1:25,000), with men and women equally affected (reviewed in [25]). A wide-range of disease manifestations has been described, including, in descending order of prevalence, dental enamel dysplasia, nail dystrophy, alopecia, ovarian failure, vitiligo, diabetes mellitus, testicular failure and hypothyroidism. CMC is nearly universal in APS-I patients [27, 29], but they are not prone to other infections. The lone infectious susceptibility associated with this disease was initially mysterious, but now is tied to neutralizing autoantibodies against cytokines detected in these patients [30]. The most common anti-cytokine autoantibodies are directed against the type I interferons (IFNs) and Th17-related cytokines, notably IFN-ω (100% of patients), IFN-α (95%), IL-22 (91%), IL-17F (75%), and IL-17A (41%) [27]. Similar high prevalence of antibodies against IL-17A, IL-17F and IL-22 has been found in APS-1 in other studies [31]. Plasma from patients with autoantibodies against IL-17 abolishes IL-17 responsiveness (measured by IL-6 production) in fibroblasts, confirming that these antibodies interfere with IL-17 activity [31].

Although APS-1 is not the only human disease resulting from abnormal autoantibodies, it is the only such disease associated strongly with CMC. This is most likely due to the unique spectrum of anti-cytokine autoantibodies produced as a result of AIRE deficiency. For example, a different pattern of anti-cytokine autoantibodies is found in patients with thymoma. Thymoma patients have a high prevalence of antibodies to IFN-ω, IFNα and IL-12, but a low prevalence of antibodies to IL-22, IL-17F or IL-17A [27]. CMC is an unusual manifestation of thymoma, but its occurrence correlates with the presence of autoantibodies against both IL-17A and IL-22 [30], further supporting the concept that neutralizing Th17-specific cytokines increases susceptibility to candidiasis. Thus, the pathogenesis of APECED with respect to CMC seems to be tightly linked to neutralizing Th17 cytokines, suggesting that IL-17 neutralization applied in other settings increases the risk for CMC.

IL-17 receptor mutations

The most direct evidence for a role in the IL-17 pathway in host resistance to CMC comes from a recent report of a case of homozygous mutation in the IL-17A receptor (IL17RA). The mutation was found in a French child of Moroccan descent with autosomal recessive CMC [32]. The child presented with Candida dermatitis starting in the neonatal period and Staphylococcus aureus dermatitis at 5 months of age. Sequencing of multiple genes related to IL-22 or IL-17 signaling (IL22, IL22RA1, IL10RB, IL17A, IL17F, IL17RA, IL17RC) revealed a homozygous nonsense mutation in the IL17RA gene (c.850C>T/c.850C>T), which results in a premature stop codon in the extracellular domain of the receptor. The child's parents and siblings were heterozygous for the allele and asymptomatic. A database of healthy controls from 52 ethnic groups, as well as French and Moroccan controls, failed to reveal any other cases of this mutation. The patient's blood and tissue were studied in more detail, which revealed a lack of IL-17RA protein on the surface of fibroblasts and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. IL-17RC, IL-22RA1, IL-17A and IL-22 expression levels were normal. The patient's fibroblasts did not respond to IL-17A or IL-17F in terms of producing prototypical IL-17 target proteins such as IL-6 or growth-regulated oncogene-α (GROα, also known as CXCL1 or KC in mice). Importantly, normal function was restored upon transfection of fibroblasts with wild-type IL17RA, verifying that this manifestation was not from another undetected mutation. The phenotype of homozygous IL17RA mutation in humans is consistent with findings that IL-17RA- and IL-17RC-deficient mice are more susceptible to oropharyngeal candidiasis, and suggests that data from mouse models are a good predictor of human susceptibility to candidiasis [16, 17].

IL-17A deficiency

A kindred with autosomal dominant CMC who lack the IL-17 family member IL-17A and Th17 cells has been described [28]. The exact defect is unknown but it appears to be posttranscriptional since IL-17 mRNA levels were preserved [28]. Additional patients with CMC have been described with decreased production of IL-17A and IL-22 of unknown underlying etiology [33]. The emerging evidence of a role for IL-17A in human susceptibility to Candida is supported by work in mice. For example, IL-17A-deficient mice have impaired clearance of C. albicans infection from the skin [19].

The role of IL-22 is less clear, as IL22-/- mice are not susceptible to either dermal or oral candidiasis [17, 19]. In a gastric model of candidiasis in mice, IL-22 does appear to be protective [34], perhaps due to its well known role in promoting epithelial repair in the mucosa [35]. More work is needed to determine its precise contribution to antifungal immunity.

IL17F mutation

A form of autosomal dominant CMC with incomplete penetrance results from mutation in the IL-17 family member IL17F [32]. This mutation was first described in four members of a family from Argentina with autosomal dominant inheritance of CMC. A thorough analysis of genes related to IL-17 signaling revealed a heterozygous missense mutation in the IL17F gene of the index case. The mutation (c.284C>T) resulted in the replacement of a conserved serine with leucine. This mutation was not found in the control patient database. Based on computational analysis, the missense mutation is predicted to interfere with cytokine to receptor binding. All tested members of the kindred with CMC were heterozygous for this mutation. Two apparently healthy family members also had the allele, suggesting incomplete penetrance. By flow cytometry, IL-17F-expressing T cells were absent in affected family members. In vitro studies of the mutant protein revealed defective binding to IL-17RA on fibroblasts, with weaker IL-6 and GRO-α induction. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells also had impaired induction of cytokines when stimulated with the mutant protein.

This finding was somewhat surprising, as IL-17F is not a strong agonist of the IL-17 receptor compared to IL-17A, and IL17F-/- mice were not highly susceptible to disseminated candidiasis [36]. However, IL-17A and IL-17F form both homodimers and heterodimers [37], and the mutant IL-17F identified in this patient cohort blocks signaling from the IL-17A:F form of the cytokine [32]. Thus, blockade of either IL-17A or IL-17F may predispose to mucosal candidiasis.

Hyper-IgE syndrome

The hyper-IgE syndromes (HIESs, Job's syndrome) comprise a group of primary immunodeficiencies characterized by elevated serum IgE, dermatitis and recurrent infections primarily of the skin and lungs. The infectious predilections in autosomal-dominant HIES include CMC and bacterial infections with S. aureus, Streptococcus pneumonaie and Haemophilus influenzae. Most cases of HIES are sporadic, resulting from a dominant negative mutation in the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) [38, 39]. The mutations are primarily in the DNA-binding domain or Src homology 2 (SH2) domain of STAT3 and lead to the impaired generation of Th17 cells [40]. Since STAT3 is downstream of IL-22, cellular responses to this Th17-derived cytokine are also impaired. In fact, IL-17 production by T cells is absent in cells from HIES individuals after stimulation with Staphylococcus enterotoxin B or C. albicans [41]. The mutations in STAT3 result in decreased expression of regulator retinoid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt), a transcription factor required for IL-17 expression, and decreased differentiation into Th17 cells by naïve CD4+ T cells [42]. The specific infectious susceptibility of HIES patients to skin and pulmonary infections appears do be due to a site-specific requirement of Th17 cytokines to produce antimicrobial factors, found both in skin and salivary gland tissue [43, 44].

Autosomal recessive HIES is a related, but distinct disorder. Most patients affected by this disease are deficient in dedicator of cytokinesis 8 (DOCK8), leading to impaired T-cell activation and maintenance of memory. As in autosomal-dominant HIES, these patients have elevated IgE levels, eczema, recurrent bacterial infections and CMC [45, 46]. The unique disease manifestations include susceptibility to recurrent viral infections (most commonly herpes viruses, molluscum contagiosum virus and human papillomaviruses), asthma, severe food allergies, malignancy at young age and unusual auto-immune diseases. Some DOCK8-deficient patients have decreased numbers of Th17 cells (reviewed in [47]). One additional case of autosomal recessive HIES associated with a tyrosine kinase 2 (Tyk2) deficiency has been described [48]; however, a case of Tyk2 deficiency resulting in a phenotype without eczema, candidiasis or hyper-IgE has also been reported [49]. Tyk2 is a member of the Janus kinase (JAK) family that signals downstream of IL-23 and hence is needed for efficient Th17 maintenance in vivo. Accordingly, HIES can be caused by various genetic lesions, but the common thread appears to be regulation of the IL-17/Th17 pathway.

STAT1mutation

Using a genome-wide approach based on whole-exome sequencing, gain-of-function STAT1 mutations were recently associated with isolated CMC [50]. Twelve missense mutations were found in 47 patients from 20 kindreds of CMC without other clinical features. These mutations were in the coiled-coil domain of STAT1, in a pocket near residues essential for STAT1 dephosphorylation. Mutations at this site result in gain-of-function STAT1 phosphorylation leading to enhanced transcription of STAT-1-dependent genes in response to various cytokines. The STAT1 mutant products enhance cellular response to cytokines IFNα/β, IFNγ and IL-27, which are all known inhibitors of the Th17 pathway. These patients had disease involving a range of cutaneous and mucosal sites, including nails, oral cavity, oropharynx, genital mucosa, skin and esophagus. Some patients had thyroid autoimmunity (8 of 47) and one had systemic lupus erythematosus. Squamous cell carcinoma was the cause of death in four patients, and cerebral aneurysm in two.

STAT1 mutations were also demonstrated in 14 auto-somal dominant cases of CMC from five families [51]. In addition to CMC, members of one family suffered from various autoimmune diseases (autoimmune hepatitis, autoimmune hemolysis, pernicious anemia and antiphos-pholipid antibodies) as well as symptomatic cytomegalo-virus infection and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Three families suffered from hypothyroidism while the fifth family did not have associated autoimmune disease. Three families had histories of oral squamous-cell carcinoma or esophageal cancer. Analysis revealed heterozygous mutations in STAT1 in only the affected family members. These mutations were located in the coiled-coil domain of STAT1, and led to defective Th1 and Th17 responses with reduced production of INF-γ, IL-17 and IL-22 in response to Candida stimulation [50]. Therefore, STAT1 gain-of-function mutations result in CMC through a similar final pathway as other IL-17 signaling defects.

IL-12Rβ1 or IL-12p40 deficiency

Patients with inborn errors of the IL-12/IL-23 or IFNγ signaling axis, also known as Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial diseases (MSMD), are susceptible to mycobacteria. Infectious susceptibility includes weakly virulent species of mycobacteria such as the bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine and severe disease caused by Salmonella serotypes [52]. A recent review of 132 patients with the most common form of this disease, IL-12Rβ1 deficiency, found that 24% have mucocutaneous disease caused by Candida albicans, usually manifesting as recurrent oral thrush [53]. The two mutated genes associated with MSMD are IL12B and IL12RB1. Patients with IL12B null mutations lack the IL-12p40 subunit, a shared component of both IL-12 and IL-23 [54]. Similarly, the IL12RB1 gene encodes the shared chain of the IL-12 and IL-23 receptors (Figure 1). The susceptibility to mycobacterial disease is almost certainly rooted in the deficiency in IL-12 signaling and Th1 cells, which are central to clearance of intracellular pathogens. In contrast, defective IL-23 signaling impairs the expansion and maintenance of Th17 cells and IL-17 signaling. Patients with mutations in IL12RB1 and IL12B have low proportions of IL-17A-producing T cells in circulation, which likely explains the susceptibility to CMC [40].

Dectin-1 defects

Dectin-1 is a fungal pattern recognition receptor (PRR) that recognizes β-glucans, carbohydrates located in the cell wall of the yeast form of Candida (Figure 1). C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) such as Dectin-1 are emerging as important mediators of innate anti-fungal immunity, although there are still many unanswered questions about their specific roles in vivo [55]. Studies of Dectin-1 knockout mice revealed increased susceptibility to gastrointestinal colonization with C. albicans and varying susceptibility to disseminated candidiasis, depending on the strain of Candida used (reviewed in [56]). In humans, the Dectin-1 polymorphism Y238X leads to a premature stop codon and increased susceptibility to CMC in three described homozygous patients [57]. CMC in these patients was characterized by vulvovaginal candidiasis or onychomycosis with Trichophyton rubrum. Monocytes and macrophages in these patients had lower fungal-sensing capacity, with decreased production of IL-6 after stimulation with β-glucan, heat-killed C. albicans or live C. albicans. Consequently, impaired Th17 generation resulted in reduced IL-17 production. Compared to other genetic lesions that promote CMC, however, disease was mild in these patients, suggesting that their susceptibility may be multifactorial. Furthermore, while family members heterozygous for the polymorphism exhibited an intermediate reduction in proinflammatory cytokines, there was only mild transient candidal disease in one person. Follow-up studies revealed that this polymorphism was found on a population-wide search in individuals from Europe and Africa and is associated with increased Candida colonization in immunosuppressed hemato-poietic stem cell transplant recipients [57, 58]. Therefore, Dectin-1 appears to contribute to immune recognition of Candida and presents a link between pathogen sensing and IL-17 production.

CARD9 defects

Caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (CARD9) is a signal transducer downstream of many fungal PRRs, including most of the CLRs. Mice deficient in CARD9 exhibit severely reduced TNF-α and IL-2 production in response to zymosan, a yeast cell wall component principally composed of β-glucans, but not other PRR ligands [59]. As discussed above, the primary receptor for β-glucans is Dectin-1, a CLR that transduces signals via spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) activation and PKCδ, ultimately activating the NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways [60–62]. CARD9-deficient mice have an impaired immune response to systemic challenge with C. albicans, with accelerated mortality and higher organ fungal burdens compared to heterozygous littermates [59]. CARD9 defects in humans were first reported in a large consanguineous Iranian family with CMC and peripheral dermatophytosis [63]. CARD9 deficiency results from a homozygous point mutation, Q295X, on chromosome 9q leading to a premature stop codon and loss-of-function. The mutation was not found in healthy family members or 230 healthy unrelated controls. Patients with this defect have low proportions of IL-17A-producing T cells and an almost complete defect in the generation of a Th17 response. The phenotype in CARD9-deficient patients is distinct from that of other genetic causes of CMC in that it also includes susceptibility to invasive candidiasis. Three of eight affected family members died of central nervous system candidiasis. The fact that the phenotype seems to be so severe compared to the Dectin-1-deficient cohort suggests that other CARD9-utilizing CLRs, such as Dectin-2 and/or Mincle, are equally or more important for anti-Candida immunity.