Germline biallelic mutation affecting the transcription factor Helios causes pleiotropic defects of immunity

Abstract

Helios, a member of the Ikaros family of transcription factors, is predominantly expressed in developing thymocytes, activated T cells, and regulatory T cells (T_regs). Studies in mice have emphasized its role in maintenance of T_reg immunosuppressive functions by stabilizing Foxp3 expression and silencing the <i>Il2</i> locus. However, its contribution to human immune homeostasis and the precise mechanisms by which Helios regulates other T cell subsets remain unresolved. Here, we investigated a patient with recurrent respiratory infections and hypogammaglobulinemia and identified a germline homozygous missense mutation in <i>IKZF2</i> encoding Helios (p.Ile325Val). We found that Helios^I325V retains DNA binding and dimerization properties but loses interaction with several partners, including epigenetic remodelers. Whereas patient T_regs showed increased IL-2 production, patient conventional T cells had decreased accessibility of the <i>IL2</i> locus and consequently reduced IL-2 production. Reduced chromatin accessibility was not exclusive to the <i>IL2</i> locus but involved a variety of genes associated with T cell activation. Single-cell RNA sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells revealed gene expression signatures indicative of a shift toward a proinflammatory, effector-like status in patient CD8⁺ T cells. Moreover, patient CD4⁺ T cells exhibited a pronounced defect in proliferation with delayed expression of surface checkpoint inhibitors, suggesting an impaired onset of the T cell activation program. Collectively, we identified a previously uncharacterized, germline-encoded inborn error of immunity and uncovered a cell-specific defect in Helios-dependent epigenetic regulation. Binding of Helios with specific partners mediates this regulation, which is ultimately necessary for the transcriptional programs that enable T cell homeostasis in health and disease.