Journal-Based CME: Helper T 1 Cell Immunity in Humans with Inherited CD4 Deficiency

Monday, April 1, 2024, 11:00 AM - Thursday, April 1, 2027, 11:00 PM

This Journal-Based CME activity consists of a full-text article that is free to read, a multiple-choice question test, and an evaluation/self-assessment. Learners are tested on their comprehension of the key concepts, with the objective of enriching their clinical practice and patient care through better understanding of scientific advances and new techniques in the fields covered by Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM). 

Questions for this complimentary, online-only activity have been designed by JEM editors in collaboration with the article authors. Each CME activity should take approximately 1 hour to complete.

The article selected for this activity is "Helper T 1 cell immunity in humans with inherited CD4 deficiency,” by Antoine Guérin and Stuart G. Tangye Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Darlinghurst, Australia.

Article Abstract

CD4+ T cells are vital for host defense and immune regulation. However, the fundamental role of CD4 itself remains enigmatic. We report seven patients aged 5-61 years from five families of four ancestries with autosomal recessive CD4 deficiency and a broad range of mild infections. All patients are homozygous for rare deleterious CD4 variants impacting expression of the canonical CD4 isoform. A shorter expressed isoform that interacts with LCK, but not HLA class II is affected by only one variant. All patients lack CD4+ T cells and have increased numbers of TCRaß+CD4-CD8- T cells which phenotypically and transcriptionally resemble conventional Th cells. Finally, patient CD4-CD8- aß T cells exhibit intact responses to HLA class II-restricted antigens and promote B cell differentiation in vitro. Thus, compensatory development of Th cells enables patients with inherited CD4 deficiency to acquire effective cellular and humoral immunity against an unexpectedly large range of pathogens. Nevertheless, CD4 is indispensable for protective immunity against HPVs and Trophyrema whipplei.

About Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM) and CME Activities

JEM publishes peer-reviewed papers within the field of medical biology, providing novel conceptual insights into immunology, cancer biology, neuroscience, inflammation, vascular biology, microbial pathogenesis, and stem cell biology. These studies range from original findings on all aspects of disease pathogenesis to novel therapeutic approaches. Articles designated for Journal-Based CME have been selected by JEM editors for their clinical relevance and ability to address practice-based gaps.

Select the 'Course Content' tab at the top of this page in order to access the full article and claim CME credit.

 

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM) and Rockefeller University Press. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA Credit Designation Statement

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Recorded/Review Date: April 1, 2024 | Original Release Date: April 1, 2024 | Termination Date: April 1, 2027

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.