DPP9 deficit linked to immune disorders in children

Published in the journal Science Immunology, the researchers studied four children with very low levels of DPP9, all with various immune disorders. The researchers believe that a deficit in DPP9 can be responsible for over-activating the body’s innate immune response, leading to disorder development.

Professor Mark Gorrell, Head of the Liver Enzymes in Metabolism and Inflammation Program at the Centenary Institute and collaborating author on the published research paper said that the discovery and understanding of gene variants that cause poor health in babies and children is accelerating.

“Our recent publication shows that children with genetically ultra-low production of the DPP9 enzyme suffer multiple health problems including chronic inflammation, lung infections and stunted growth,” said Professor Gorrell.

“This paper provides the first knowledge about how genetic deficits in DPP9 could be rectified using currently available therapies that regulate the immune system,” he said.

Implicated in disease development, inflammation and the broader immune system, the DPP9 enzyme was first discovered by Professor Gorrell and his group at the Centenary Institute in 1999 and is a major focus of his research.

Publication: DPP9 deficiency: An inflammasomopathy that can be rescued by lowering NLRP1/IL-1 signaling