ζ-associated protein, 70 kd (ZAP70), deficiency in human subjects results in a combined immunodeficiency characterized by normal numbers of circulating CD4 T cells and CD8 lymphocytopenia. Patients who live beyond infancy can also experience autoimmune manifestations.

We sought to further characterize the nature of the T-cell populations found in ZAP70-deficient patients and explored the mechanisms that might predispose them to autoimmunity.

T-cell development was assessed by examining T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements and thymopoiesis by measuring TCR exclusion circle levels. TCR repertoire on CD4 and CD8 T-cell populations was assessed by means of flow cytometry. T-cell gene expression patterns were examined by means of exonic microarray analysis and apoptotic responses by means of Annexin V binding and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling.

Cells displaying recombination events from all stages of TCR gene rearrangement were present in the peripheral blood of ZAP70-deficient patients; however, the late TCRD-deleting rearrangement was significantly reduced. TCR exclusion circle levels were also found to be low. Surprisingly, all Vβ families were detected in both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ circulating T cells. Several Vβ families were significantly overrepresented, which is reminiscent of autoimmune disorders. Levels of mRNA for cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated antigen 4, TGF-β, and IL-10 were found to be low, a signature of autoimmunity. Finally, Fas-mediated CD4 T-cell apoptosis was found to be reduced in vitro, and staining of thymus biopsy specimens revealed reduced thymocyte apoptosis.

We show that in the absence of ZAP70, thymopoiesis is altered and differentiation to double-positive cells is hampered. Circulating T cells appear poorly regulated, do not differentiate into T_H2 T cells, lack a number of inhibitory growth controls, and display reduced apoptosis, all predisposing patients to exaggerated inflammation and autoimmunity.