DeCure for Severe combined immunodeficiency due to DCLRE1C deficiency
DeCure's autonomous Immuno AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for severe combined immunodeficiency due to DCLRE1C deficiency — screening already-approved drugs against its 2-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleSevere combined immunodeficiency due to DCLRE1C deficiency maps to a 2-gene Open Targets module — the target space DeCure's AI scientist screens approved drugs against.
DeCure.ai methodSignature reversal (LINCS) plus network proximity (STRING) rank already-approved drugs likely to perturb this module — the same engine that produces DeCure.ai's repurposing hypotheses.
Repurposing thesisScreening approved medicines against this disease module, then publishing the evidence for the strongest candidate. Known pharmacology and human exposure data make the first question sharper — they do not establish safety or efficacy in a new indication.
Research record
01
ResearchComing soon
Candidate research + dossier — target rationale, drug-repurposing thesis and evidence pack.proof: Published dossier + on-chain hash
02
ValidationComing soon
In-vitro biological validation at a contract research org (CRO).proof: CRO contract + in-vitro report
03
Peer review & paperComing soon
Peer-reviewed paper published open-access (preprint + journal).proof: DOI + open-access link + on-chain hash
Current lead
No approved-drug candidate for severe combined immunodeficiency due to dclre1c deficiency is corroborated in the literature DeepSearch retrieved. Some conditions are managed with non-pharmacological care — a device, surgery or physical therapy — rather than a medicine; that may be the case here, or the literature we found may simply be too sparse yet to support a drug-repurposing angle.
Molecular view
DNA ligase 4 (LIG4) — LIG4 is one of the genes genetically linked to this disease in Open Targets — shown as context, not as a drug target we're pursuing: no approved-drug candidate for this disease is yet corroborated in the literature we found.
Loading structure…
helix sheet rdrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 9CQ3 · 2.8 Å · ligand 2'-deoxy-5'-O-[(R)-hydroxy{[(R)-hydroxy(phosphonooxy)phosphoryl]amino}phosphoryl]adenosine (DZ4). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
Mutations in DCLRE1C, which encodes the ARTEMIS nuclease, cause a spectrum of immunodeficiency. Null mutations produce a radiosensitive B‑negative/low T‑negative/low severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) or Omenn syndrome. In a 2009 study of 29 newly diagnosed patients with B‑negative/low SCID, 59% of the mutated alleles were gross deletions of exons 1–3 or exons 1–4, caused by homologous recombination between the wild‑type gene and a pseudo‑DCLRE1C gene located 61.2 kb upstream. These deletions also remove MEIG1, a gene essential for spermatogenesis in mice. Functional tests on patient fibroblasts confirmed that the corresponding alleles are null mutations.
Hypomorphic DCLRE1C mutations can produce a much milder phenotype. A 2015 study of a consanguineous family identified three children with recurrent respiratory infections, very low B‑cell numbers, and low serum IgA, but no early‑onset SCID. They had decreased colony survival after irradiation, impaired proliferative responses, reduced naïve T‑cell counts, a restricted T‑cell receptor repertoire, increased palindromic nucleotides in CDR3 regions, and long microhomology stretches at switch junctions. Defective V(D)J recombination was corrected by wild‑type ARTEMIS in vitro. Nine additional patients from the same geographic region carried homozygous or compound heterozygous DCLRE1C mutations. The authors concluded that DCLRE1C mutations can present as isolated antibody deficiency.
A 2024 Iranian national cohort identified 9 patients with confirmed DCLRE1C mutations among 5373 registered immunodeficiency patients (33.3% female, 77.8% born to consanguineous parents). Median age of symptom onset was 6.0 months (IQR 5.0–17.0), and SCID was diagnosed at a median 7.0 months (IQR 6.0–20.5), with a median diagnostic delay of 2.0 months (IQR 1.0–3.5). First presentations were pneumonia (44.4%), BCG lymphadenitis (22.2%), gastroenteritis (11.1%), and otitis media (3.33%). Over the full course, respiratory tract infections and chronic diarrhoea each occurred in 66.6% of patients. Two patients had autoimmune disorders: one with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, one with coeliac disease and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. All patients had reduced CD19+ B‑cell and CD4+ T‑cell counts; IgA deficiency was present in 77.8%.
No drug treatment is described in any of these abstracts. The only established management is haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which is not discussed here. What remains missing is any prospective trial of a pharmacological agent, any data on gene therapy, and any systematic stratification of patients by residual ARTEMIS function that might identify who could benefit from a milder intervention. Funding for such trials and for newborn screening to reduce diagnostic delay is also absent.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Human Molecular Genetics · 2015 · 97 citations · open access
<i>DCLRE1C</i>(ARTEMIS) mutations causing phenotypes ranging from atypical severe combined immunodeficiency to mere antibody deficiency
AbstractNull mutations in genes involved in V(D)J recombination cause a block in B- and T-cell development, clinically presenting as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Hypomorphic mutations in the non-homologous end-joining gene DCLRE1C (encoding ARTEMIS) have been described to cause atypical SCID, Omenn syndrome, Hyper IgM syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease-all with severely impaired T-cell immunity. By whole-exome sequencing, we investigated the molecular defect in a consanguineous family with three children clinically diagnosed with antibody deficiency. We identified perfectly segregating homozygous variants in DCLRE1C in three index patients with recurrent respiratory tract infections, very low B-cell numbers and serum IgA levels. In patients, decreased colony survival after irradiation, impaired proliferative response and reduced counts of naïve T cells were observed in addition to a restricted T-cell receptor repertoire, increased palindromic nucleotides in the complementarity determining regions 3 and long stretches of microhomology at switch junctions. Defective V(D)J recombination was complemented by wild-type ARTEMIS protein in vitro. Subsequently, homozygous or compound heterozygous DCLRE1C mutations were identified in nine patients from the same geographic region. We demonstrate that DCLRE1C mutations can cause a phenotype presenting as only antibody deficiency. This novel association broadens the clinical spectrum associated with ARTEMIS mutations. Clinicians should consider the possibility that an immunodeficiency with a clinically mild initial presentation could be a combined immunodeficiency, so as to provide appropriate care for affected patients.
The most frequent<i>DCLRE1C</i>(<i>ARTEMIS</i>) mutations are based on homologous recombination events
AbstractThe nuclease ARTEMIS is an essential factor of V(D)J recombination during lymphocyte development and in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) by the nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway. Patients with mutations in the DCLRE1C gene, which encodes ARTEMIS, suffer from radiosensitive B(-/low) T(-/low) severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) or radiosensitive Omenn syndrome. To date, causative DCLRE1C mutations inherited as a recessive trait have been reported in 49 patients. In this study, molecular diagnoses of 29 novel patients presenting with the phenotype of B(-/low) SCID revealed mutations in the DCLRE1C gene. In total, 13 different mutated DCLRE1C alleles were detected, nine of which have not been described before. By far the most frequent mutations (59%) were gross deletions of exons 1-3 or exons 1-4 due to a homologous recombination of the wild-type DCLRE1C gene with a pseudo-DCLRE1C gene located 61.2 kb 5' to the DCLRE1C start codon. Fine mapping of the recombination intervals revealed private mutations in most cases. MEIG1, a gene encoding a protein that is essential for spermatogenesis in mice, is lost by the gross deletions. Functional analyses on patients' fibroblasts demonstrated that the corresponding alleles carry null mutations of the DCLRE1C gene.
Frontiers in Immunology · 2021 · 57 citations · open access
Clinical, Immunological, and Molecular Features of Severe Combined Immune Deficiency: A Multi-Institutional Experience From India
AbstractBackground Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID) is an inherited defect in lymphocyte development and function that results in life-threatening opportunistic infections in early infancy. Data on SCID from developing countries are scarce. Objective To describe clinical and laboratory features of SCID diagnosed at immunology centers across India. Methods A detailed case proforma in an Excel format was prepared by one of the authors (PV) and was sent to centers in India that care for patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases. We collated clinical, laboratory, and molecular details of patients with clinical profile suggestive of SCID and their outcomes. Twelve (12) centers provided necessary details which were then compiled and analyzed. Diagnosis of SCID/combined immune deficiency (CID) was based on 2018 European Society for Immunodeficiencies working definition for SCID. Results We obtained data on 277 children; 254 were categorized as SCID and 23 as CID. Male-female ratio was 196:81. Median (inter-quartile range) age of onset of clinical symptoms and diagnosis was 2.5 months (1, 5) and 5 months (3.5, 8), respectively. Molecular diagnosis was obtained in 162 patients - IL2RG (36), RAG1 (26), ADA (19), RAG2 (17), JAK3 (15), DCLRE1C (13), IL7RA (9), PNP (3), RFXAP (3), CIITA (2), RFXANK (2), NHEJ1 (2), CD3E (2), CD3D (2), RFX5 (2), ZAP70 (2), STK4 (1), CORO1A (1), STIM1 (1), PRKDC (1), AK2 (1), DOCK2 (1), and SP100 (1). Only 23 children (8.3%) received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Of these, 11 are doing well post-HSCT. Mortality was recorded in 210 children (75.8%). Conclusion We document an exponential rise in number of cases diagnosed to have SCID over the last 10 years, probably as a result of increasing awareness and improvement in diagnostic facilities at various centers in India. We suspect that these numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. Majority of patients with SCID in India are probably not being recognized and diagnosed at present. Newborn screening for SCID is the need of the hour. Easy access to pediatric HSCT services would ensure that these patients are offered HSCT at an early age.
Allergy Asthma and Clinical Immunology · 2023 · 13 citations · open access
Demographic, clinical, immunological, and molecular features of iranian national cohort of patients with defect in DCLRE1C gene
AbstractBACKGROUND: DCLRE1C gene mutation leads to Artemis deficiency, a severe form of combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Impaired DNA repair and block in early adaptive immunity maturation results in T-B-NK+ immunodeficiency associated with radiosensitivity. Recurrent infections early in life are the main characteristic of Artemis patients. METHOD: Among 5373 registered patients, 9 Iranian patients (33.3% female) with confirmed DCLRE1C mutation were identified since 1999-2022. The demographic, clinical, immunological and genetic features were collected through retrospective investigation of medical records and using next generation sequencing. RESULTS: Seven patients were born in a consanguineous family (77.8%). The median age of onset was 6.0 (5.0-17.0) months. Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) was clinically detected at a median (IQR) age of 7.0 (6.0-20.5) months, following a median diagnostic delay of 2.0 (1.0-3.5) months The most typical first presentation was pneumonia (44.4%) and otitis media (3.33%), followed by BCG lymphadenitis (22.2%) and gastroenteritis (11.1%). The most prevalent manifestations were respiratory tract infections (including otitis media) (66.6%) and chronic diarrhea (66.6%). In addition, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (P5) and celiac disease and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (P9) as autoimmune disorders were reported in 2 patients. All patients had reduced B CD19+ and CD4+ cell counts. IgA deficiency occurred in 77.8% of individuals. CONCLUSION: Recurrent infections particulary respiratory tract infection and chronic diarrhea during the first months of life in patients born to consanguineous parents should raise the suspicion for inborn errors of immunity, even in the presence of normal growth and development.
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology · 2024 · 6 citations · open access
Artemis deficiency: A large cohort including a novel variant with increased radiosensitivity
AbstractBACKGROUND: Artemis deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a combined immunodeficiency with increased cellular radiosensitivity. In this review, the clinical and genetic characteristics of 15 patients with DCLRE1C variants are presented. METHODS: The demographic, clinical, immunologic, and genetic characteristics of patients with confirmed DCLRE1C variants diagnosed between 2013 and 2023 were collected retrospectively. Three patients were evaluated for radiosensitivity by the Comet assay, compared with age- and sex-matched healthy control. RESULTS: Seven patients who had severe infections in the first 6 months of life were diagnosed with T-B-NK+ SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency). Among them, four individuals underwent transplantation, and one of those died due to post-transplant complications in early life. Eight patients had hypomorphic variants. Half of them were awaiting a suitable donor, while the other half had already undergone transplantation. The majority of patients were born into a consanguineous family (93.3%). Most patients had recurrent sinopulmonary infections (73.3%), and one patient had no other infection than an acute respiratory infection before diagnosis. Two patients (13.3%) had autoimmunity in the form of autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Growth retardation was observed in only one patient (6.6%), and no malignancy was detected in the surviving 11 patients during the median (IQR) of 21.5 (12-45) months of follow-up. Three patients who had novel variants exhibited increased radiosensitivity and compromised DNA repair, providing a potential vulnerability to malignant transformation. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis, radiation avoidance, and careful preparation for transplantation contribute to minimizing complications, enhancing life expectancy, and improving the patient's quality of life.
Demographic, clinical, immunological, and molecular features of iranian national cohort of patients with defect in DCLRE1C gene
AbstractAbstract Background DCLRE1C gene mutation leads to Artemis deficiency, a severe form of combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Impaired DNA repair and block in early adaptive immunity maturation results in T-B-NK+ immunodeficiency associated with radiosensitivity. Recurrent infections early in life are the main characteristic of Artemis patients. Method Among 5373 registered patients, 9 Iranian patients (33.3% female) with confirmed DCLRE1C mutation were identified since 1999–2022. The demographic, clinical, immunological and genetic features were collected through retrospective investigation of medical records and using next generation sequencing. Results Seven patients were born in a consanguineous family (77.8%). The median age of onset was 6.0 (5.0–17.0) months. Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) was clinically detected at a median (IQR) age of 7.0 (6.0–20.5) months, following a median diagnostic delay of 2.0 (1.0–3.5) months The most typical first presentation was pneumonia (44.4%) and otitis media (3.33%), followed by BCG lymphadenitis (22.2%) and gastroenteritis (11.1%). The most prevalent manifestations were respiratory tract infections (including otitis media) (66.6%) and chronic diarrhea (66.6%). In addition, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (P5) and celiac disease and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (P9) as autoimmune disorders were reported in 2 patients. All patients had reduced B CD19+ and CD4+ cell counts. IgA deficiency occurred in 77.8% of individuals. Conclusion Recurrent infections particulary respiratory tract infection and chronic diarrhea during the first months of life in patients born to consanguineous parents should raise the suspicion for inborn errors of immunity, even in the presence of normal growth and development.
Demographic, clinical, immunological, and molecular features of iranian national cohort of patients with defect in DCLRE1C gene
AbstractAbstract Background DCLRE1C gene mutation leads to Artemis deficiency, a severe form of combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Impaired DNA repair and block in early adaptive immunity maturation results in T-B-NK+ immunodeficiency associated with radiosensitivity. Recurrent infections early in life are the main characteristic of Artemis patients. Method Among 5373 registered patients, 9 Iranian patients (33.3% female) with confirmed DCLRE1C mutation were identified since 1999–2022. The demographic, clinical, immunological and genetic features were collected through retrospective investigation of medical records and using next generation sequencing. Results Seven patients were born in a consanguineous family (77.8%). The median age of onset was 6.0 (5.0–17.0) months. Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) was clinically detected at a median (IQR) age of 7.0 (6.0–20.5) months, following a median diagnostic delay of 2.0 (1.0–3.5) months The most typical first presentation was pneumonia (44.4%) and otitis media (3.33%), followed by BCG lymphadenitis (22.2%) and gastroenteritis (11.1%). The most prevalent manifestations were respiratory tract infections (including otitis media) (66.6%) and chronic diarrhea (66.6%). In addition, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (P5) and celiac disease and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (P9) as autoimmune disorders were reported in 2 patients. All patients had reduced B CD19+ and CD4+ cell counts. IgA deficiency occurred in 77.8% of individuals. Conclusion Recurrent infections particulary respiratory tract infection and chronic diarrhea during the first months of life in patients born to consanguineous parents should raise the suspicion for inborn errors of immunity, even in the presence of normal growth and development.
Disease module: DeepOracle (Open Targets). Structures: RDKit from PubChem SMILES. Literature: retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works (targeted per-candidate search), resolved on OpenAlex.
DeCure is a research and publication project, not medical advice and not a treatment. "DeCure for X" describes a research goal, not a claim that a cure exists. Backing a cure is a contribution to fund the research — it is not an investment, and confers no yield, royalty, equity or IP ownership. Papers are published open-access by the DeCure.ai DAO.
