Master Hyper IgM Syndrome with Picmonic for Medicine

CD40 ligand on helper T-cells attaches to the CD40 receptor on B-cells, working to activate B-cells to undergo class switching and produce specific immunoglobulins for pathogen defense. In this syndrome, patients may have a defective CD40 ligand gene resulting in insufficient CD40 ligand production. Consequently, B-cells are unable to mount a specific immunoglobulin response and continue to produce non-specific IgM.

Another pathogenetic process that results in Hyper IgM syndrome involves a defective CD40 receptor gene resulting in insufficient/poorly formed CD40 receptors. Consequently, B-cells are unable to mount a specific immunoglobulin response and continue to produce non-specific IgM.

Class switching describes the cell's ability to change immunoglobulin response from non-specific IgM to specific types of IgA, IgE, and IgG class immunoglobulins. In hyper IgM syndrome, there is defective class switching.

Patients with hyper IgM syndrome present with multiple abscesses, pyogenic infections, and neutropenia due to the inability to class switch. These typically present early in life.

Patients without the ability to class switch are limited in their ability to produce specific immunoglobulin classes; such as IgA, IgE, and IgG. This results in an overproduction of non-specific IgM.