RAG Mutations in Human B Cell-Negative SCID

Patients with human severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) can be divided into those with B lymphocytes (B+ SCID) and those without (B− SCID). Although several genetic causes are known for B+ SCID, the etiology of B− SCID has not been defined. Six of 14 B− SCID patients tested were found to carry a mutation of the recombinase activating gene 1 (RAG-1), RAG-2, or both. This mutation resulted in a functional inability to form antigen receptors through genetic recombination and links a defect in one of the site-specific recombination systems to a human disease.