ICF syndrome

A rare autosomal recessive syndrome with combined immunodeficiency characterized by the clinical triad of immunodeficiency, centromeric instability and facial anomalies (abbreviated ICF syndrome). The immunodeficiency is with panhypogammaglobulinemia, and a lack of memory (CD19+CD27+) B cells in the peripheral blood, although B and T-cell counts are normal. Anomalies and rearrangements associated with DNA hypomethylation in the vicinity of the centromeres (the juxtacentromeric heterochromatin) of chromosomes 1 and 16 and sometimes 9, in mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes, is a hallmark of the syndrome. The typical facial anomalies include hypertelorism, low-set ears, epicanthus and macroglossia.