Alpha-fetoprotein, a fascinating protein and biomarker in neurology

Extensive Characterization of Platelet Gel Releasate From Cord Blood in Regenerative Medicine

Platelet gel derived from peripheral blood is widely applied in many clinical fields of surgery as biomaterial containing growth factors with high proliferative properties. In 2010, we studied and patented a platelet gel derived from cord blood. In this study, due to the crucial role of the factors released by the platelet gel, we first extended the characterization of its releasate. Using a wide proteomic array and splitting the two components of the releasate, that is, platelets and plasma, we have been able to study their growth factor content. Interestingly, we discovered high levels of hormones and molecules able to support tissue growth in the cord blood platelet gel releasate and, in addition, higher concentrations of several angiogenic factors if compared with the peripheral blood counterpart. On the contrary, the latter was much richer in inflammatory factors. The second aim of our work was to study the effects on cell culture, immunophenotype, and function of mesenchymal stem cells exposed to these two platelet gel releasates as substitute for the animal serum. Since our findings nicely show that the use of the peripheral versus the cord blood platelet gel releasate can differently influence the mesenchymal stem cell commitment, we can suggest that in addition to its peculiar angiogenic properties cord blood platelet gel releasate shows excellent proliferative properties as cell culture supplement.

Prenatal growth restriction, retinal dystrophy, diabetes insipidus and white matter disease: expanding the spectrum of PRPS1-related disorders

PRPS1 codes for the enzyme phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase-1 (PRS-1). The spectrum of PRPS1-related disorders associated with reduced activity includes Arts syndrome, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease-5 (CMTX5) and X-linked non-syndromic sensorineural deafness (DFN2). We describe a novel phenotype associated with decreased PRS-1 function in two affected male siblings. Using whole exome and Sanger sequencing techniques, we identified a novel missense mutation in PRPS1. The clinical phenotype in our patients is characterized by high prenatal maternal α-fetoprotein, intrauterine growth restriction, dysmorphic facial features, severe intellectual disability and spastic quadraparesis. Additional phenotypic features include macular coloboma-like lesions with retinal dystrophy, severe short stature and diabetes insipidus. Exome sequencing of the two affected male siblings identified a shared putative pathogenic mutation c.586C>T p.(Arg196Trp) in the PRPS1 gene that was maternally inherited. Follow-up testing showed normal levels of hypoxanthine in urine samples and uric acid levels in blood serum. The PRS activity was significantly reduced in erythrocytes of the two patients. Nucleotide analysis in erythrocytes revealed abnormally low guanosine triphosphate and guanosine diphosphate. This presentation is the most severe form of PRPS1-deficiency syndrome described to date and expands the spectrum of PRPS1-related disorders.