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Marakhonov AV, Vasilyeva TA, Minzhenkova ME, Sukhanova NV, Sparber PA, Andreeva NA, Teleshova MV, Baybagisova FKM, Shilova NV, Kutsev SI, Zinchenko RA. Complex Chromosomal Rearrangement Involving Chromosomes 10 and 11, Accompanied by Two Adjacent 11p14.1p13 and 11p13p12 Deletions, Identified in a Patient with WAGR Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16923. [PMID: 38069245 PMCID: PMC10707340 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Three years ago, our patient, at that time a 16-month-old boy, was discovered to have bilateral kidney lesions with a giant tumor in the right kidney. Chemotherapy and bilateral nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) for Wilms tumor with nephroblastomatosis was carried out. The patient also had eye affection, including glaucoma, eye enlargement, megalocornea, severe corneal swelling and opacity, complete aniridia, and nystagmus. The diagnosis of WAGR syndrome was suspected. De novo complex chromosomal rearrangement with balanced translocation t(10,11)(p15;p13) and a pericentric inversion inv(11)(p13q12), accompanied by two adjacent 11p14.1p13 and 11p13p12 deletions, were identified. Deletions are raised through the complex molecular mechanism of two subsequent rearrangements affecting chromosomes 11 and 10. WAGR syndrome diagnosis was clinically and molecularly confirmed, highlighting the necessity of comprehensive genetic testing in patients with congenital aniridia and/or WAGR syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey V. Marakhonov
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow 115522, Russia; (T.A.V.); (M.E.M.); (N.V.S.); (P.A.S.); (N.V.S.); (S.I.K.); (R.A.Z.)
| | - Tatyana A. Vasilyeva
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow 115522, Russia; (T.A.V.); (M.E.M.); (N.V.S.); (P.A.S.); (N.V.S.); (S.I.K.); (R.A.Z.)
| | - Marina E. Minzhenkova
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow 115522, Russia; (T.A.V.); (M.E.M.); (N.V.S.); (P.A.S.); (N.V.S.); (S.I.K.); (R.A.Z.)
| | - Natella V. Sukhanova
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow 115522, Russia; (T.A.V.); (M.E.M.); (N.V.S.); (P.A.S.); (N.V.S.); (S.I.K.); (R.A.Z.)
| | - Peter A. Sparber
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow 115522, Russia; (T.A.V.); (M.E.M.); (N.V.S.); (P.A.S.); (N.V.S.); (S.I.K.); (R.A.Z.)
| | - Natalya A. Andreeva
- Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow 117997, Russia; (N.A.A.); (M.V.T.)
| | - Margarita V. Teleshova
- Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow 117997, Russia; (N.A.A.); (M.V.T.)
| | | | - Nadezhda V. Shilova
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow 115522, Russia; (T.A.V.); (M.E.M.); (N.V.S.); (P.A.S.); (N.V.S.); (S.I.K.); (R.A.Z.)
| | - Sergey I. Kutsev
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow 115522, Russia; (T.A.V.); (M.E.M.); (N.V.S.); (P.A.S.); (N.V.S.); (S.I.K.); (R.A.Z.)
| | - Rena A. Zinchenko
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow 115522, Russia; (T.A.V.); (M.E.M.); (N.V.S.); (P.A.S.); (N.V.S.); (S.I.K.); (R.A.Z.)
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Vasilyeva TA, Marakhonov AV, Voskresenskaya AA, Kadyshev VV, Sukhanova NV, Minzhenkova ME, Shilova NV, Latyshova AA, Ginter EK, Kutsev SI, Zinchenko RA. Epidemiology of PAX6 Gene Pathogenic Variants and Expected Prevalence of PAX6-Associated Congenital Aniridia across the Russian Federation: A Nationwide Study. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2041. [PMID: 38002984 PMCID: PMC10671545 DOI: 10.3390/genes14112041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the distribution of PAX6-associated congenital aniridia (AN) and WAGR syndrome across Russian Federation (RF) districts while characterizing PAX6 gene variants. We contribute novel PAX6 pathogenic variants and 11p13 chromosome region rearrangements to international databases based on a cohort of 379 AN patients (295 families, 295 probands) in Russia. We detail 100 newly characterized families (129 patients) recruited from clinical practice and specialized screening studies. Our methodology involves multiplex ligase-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis of the 11p13 chromosome, PAX6 gene Sanger sequencing, and karyotype analysis. We report novel findings on PAX6 gene variations, including 67 intragenic PAX6 variants and 33 chromosome deletions in the 100 newly characterized families. Our expanded sample of 295 AN families with 379 patients reveals a consistent global PAX6 variant spectrum, including CNVs (copy number variants) of the 11p13 chromosome (31%), complex rearrangements (1.4%), nonsense (25%), frameshift (18%), and splicing variants (15%). No genetic cause of AN is defined in 10 patients. The distribution of patients across the Russian Federation varies, likely due to sample completeness. This study offers the first AN epidemiological data for the RF, providing a comprehensive PAX6 variants spectrum. Based on earlier assessment of AN prevalence in the RF (1:98,943) we have revealed unexamined patients ranging from 55% to 87%, that emphases the need for increased awareness and comprehensive diagnostics in AN patient care in Russia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana A. Vasilyeva
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, 115522 Moscow, Russia; (T.A.V.); (V.V.K.); (N.V.S.); (M.E.M.); (N.V.S.); (E.K.G.); (S.I.K.); (R.A.Z.)
| | - Andrey V. Marakhonov
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, 115522 Moscow, Russia; (T.A.V.); (V.V.K.); (N.V.S.); (M.E.M.); (N.V.S.); (E.K.G.); (S.I.K.); (R.A.Z.)
| | - Anna A. Voskresenskaya
- Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery Federal State Institution Cheboksary Branch, 428028 Cheboksary, Russia;
| | - Vitaly V. Kadyshev
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, 115522 Moscow, Russia; (T.A.V.); (V.V.K.); (N.V.S.); (M.E.M.); (N.V.S.); (E.K.G.); (S.I.K.); (R.A.Z.)
| | - Natella V. Sukhanova
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, 115522 Moscow, Russia; (T.A.V.); (V.V.K.); (N.V.S.); (M.E.M.); (N.V.S.); (E.K.G.); (S.I.K.); (R.A.Z.)
| | - Marina E. Minzhenkova
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, 115522 Moscow, Russia; (T.A.V.); (V.V.K.); (N.V.S.); (M.E.M.); (N.V.S.); (E.K.G.); (S.I.K.); (R.A.Z.)
| | - Nadezhda V. Shilova
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, 115522 Moscow, Russia; (T.A.V.); (V.V.K.); (N.V.S.); (M.E.M.); (N.V.S.); (E.K.G.); (S.I.K.); (R.A.Z.)
| | | | - Evgeny K. Ginter
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, 115522 Moscow, Russia; (T.A.V.); (V.V.K.); (N.V.S.); (M.E.M.); (N.V.S.); (E.K.G.); (S.I.K.); (R.A.Z.)
| | - Sergey I. Kutsev
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, 115522 Moscow, Russia; (T.A.V.); (V.V.K.); (N.V.S.); (M.E.M.); (N.V.S.); (E.K.G.); (S.I.K.); (R.A.Z.)
| | - Rena A. Zinchenko
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, 115522 Moscow, Russia; (T.A.V.); (V.V.K.); (N.V.S.); (M.E.M.); (N.V.S.); (E.K.G.); (S.I.K.); (R.A.Z.)
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3
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Sigurdardottir S, von der Lippe C, Media L, Ullmann Miller J, Landsend ECS. Self-reported symptoms of everyday executive dysfunction, daytime sleepiness, and fatigue and health status among adults with congenital aniridia: a descriptive study. Health Psychol Behav Med 2023; 11:2263534. [PMID: 37811316 PMCID: PMC10552592 DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2023.2263534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Congenital aniridia is a rare genetic disorder of the eye characterized by visual impairment and progressive vision loss. While prior research has focused on ocular manifestations in individuals with aniridia, there is a dearth of research on impacts on cognition and mental health. The aims of this study were to describe subjective symptoms of everyday executive functioning, fatigue and sleepiness in adults with aniridia and to compare self-reported health status with that of a normative reference group. Methods Twenty-nine adults (aged 18-79 years) with congenital aniridia were included in this online survey, of whom 52% were females. Participants completed self-report measures of executive functioning (The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version), sleepiness, fatigue, and health status (EQ-5D-5L). Results Participants reported relatively few problems in everyday executive functioning, with only 14% experiencing impaired executive functioning. Scores on the five EQ-5D-5L domains (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain, and anxiety/depression) did not differ from those of the normative reference group. The frequencies of excessive daytime sleepiness and severe fatigue were 17% and 38%, respectively. Ocular pain was experienced by 62% of participants. Conclusions The findings show that cognitive problems are related to and reflect self-reported health status and extent of fatigue. Moreover, those who suffered from ocular pain reported more difficulties with executive functioning, sleepiness and fatigue. These findings are important for understanding this disorder and supporting patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solrun Sigurdardottir
- Women and Children’s Division, Centre for Rare Disorders, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Line Media
- Women and Children’s Division, Centre for Rare Disorders, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jeanette Ullmann Miller
- Women and Children’s Division, Centre for Rare Disorders, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Daruich A, Duncan M, Robert MP, Lagali N, Semina EV, Aberdam D, Ferrari S, Romano V, des Roziers CB, Benkortebi R, De Vergnes N, Polak M, Chiambaretta F, Nischal KK, Behar-Cohen F, Valleix S, Bremond-Gignac D. Congenital aniridia beyond black eyes: From phenotype and novel genetic mechanisms to innovative therapeutic approaches. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 95:101133. [PMID: 36280537 PMCID: PMC11062406 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Congenital PAX6-aniridia, initially characterized by the absence of the iris, has progressively been shown to be associated with other developmental ocular abnormalities and systemic features making congenital aniridia a complex syndromic disorder rather than a simple isolated disease of the iris. Moreover, foveal hypoplasia is now recognized as a more frequent feature than complete iris hypoplasia and a major visual prognosis determinant, reversing the classical clinical picture of this disease. Conversely, iris malformation is also a feature of various anterior segment dysgenesis disorders caused by PAX6-related developmental genes, adding a level of genetic complexity for accurate molecular diagnosis of aniridia. Therefore, the clinical recognition and differential genetic diagnosis of PAX6-related aniridia has been revealed to be much more challenging than initially thought, and still remains under-investigated. Here, we update specific clinical features of aniridia, with emphasis on their genotype correlations, as well as provide new knowledge regarding the PAX6 gene and its mutational spectrum, and highlight the beneficial utility of clinically implementing targeted Next-Generation Sequencing combined with Whole-Genome Sequencing to increase the genetic diagnostic yield of aniridia. We also present new molecular mechanisms underlying aniridia and aniridia-like phenotypes. Finally, we discuss the appropriate medical and surgical management of aniridic eyes, as well as innovative therapeutic options. Altogether, these combined clinical-genetic approaches will help to accelerate time to diagnosis, provide better determination of the disease prognosis and management, and confirm eligibility for future clinical trials or genetic-specific therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Daruich
- Ophthalmology Department, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France; INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | - Melinda Duncan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Matthieu P Robert
- Ophthalmology Department, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France; Borelli Centre, UMR 9010, CNRS-SSA-ENS Paris Saclay-Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Neil Lagali
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Ophthalmology, Sørlandet Hospital Arendal, Arendal, Norway
| | - Elena V Semina
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Research Institute at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Daniel Aberdam
- INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | - Stefano Ferrari
- Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto, Via Paccagnella 11, Venice, Italy
| | - Vito Romano
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiolological Sciences, and Public Health, Ophthalmology Clinic, University of Brescia, Italy
| | - Cyril Burin des Roziers
- INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France; Service de Médecine Génomique des Maladies de Système et d'Organe, APHP. Centre Université de Paris, Fédération de Génétique et de Médecine Génomique Hôpital Cochin, 27 rue du Fbg St-Jacques, 75679, Paris Cedex 14, France
| | - Rabia Benkortebi
- Ophthalmology Department, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Nathalie De Vergnes
- Ophthalmology Department, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Michel Polak
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Gynecology and Diabetology, Hôpital Universitaire Necker Enfants Malades, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, INSERM U1016, Institut IMAGINE, France
| | | | - Ken K Nischal
- Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus, and Adult Motility, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Eye Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Francine Behar-Cohen
- INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Valleix
- INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France; Service de Médecine Génomique des Maladies de Système et d'Organe, APHP. Centre Université de Paris, Fédération de Génétique et de Médecine Génomique Hôpital Cochin, 27 rue du Fbg St-Jacques, 75679, Paris Cedex 14, France
| | - Dominique Bremond-Gignac
- Ophthalmology Department, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France; INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France.
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5
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Tomas-Roca L, Qiu Z, Fransén E, Gokhale R, Bulovaite E, Price DJ, Komiyama NH, Grant SGN. Developmental disruption and restoration of brain synaptome architecture in the murine Pax6 neurodevelopmental disease model. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6836. [PMID: 36369219 PMCID: PMC9652404 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34131-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders of genetic origin delay the acquisition of normal abilities and cause disabling phenotypes. Nevertheless, spontaneous attenuation and even complete amelioration of symptoms in early childhood and adolescence can occur in many disorders, suggesting that brain circuits possess an intrinsic capacity to overcome the deficits arising from some germline mutations. We examined the molecular composition of almost a trillion excitatory synapses on a brain-wide scale between birth and adulthood in mice carrying a mutation in the homeobox transcription factor Pax6, a neurodevelopmental disorder model. Pax6 haploinsufficiency had no impact on total synapse number at any age. By contrast, the molecular composition of excitatory synapses, the postnatal expansion of synapse diversity and the acquisition of normal synaptome architecture were delayed in all brain regions, interfering with networks and electrophysiological simulations of cognitive functions. Specific excitatory synapse types and subtypes were affected in two key developmental age-windows. These phenotypes were reversed within 2-3 weeks of onset, restoring synapse diversity and synaptome architecture to the normal developmental trajectory. Synapse subtypes with rapid protein turnover mediated the synaptome remodeling. This brain-wide capacity for remodeling of synapse molecular composition to recover and maintain the developmental trajectory of synaptome architecture may help confer resilience to neurodevelopmental genetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Tomas-Roca
- Genes to Cognition Program, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Zhen Qiu
- Genes to Cognition Program, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Erik Fransén
- Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Ragini Gokhale
- Genes to Cognition Program, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Edita Bulovaite
- Genes to Cognition Program, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - David J Price
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB), Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Noboru H Komiyama
- Genes to Cognition Program, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB), Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Seth G N Grant
- Genes to Cognition Program, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB), Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
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van Heyningen V. A Journey Through Genetics to Biology. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2022; 23:1-27. [PMID: 35567277 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-010622-095109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Although my engagement with human genetics emerged gradually, and sometimes serendipitously, it has held me spellbound for decades. Without my teachers, students, postdocs, colleagues, and collaborators, I would not be writing this review of my scientific adventures. Early gene and disease mapping was a satisfying puzzle-solving exercise, but building biological insight was my main goal. The project trajectory was hugely influenced by the evolutionarily conserved nature of the implicated genes and by the pace of progress in genetic technologies. The rich detail of clinical observations, particularly in eye disease, makes humans an excellent model, especially when complemented by the use of multiple other animal species for experimental validation. The contributions of collaborators and rivals also influenced our approach. We are very fortunate to work in this era of unprecedented progress in genetics and genomics. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics, Volume 23 is October 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica van Heyningen
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom;
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Warnecke A, Harre J, Shew M, Mellott AJ, Majewski I, Durisin M, Staecker H. Successful Treatment of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss by Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: An RNAseq Analysis of Protective/Repair Pathways. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:656930. [PMID: 34887728 PMCID: PMC8650824 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.656930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are an adult derived stem cell-like population that has been shown to mediate repair in a wide range of degenerative disorders. The protective effects of MSCs are mainly mediated by the release of growth factors and cytokines thereby modulating the diseased environment and the immune system. Within the inner ear, MSCs have been shown protective against tissue damage induced by sound and a variety of ototoxins. To better understand the mechanism of action of MSCs in the inner ear, mice were exposed to narrow band noise. After exposure, MSCs derived from human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly were injected into the perilymph. Controls consisted of mice exposed to sound trauma only. Forty-eight hours post-cell delivery, total RNA was extracted from the cochlea and RNAseq performed to evaluate the gene expression induced by the cell therapy. Changes in gene expression were grouped together based on gene ontology classification. A separate cohort of animals was treated in a similar fashion and allowed to survive for 2 weeks post-cell therapy and hearing outcomes determined. Treatment with MSCs after severe sound trauma induced a moderate hearing protective effect. MSC treatment resulted in an up-regulation of genes related to immune modulation, hypoxia response, mitochondrial function and regulation of apoptosis. There was a down-regulation of genes related to synaptic remodeling, calcium homeostasis and the extracellular matrix. Application of MSCs may provide a novel approach to treating sound trauma induced hearing loss and may aid in the identification of novel strategies to protect hearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasia Warnecke
- Clinic for Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Hanover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all” of the German Research Foundation (EXC 2177/1), Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Jennifer Harre
- Clinic for Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Hanover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all” of the German Research Foundation (EXC 2177/1), Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Matthew Shew
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | | | - Igor Majewski
- Clinic for Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Hanover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Martin Durisin
- Clinic for Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Hanover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Hinrich Staecker
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, United States
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8
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Xu Y, Xi J, Wang G, Guo Z, Sun Q, Lu C, Ma L, Wu Y, Jia W, Zhu S, Guo X, Bian S, Kang J. PAUPAR and PAX6 sequentially regulate human embryonic stem cell cortical differentiation. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:1935-1950. [PMID: 33544864 PMCID: PMC7913681 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a wide range of roles in the epigenetic regulation of crucial biological processes, but the functions of lncRNAs in cortical development are poorly understood. Using human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-based 2D neural differentiation approach and 3D cerebral organoid system, we identified that the lncRNA PAUPAR, which is adjacent to PAX6, plays essential roles in cortical differentiation by interacting with PAX6 to regulate the expression of a large number of neural genes. Mechanistic studies showed that PAUPAR confers PAX6 proper binding sites on the target neural genes by directly binding the genomic regions of these genes. Moreover, PAX6 recruits the histone methyltransferase NSD1 through its C-terminal PST enrichment domain, then regulate H3K36 methylation and the expression of target genes. Collectively, our data reveal that the PAUPAR/PAX6/NSD1 complex plays a critical role in the epigenetic regulation of hESC cortical differentiation and highlight the importance of PAUPAR as an intrinsic regulator of cortical differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxin Xu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiajie Xi
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guiying Wang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenming Guo
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Bio-X Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiaoyi Sun
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenqi Lu
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Ma
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yukang Wu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenwen Jia
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Songcheng Zhu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xudong Guo
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shan Bian
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiuhong Kang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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9
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Landsend ECS, Lagali N, Utheim TP. Congenital aniridia - A comprehensive review of clinical features and therapeutic approaches. Surv Ophthalmol 2021; 66:1031-1050. [PMID: 33675823 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2021.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Congenital aniridia is a rare genetic eye disorder with total or partial absence of the iris from birth. In most cases the genetic origin of aniridia is a mutation in the PAX6 gene, leading to involvement of most eye structures. Hypoplasia of the fovea is usually present and is associated with reduced visual acuity and nystagmus. Aniridia-associated keratopathy, glaucoma, and cataract are serious and progressive complications that can further reduce visual function. Treatment of the ocular complications of aniridia is challenging and has a high risk of side effects. New approaches such as stem cell therapy may, however, offer better prognoses. We describe the various ocular manifestations of aniridia, with a special focus on conditions that commonly require treatment. We also review the growing literature reporting systemic manifestations of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Neil Lagali
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Tor P Utheim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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10
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Grant MK, Bobilev AM, Branch A, Lauderdale JD. Structural and functional consequences of PAX6 mutations in the brain: Implications for aniridia. Brain Res 2021; 1756:147283. [PMID: 33515537 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2021.147283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The paired-box 6 (PAX6) gene encodes a highly conserved transcription factor essential for the proper development of the eye and brain. Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in PAX6 are causal for a condition known as aniridia in humans and the Small eye phenotype in mice. Aniridia is characterized by iris hypoplasia and other ocular abnormalities, but recent evidence of neuroanatomical, sensory, and cognitive impairments in this population has emerged, indicating brain-related phenotypes as a prevalent feature of the disorder. Determining the neurophysiological origins of brain-related phenotypes in this disorder presents a substantial challenge, as the majority of extra-ocular traits in aniridia demonstrate a high degree of heterogeneity. Here, we summarize and integrate findings from human and rodent model studies, which have focused on neuroanatomical and functional consequences of PAX6 mutations. We highlight novel findings from PAX6 central nervous system studies in adult mammals, and integrate these findings into what we know about PAX6's role in development of the central nervous system. This review presents the current literature in the field in order to inform clinical application, discusses what is needed in future studies, and highlights PAX6 as a lens through which to understand genetic disorders affecting the human nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison K Grant
- Department of Cellular Biology, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Anastasia M Bobilev
- Neuroscience Division of the Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Audrey Branch
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
| | - James D Lauderdale
- Department of Cellular Biology, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Neuroscience Division of the Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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11
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Cole JD, Rodriguez C, Norat P, Gao J, Provencio I, Netland PA, Liu X. Neural damage and neuroprotection with glaucoma development in aniridia. CURRENT NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 12:14-19. [PMID: 38125639 PMCID: PMC10732493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- James D Cole
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Carlos Rodriguez
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Pedro Norat
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jingyi Gao
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Ignacio Provencio
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Peter A Netland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Xiaorong Liu
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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12
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Hadj-Moussa H, Pamenter ME, Storey KB. Hypoxic naked mole-rat brains use microRNA to coordinate hypometabolic fuels and neuroprotective defenses. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:5080-5097. [PMID: 33305831 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Naked mole-rats are among the mammalian champions of hypoxia tolerance. They evolved adaptations centered around reducing metabolic rate to overcome the challenges experienced in their underground burrows. In this study, we used next-generation sequencing to investigate one of the factors likely supporting hypoxia tolerance in naked mole-rat brains, posttranscriptional microRNAs (miRNAs). Of the 212 conserved miRNAs identified using small RNA sequencing, 18 displayed significant differential expression during hypoxia. Bioinformatic enrichment revealed that hypoxia-mediated miRNAs were suppressing energy expensive processes including de novo protein translation and cellular proliferation. This suppression occurred alongside the activation of neuroprotective and neuroinflammatory pathways, and the induction of central signal transduction pathways including HIF-1α and NFκB via miR-335, miR-101, and miR-155. MiRNAs also coordinated anaerobic glycolytic fuel sources, where hypoxia-upregulated miR-365 likely suppressed protein levels of ketohexokinase, the enzyme responsible for catalyzing the first committed step of fructose catabolism. This was further supported by a hypoxia-mediated reduction in glucose transporter 5 proteins that import fructose into the cell. Yet, messenger RNA and protein levels of lactate dehydrogenase, which converts pyruvate to lactate in the absence of oxygen, were elevated during hypoxia. Together, this demonstrated the induction of anaerobic glycolysis despite a lack of reliance on fructose as the primary fuel source, suggesting that hypoxic brains are metabolically different than anoxic naked mole-rat brains that were previously found to shift to fructose-based glycolysis. Our findings contribute to the growing body of oxygen-responsive miRNAs "OxymiRs" that facilitate natural miRNA-mediated mechanisms for successful hypoxic exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew E Pamenter
- Biology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kenneth B Storey
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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13
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Al-Awadhi FH, Salvador-Reyes LA, Elsadek LA, Ratnayake R, Chen QY, Luesch H. Largazole is a Brain-Penetrant Class I HDAC Inhibitor with Extended Applicability to Glioblastoma and CNS Diseases. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:1937-1943. [PMID: 32559056 PMCID: PMC7390227 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Largazole is a potent class I selective histone deacetylase inhibitor prodrug with anticancer activity against solid tumors in preclinical models. Largazole possesses in vitro activity against glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells and sufficiently crosses the blood-brain barrier based on measurement of the active species, largazole thiol, to achieve therapeutically relevant concentrations in the mouse brain. The effective dose resulted in pronounced functional responses on the transcript level based on RNA sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction after reverse transcription (RT-qPCR), revealing desirable expression changes of genes related to neuroprotection, including Bdnf and Pax6 upregulation, extending the applicability of largazole to the treatment of brain cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. The largazole-induced modulation of Pax6 unifies both activities, since Pax6 expression suppresses GBM proliferation and invasion and inversely correlates with GBM tumor grade, while it is also implicated in neurogenesis, neuronal plasticity, and cognitive ability. Our results suggest that largazole could be repurposed for diseases of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma H. Al-Awadhi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, 1345 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait
| | - Lilibeth A. Salvador-Reyes
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, 1345 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
- Marine Science Institute, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, 1100 Philippines
| | - Lobna A. Elsadek
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, 1345 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Ranjala Ratnayake
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, 1345 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Qi-Yin Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, 1345 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Hendrik Luesch
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development (CNPD3), University of Florida, 1345 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
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14
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Grant MK, Bobilev AM, Rasys AM, Branson Byers J, Schriever HC, Hekmatyar K, Lauderdale JD. Global and age-related neuroanatomical abnormalities in a Pax6-deficient mouse model of aniridia suggests a role for Pax6 in adult structural neuroplasticity. Brain Res 2020; 1732:146698. [PMID: 32014531 PMCID: PMC10712278 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.146698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
PAX6 encodes a highly conserved transcription factor necessary for normal development of the eyes and central nervous system. Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in PAX6 cause the disorder aniridia in humans and the Small eye trait in mice. Aniridia is a congenital and progressive disorder known for ocular phenotypes; however, recently, consequences of PAX6 haploinsufficiency in the brains of aniridia patients have been identified. These findings span structural and functional abnormalities, including deficits in cognitive and sensory processing. Furthermore, some of these abnormalities are accelerated as aniridia patients age. Although some functional abnormalities may be explained by structural changes, variability of results remain, and the effects of PAX6 heterozygous loss-of-function mutations on neuroanatomy, particularly with regard to aging, have yet to be resolved. Our study used high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histology to investigate structural consequences of such mutations in the adult brain of our aniridia mouse model, Small eye Neuherberg allele (Pax6SeyNeu/+), at two adult age groups. Using both MRI and histology enables a direct comparison with human studies, while providing higher resolution for detection of more subtle changes. We show volumetric changes in major brain regions of the the Pax6SeyNeu/+ mouse compared to wild-type including genotype- and age-related olfactory bulb differences, age-related cerebellum differences, and genotype-related eye differences. We also show alterations in thickness of major interhemispheric commissures, particularly those anteriorly located within the brain including the optic chiasm, corpus callosum, and anterior commissure. Together, these genotype and age related changes to brain volumes and structures suggest a global decrease in adult brain structural plasticity in our Pax6SeyNeu/+ mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison K Grant
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, 250B Coverdell Center, 500 D.W. Brooks Drive, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
| | - Anastasia M Bobilev
- Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX, United States; Neuroscience Division of the Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
| | - Ashley M Rasys
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, 250B Coverdell Center, 500 D.W. Brooks Drive, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
| | - J Branson Byers
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, 250B Coverdell Center, 500 D.W. Brooks Drive, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
| | - Hannah C Schriever
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, 250B Coverdell Center, 500 D.W. Brooks Drive, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
| | - Khan Hekmatyar
- Bio-imaging Research Center, University of Georgia, Coverdell Center, 500 D.W. Brooks Drive, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
| | - James D Lauderdale
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, 250B Coverdell Center, 500 D.W. Brooks Drive, Athens, GA 30602, United States; Neuroscience Division of the Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
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15
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Williamson KA, Hall HN, Owen LJ, Livesey BJ, Hanson IM, Adams GGW, Bodek S, Calvas P, Castle B, Clarke M, Deng AT, Edery P, Fisher R, Gillessen-Kaesbach G, Heon E, Hurst J, Josifova D, Lorenz B, McKee S, Meire F, Moore AT, Parker M, Reiff CM, Self J, Tobias ES, Verheij JBGM, Willems M, Williams D, van Heyningen V, Marsh JA, FitzPatrick DR. Recurrent heterozygous PAX6 missense variants cause severe bilateral microphthalmia via predictable effects on DNA-protein interaction. Genet Med 2020; 22:598-609. [PMID: 31700164 PMCID: PMC7056646 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-019-0685-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Most classical aniridia is caused by PAX6 haploinsufficiency. PAX6 missense variants can be hypomorphic or mimic haploinsufficiency. We hypothesized that missense variants also cause previously undescribed disease by altering the affinity and/or specificity of PAX6 genomic interactions. METHODS We screened PAX6 in 372 individuals with bilateral microphthalmia, anophthalmia, or coloboma (MAC) from the Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit eye malformation cohort (HGUeye) and reviewed data from the Deciphering Developmental Disorders study. We performed cluster analysis on PAX6-associated ocular phenotypes by variant type and molecular modeling of the structural impact of 86 different PAX6 causative missense variants. RESULTS Eight different PAX6 missense variants were identified in 17 individuals (15 families) with MAC, accounting for 4% (15/372) of our cohort. Seven altered the paired domain (p.[Arg26Gln]x1, p.[Gly36Val]x1, p.[Arg38Trp]x2, p.[Arg38Gln]x1, p.[Gly51Arg]x2, p.[Ser54Arg]x2, p.[Asn124Lys]x5) and one the homeodomain (p.[Asn260Tyr]x1). p.Ser54Arg and p.Asn124Lys were exclusively associated with severe bilateral microphthalmia. MAC-associated variants were predicted to alter but not ablate DNA interaction, consistent with the electrophoretic mobility shifts observed using mutant paired domains with well-characterized PAX6-binding sites. We found no strong evidence for novel PAX6-associated extraocular disease. CONCLUSION Altering the affinity and specificity of PAX6-binding genome-wide provides a plausible mechanism for the worse-than-null effects of MAC-associated missense variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen A Williamson
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - H Nikki Hall
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Liusaidh J Owen
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Benjamin J Livesey
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Isabel M Hanson
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Simon Bodek
- Department of Clinical Genetics, St Michael's Hospital, Southwell Street, Bristol, UK
| | - Patrick Calvas
- CHU Toulouse, Service de Génétique Médicale, Hôpital Purpan, Toulouse, France
| | - Bruce Castle
- Peninsula Clinical Genetics, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospitals (Heavitree), Exeter, UK
| | - Michael Clarke
- Newcastle Eye Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Alexander T Deng
- Clinical Genetics, Guys and St Thomas NHS Trust, Great Maze Pond, London, UK
| | - Patrick Edery
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Genetic Department and National HHT Reference Center, Femme-Mère-Enfants Hospital, Bron, France
| | - Richard Fisher
- Teeside Genetics Unit, The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK
| | | | - Elise Heon
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jane Hurst
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - Dragana Josifova
- Clinical Genetics, Guys and St Thomas NHS Trust, Great Maze Pond, London, UK
| | - Birgit Lorenz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Shane McKee
- Northern Ireland Regional Genetics Service (NIRGS), Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, UK
| | - Francoise Meire
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Michael Parker
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Charlotte M Reiff
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jay Self
- University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Edward S Tobias
- Academic Medical Genetics and Pathology, University of Glasgow, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Joke B G M Verheij
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Denise Williams
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Birmingham Women's Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Veronica van Heyningen
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Joseph A Marsh
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - David R FitzPatrick
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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16
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Zeng W, Chen X, Duren Z, Wang Y, Jiang R, Wong WH. DC3 is a method for deconvolution and coupled clustering from bulk and single-cell genomics data. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4613. [PMID: 31601804 PMCID: PMC6787340 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12547-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterizing and interpreting heterogeneous mixtures at the cellular level is a critical problem in genomics. Single-cell assays offer an opportunity to resolve cellular level heterogeneity, e.g., scRNA-seq enables single-cell expression profiling, and scATAC-seq identifies active regulatory elements. Furthermore, while scHi-C can measure the chromatin contacts (i.e., loops) between active regulatory elements to target genes in single cells, bulk HiChIP can measure such contacts in a higher resolution. In this work, we introduce DC3 (De-Convolution and Coupled-Clustering) as a method for the joint analysis of various bulk and single-cell data such as HiChIP, RNA-seq and ATAC-seq from the same heterogeneous cell population. DC3 can simultaneously identify distinct subpopulations, assign single cells to the subpopulations (i.e., clustering) and de-convolve the bulk data into subpopulation-specific data. The subpopulation-specific profiles of gene expression, chromatin accessibility and enhancer-promoter contact obtained by DC3 provide a comprehensive characterization of the gene regulatory system in each subpopulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanwen Zeng
- Department of Statistics, Department of Biomedical Data Science, Bio-X Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Bioinformatics Division, Department of Automation, Beijing National Research Center for Information Science and Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Statistics, Department of Biomedical Data Science, Bio-X Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Zhana Duren
- Department of Statistics, Department of Biomedical Data Science, Bio-X Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Yong Wang
- CEMS, NCMIS, MDIS, Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100080, China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, China
| | - Rui Jiang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Bioinformatics Division, Department of Automation, Beijing National Research Center for Information Science and Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Wing Hung Wong
- Department of Statistics, Department of Biomedical Data Science, Bio-X Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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17
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Bobilev AM, Hudgens-Haney ME, Hamm JP, Oliver WT, McDowell JE, Lauderdale JD, Clementz BA. Early and late auditory information processing show opposing deviations in aniridia. Brain Res 2019; 1720:146307. [PMID: 31247203 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Aniridia is a congenital disorder, predominantly caused by heterozygous mutations of the PAX6 gene. While ocular defects have been extensively characterized in this population, brain-related anatomical and functional abnormalities are emerging as a prominent feature of the disorder. Individuals with aniridia frequently exhibit auditory processing deficits despite normal audiograms. While previous studies have reported hypoplasia of the anterior commissure and corpus callosum in some of these individuals, the neurophysiological basis of these impairments remains unexplored. This study provides direct assessment of neural activity related to auditory processing in aniridia. Participants were presented with tones designed to elicit an auditory steady-state response (ASSR) at 22 Hz, 40 Hz, and 84 Hz, and infrequent broadband target tones to maintain attention during electroencephalography (EEG) recording. Persons with aniridia showed increased early cortical responses (P50 AEP) in response to all tones, and increased high-frequency oscillatory entrainment (84 Hz ASSR). In contrast, this group showed a decreased cortical integration response (P300 AEP to target tones) and reduced neural entrainment to cortical beta-band stimuli (22 Hz ASSR). Collectively, our results suggest that subcortical and early cortical auditory processing is augmented in aniridia, while functional cortical integration of auditory information is deficient in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia M Bobilev
- Department of Cellular Biology, Bio-Imaging Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.
| | - Matthew E Hudgens-Haney
- Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States; Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience, Bio-Imaging Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Jordan P Hamm
- Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience, Bio-Imaging Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States; Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Petit Science Center, Atlanta, GA, United States; Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Petit Science Center, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - William T Oliver
- Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience, Bio-Imaging Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Jennifer E McDowell
- Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience, Bio-Imaging Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - James D Lauderdale
- Department of Cellular Biology, Bio-Imaging Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Brett A Clementz
- Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience, Bio-Imaging Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
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18
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Microstructural differences in visual white matter tracts in people with aniridia. Neuroreport 2018; 29:1473-1478. [DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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19
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Epistasis between Pax6 Sey and genetic background reinforces the value of defined hybrid mouse models for therapeutic trials. Gene Ther 2018; 25:524-537. [PMID: 30258099 PMCID: PMC6335240 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-018-0043-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 09/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The small eye (Sey) mouse is a model of PAX6-aniridia syndrome (aniridia). Aniridia, a congenital ocular disorder caused by heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in PAX6, needs new vision saving therapies. However, high phenotypic variability in Sey mice makes development of such therapies challenging. We hypothesize that genetic background is a major source of undesirable variability in Sey mice. Here we performed a systematic quantitative examination of anatomical, histological, and molecular phenotypes on the inbred C57BL/6J, hybrid B6129F1, and inbred 129S1/SvImJ backgrounds. The Sey allele significantly reduced eye weight, corneal thickness, PAX6 mRNA and protein levels, and elevated blood glucose levels. Surprisingly, Pax6Sey/Sey brains had significantly elevated Pax6 transcripts compared to Pax6+/+ embryos. Genetic background significantly influenced 12/24 measurements, with inbred strains introducing severe ocular and blood sugar phenotypes not observed in hybrid mice. Additionally, significant interactions (epistasis) between Pax6 genotype and genetic background were detected in measurements of eye weight, cornea epithelial thickness and cell count, retinal mRNA levels, and blood glucose levels. The number of epistatic interactions was reduced in hybrid mice. In conclusion, severe phenotypes in the unnatural inbred strains reinforce the value of more naturalistic F1 hybrid mice for the development of therapies for aniridia and other disorders.
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The genetic architecture of aniridia and Gillespie syndrome. Hum Genet 2018; 138:881-898. [PMID: 30242502 PMCID: PMC6710220 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-018-1934-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Absence of part or all of the iris, aniridia, is a feature of several genetically distinct conditions. This review focuses on iris development and then the clinical features and molecular genetics of these iris malformations. Classical aniridia, a panocular eye malformation including foveal hypoplasia, is the archetypal phenotype associated with heterozygous PAX6 loss-of-function mutations. Since this was identified in 1991, many genetic mechanisms of PAX6 inactivation have been elucidated, the commonest alleles being intragenic mutations causing premature stop codons, followed by those causing C-terminal extensions. Rarely, aniridia cases are associated with FOXC1, PITX2 and/or their regulatory regions. Aniridia can also occur as a component of many severe global eye malformations. Gillespie syndrome—a triad of partial aniridia, non-progressive cerebellar ataxia and intellectual disability—is phenotypically and genotypically distinct from classical aniridia. The causative gene has recently been identified as ITPR1. The same characteristic Gillespie syndrome-like iris, with aplasia of the pupillary sphincter and a scalloped margin, is seen in ACTA2-related multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome. WAGR syndrome (Wilms tumour, aniridia, genitourinary anomalies and mental retardation/intellectual disability), is caused by contiguous deletion of PAX6 and WT1 on chromosome 11p. Deletions encompassing BDNF have been causally implicated in the obesity and intellectual disability associated with the condition. Lastly, we outline a genetic investigation strategy for aniridia in light of recent developments, suggesting an approach based principally on chromosomal array and gene panel testing. This strategy aims to test all known aniridia loci—including the rarer, life-limiting causes—whilst remaining simple and practical.
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21
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Vasilyeva TA, Voskresenskaya AA, Pozdeyeva NA, Marakhonov AV, Zinchenko RA. PAX6 Gene Characteristic and Causative Role of PAX6 Mutations in Inherited Eye Pathologies. RUSS J GENET+ 2018. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795418090156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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22
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EFhd2/Swiprosin-1 is a common genetic determinator for sensation-seeking/low anxiety and alcohol addiction. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:1303-1319. [PMID: 28397836 PMCID: PMC5984092 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In many societies, the majority of adults regularly consume alcohol. However, only a small proportion develops alcohol addiction. Individuals at risk often show a high sensation-seeking/low-anxiety behavioural phenotype. Here we asked which role EF hand domain containing 2 (EFhd2; Swiprosin-1) plays in the control of alcohol addiction-associated behaviours. EFhd2 knockout (KO) mice drink more alcohol than controls and spontaneously escalate their consumption. This coincided with a sensation-seeking and low-anxiety phenotype. A reversal of the behavioural phenotype with β-carboline, an anxiogenic inverse benzodiazepine receptor agonist, normalized alcohol preference in EFhd2 KO mice, demonstrating an EFhd2-driven relationship between personality traits and alcohol preference. These findings were confirmed in a human sample where we observed a positive association of the EFhd2 single-nucleotide polymorphism rs112146896 with lifetime drinking and a negative association with anxiety in healthy adolescents. The lack of EFhd2 reduced extracellular dopamine levels in the brain, but enhanced responses to alcohol. In confirmation, gene expression analysis revealed reduced tyrosine hydroxylase expression and the regulation of genes involved in cortex development, Eomes and Pax6, in EFhd2 KO cortices. These findings were corroborated in Xenopus tadpoles by EFhd2 knockdown. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in mice showed that a lack of EFhd2 reduces cortical volume in adults. Moreover, human MRI confirmed the negative association between lifetime alcohol drinking and superior frontal gyrus volume. We propose that EFhd2 is a conserved resilience factor against alcohol consumption and its escalation, working through Pax6/Eomes. Reduced EFhd2 function induces high-risk personality traits of sensation-seeking/low anxiety associated with enhanced alcohol consumption, which may be related to cortex function.
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Liu C, Sun R, Huang J, Zhang D, Huang D, Qi W, Wang S, Xie F, Shen Y, Shen C. The BAF45D Protein Is Preferentially Expressed in Adult Neurogenic Zones and in Neurons and May Be Required for Retinoid Acid Induced PAX6 Expression. Front Neuroanat 2017; 11:94. [PMID: 29163067 PMCID: PMC5681484 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2017.00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult neurogenesis is important for the development of regenerative therapies for human diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) through the recruitment of adult neural stem cells (NSCs). NSCs are characterized by the capacity to generate neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. To identify key factors involved in manipulating the adult NSC neurogenic fate thus has crucial implications for the clinical application. Here, we report that BAF45D is expressed in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus, the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricle, and the central canal (CC) of the adult spinal cord. Coexpression of BAF45D with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a radial glial like cell marker protein, was identified in the SGZ, the SVZ and the adult spinal cord CC. Quantitative analysis data indicate that BAF45D is preferentially expressed in the neurogenic zone of the LV and the neurons of the adult CNS. Furthermore, during the neuroectoderm differentiation of H9 cells, BAF45D is required for the expression of PAX6, a neuroectoderm determinant that is also known to regulate the self-renewal and neuronal fate specification of adult neural stem/progenitor cells. Together, our results may shed new light on the expression of BAF45D in the adult neurogenic zones and the contribution of BAF45D to early neural development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Institute of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ruyu Sun
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Institute of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Dijuan Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Institute of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Dake Huang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Weiqin Qi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shenghua Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Institute of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Fenfen Xie
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Institute of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuxian Shen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Cailiang Shen
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Aniridia is a rare and panocular disorder affecting most of the ocular structures which may have significant impact on vision. The purpose of this review is to describe the clinical features, genetics, and therapeutic options for this disease and to provide an update of current knowledge and latest research findings. RECENT FINDINGS Aside from the ocular features, a variety of associated systemic abnormalities, including hormonal, metabolic, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and neurologic pathologies have been reported in children with aniridia. Although mutations in PAX6 are a major cause of aniridia, genetic defects in nearby genes, such as TRIM44 or ELP4, have also been reported to cause aniridia. Recent improvement in genetic testing technique will help more rapid and precise diagnosis for aniridia. A promising therapeutic approach called nonsense suppression therapy has been introduced and successfully used in an animal model. SUMMARY Aniridia is a challenging disease. The progressive nature of this condition and its potential complications require continuous and life-long ophthalmologic care. Genetic diagnosis for aniridia is important for establishing definitive molecular characterization as well as identifying individuals at high risk for Wilms tumor. Recent advancement in understanding the genetic pathogenesis of this disease offers promise for the approaches to treatment.
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Vasilyeva TA, Voskresenskaya AA, Käsmann-Kellner B, Khlebnikova OV, Pozdeyeva NA, Bayazutdinova GM, Kutsev SI, Ginter EK, Semina EV, Marakhonov AV, Zinchenko RA. Molecular analysis of patients with aniridia in Russian Federation broadens the spectrum of PAX6 mutations. Clin Genet 2017; 92:639-644. [PMID: 28321846 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Congenital aniridia is a severe autosomal dominant congenital panocular disorder, mainly associated with pathogenic variants in the PAX6 gene. The objective of the study was to investigate the mutational and clinical spectra of congenital aniridia in a cohort of 117 patients from Russia. Each patient underwent detailed ophthalmological examination. From 91 unrelated families, 110 patients were diagnosed with congenital aniridia and 7 with WAGR syndrome (Wilms tumor, Aniridia, Genitourinary anomalies, and mental Retardation syndrome). The clinical presentation in aniridia patients varied from the complete bilateral absence of the iris (75.5%) to partial aniridia or iris hypoplasia (24.5%). Additional ocular abnormalities were consistent with previous reports. In our cohort, we saw a previously not described high percentage of patients (45%) who showed non-ocular phenotypes. Prevalence of deletions coherent with WAGR syndrome appeared to be 19.4% out of sporadic patients. Among the other aniridia cases, PAX6 deletions were identified in 18 probands, and small intragenic changes were detected in 58 probands with 27 of these mutations being novel and 21 previously reported. In 3 families mosaic mutation was transmitted from a subtly affected parent. Therefore, PAX6 mutations explained 96.7% of aniridia phenotypes in this study with only 3 of 91 probands lacking pathogenic variants in the gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Vasilyeva
- Federal State Budgetary Institution 'Research Center for Medical Genetics', Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - A A Voskresenskaya
- Department of Ambulant Surgery and Conservative Treatment, Cheboksary Branch of S. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery Federal State Institution, Cheboksary, Russian Federation
| | - B Käsmann-Kellner
- German Aniridia Center at the Section of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Orthoptics, Low Vision & Neuroophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - O V Khlebnikova
- Federal State Budgetary Institution 'Research Center for Medical Genetics', Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - N A Pozdeyeva
- Department of Ambulant Surgery and Conservative Treatment, Cheboksary Branch of S. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery Federal State Institution, Cheboksary, Russian Federation
| | - G M Bayazutdinova
- Federal State Budgetary Institution 'Research Center for Medical Genetics', Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - S I Kutsev
- Federal State Budgetary Institution 'Research Center for Medical Genetics', Moscow, Russian Federation.,Department of Molecular and Cell Genetics, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - E K Ginter
- Federal State Budgetary Institution 'Research Center for Medical Genetics', Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - E V Semina
- Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - A V Marakhonov
- Federal State Budgetary Institution 'Research Center for Medical Genetics', Moscow, Russian Federation.,Laboratory of Functional Analysis of the Genome, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russian Federation
| | - R A Zinchenko
- Federal State Budgetary Institution 'Research Center for Medical Genetics', Moscow, Russian Federation.,Department of Molecular and Cell Genetics, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
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Cox MA, Davis M, Voin V, Shoja M, Oskouian RJ, Loukas M, Tubbs RS. Pineal Gland Agenesis: Review and Case Illustration. Cureus 2017; 9:e1314. [PMID: 28690948 PMCID: PMC5498116 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.1314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Agenesis of the pineal gland has rarely been reported in the medical literature. Herein, we report a cadaveric specimen found to have agenesis of the pineal gland. The remaining gross examination of the brain was normal. A review of the literature was performed on this unusual finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus A Cox
- Medical Education, Saint Michael's Medical Center
| | - Michele Davis
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Vlad Voin
- Research Fellow, Seattle Science Foundation
| | | | | | - Marios Loukas
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies
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27
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Grant MK, Bobilev AM, Pierce JE, DeWitte J, Lauderdale JD. Structural brain abnormalities in 12 persons with aniridia. F1000Res 2017; 6:255. [PMID: 29034075 PMCID: PMC5615777 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.11063.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Aniridia is a disorder predominately caused by heterozygous loss-of-function mutations of the
PAX6 gene, which is a transcriptional regulator necessary for normal eye and brain development. The ocular abnormalities of aniridia have been well characterized, but mounting evidence has implicated brain-related phenotypes as a prominent feature of this disorder as well. Investigations using neuroimaging in aniridia patients have shown reductions in discrete brain structures and changes in global grey and white matter. However, limited sample sizes and substantive heterogeneity of structural phenotypes in the brain remain a challenge.
Methods: Here, we examined brain structure in a new population sample in an effort to add to the collective understanding of anatomical abnormalities in aniridia. The current study used 3T magnetic resonance imaging to acquire high-resolution structural data in 12 persons with aniridia and 12 healthy demographically matched comparison subjects.
Results: We examined five major structures: the anterior commissure, the posterior commissure, the pineal gland, the corpus callosum, and the optic chiasm. The most consistent reductions were found in the anterior commissure and the pineal gland; however, abnormalities in all of the other structures examined were present in at least one individual.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that the anatomical abnormalities in aniridia are variable and largely individual-specific. These findings suggest that future studies investigate this heterogeneity further, and that normal population variation should be considered when evaluating structural abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison K Grant
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Anastasia M Bobilev
- Neuroscience Division of the Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Jordan E Pierce
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Jon DeWitte
- Athens Radiology Associates, Athens, GA, 30604, USA
| | - James D Lauderdale
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.,Neuroscience Division of the Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
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28
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Yoshizaki K, Furuse T, Kimura R, Tucci V, Kaneda H, Wakana S, Osumi N. Paternal Aging Affects Behavior in Pax6 Mutant Mice: A Gene/Environment Interaction in Understanding Neurodevelopmental Disorders. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0166665. [PMID: 27855195 PMCID: PMC5113965 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have increased over the last few decades. These neurodevelopmental disorders are characterized by a complex etiology, which involves multiple genes and gene-environmental interactions. Various genes that control specific properties of neural development exert pivotal roles in the occurrence and severity of phenotypes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Moreover, paternal aging has been reported as one of the factors that contribute to the risk of ASD and ADHD. Here we report, for the first time, that paternal aging has profound effects on the onset of behavioral abnormalities in mice carrying a mutation of Pax6, a gene with neurodevelopmental regulatory functions. We adopted an in vitro fertilization approach to restrict the influence of additional factors. Comprehensive behavioral analyses were performed in Sey/+ mice (i.e., Pax6 mutant heterozygotes) born from in vitro fertilization of sperm taken from young or aged Sey/+ fathers. No body weight changes were found in the four groups, i.e., Sey/+ and wild type (WT) mice born to young or aged father. However, we found important differences in maternal separation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations of Sey/+ mice born from young father and in the level of hyperactivity of Sey/+ mice born from aged fathers in the open-field test, respectively, compared to WT littermates. Phenotypes of anxiety were observed in both genotypes born from aged fathers compared with those born from young fathers. No significant difference was found in social behavior and sensorimotor gating among the four groups. These results indicate that mice with a single genetic risk factor can develop different phenotypes depending on the paternal age. Our study advocates for serious considerations on the role of paternal aging in breeding strategies for animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaichi Yoshizaki
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Tamio Furuse
- Technology and Development Team for Mouse Phenotype Analysis, The Japan Mouse Clinic, RIKEN BRC, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Kimura
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Valter Tucci
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies. Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Hideki Kaneda
- Technology and Development Team for Mouse Phenotype Analysis, The Japan Mouse Clinic, RIKEN BRC, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shigeharu Wakana
- Technology and Development Team for Mouse Phenotype Analysis, The Japan Mouse Clinic, RIKEN BRC, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Noriko Osumi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
- * E-mail:
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