Investigation of patients with mental retardation and dysmorphic features using comparative genomic hybridization and subtelomeric multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification

Clinical Implications of Chromosome 16 Copy Number Variation

Chromosome 16 is one of the gene-rich chromosomes; however, approximately 10% of the chromosome 16 sequence is composed of segmental copies, which renders this chromosome instable and predisposes it to rearrangements via frequent nonallelic homologous recombination. Microarray technologies have enabled the analysis of copy number variations (CNV), which may be associated with the risk of developing complex diseases. Through comparative genomic hybridisation in 1,298 patients, we detected 18 cases with chromosome 16 CNV. We identified 2recurrent CNV regions, including 1 at 16p13.11 in 4 patients and another at 16p11.2 in 7 patients. We also detected atypical chromosome 16 rearrangements in 7 patients. Furthermore, we noted an increased frequency of co-occurring genomic changes, supporting the two-hit hypothesis to explain the phenotypic variability in the clinical presentation of CNV syndromes. Our findings can contribute to the creation of a chromosome 16 disease map based on regions that may be associated with disease development.

Refining the Phenotype of Recurrent Rearrangements of Chromosome 16

Chromosome 16 is one of the most gene-rich chromosomes of our genome, and 10% of its sequence consists of segmental duplications, which give instability and predisposition to rearrangement by the recurrent mechanism of non-allelic homologous recombination. Microarray technologies have allowed for the analysis of copy number variations (CNVs) that can contribute to the risk of developing complex diseases. By array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) screening of 1476 patients, we detected 27 cases with CNVs on chromosome 16. We identified four smallest regions of overlapping (SROs): one at 16p13.11 was found in seven patients; one at 16p12.2 was found in four patients; two close SROs at 16p11.2 were found in twelve patients; finally, six patients were found with atypical rearrangements. Although phenotypic variability was observed, we identified a male bias for Childhood Apraxia of Speech associated to 16p11.2 microdeletions. We also reported an elevated frequency of second-site genomic alterations, supporting the model of the second hit to explain the clinical variability associated with CNV syndromes. Our goal was to contribute to the building of a chromosome 16 disease-map based on disease susceptibility regions. The role of the CNVs of chromosome 16 was increasingly made clear in the determination of developmental delay. We also found that in some cases a second-site CNV could explain the phenotypic heterogeneity by a simple additive effect or a pejorative synergistic effect.

How chromosomal deletions can unmask recessive mutations? Deletions in 10q11.2 associated with CHAT or SLC18A3 mutations lead to congenital myasthenic syndrome

A congenital myasthenia was suspected in two unrelated children with very similar phenotypes including several episodes of severe dyspnea. Both children had a 10q11.2 deletion revealed by Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms array or by Next Generation Sequencing analysis. The deletion was inherited from the healthy mother in the first case. These deletions unmasked a recessive mutation at the same locus in both cases, but in two different genes: CHAT and SLC18A3.

Triplication of 16p12.1p12.3 associated with developmental and growth delay and distinctive facial features

The 16p12 region is particularly prone to genomic disorders due to the large number of low copy repeats [Martin et al., 2004; Nature 432:988-994]. We report two unrelated patients with de novo triplication of 16p12.1p12.3 who had developmental delay and similar facial features. Patient 1 is a 4-year-old male with a congenital heart anomaly, bilateral cryptorchidism, chronic constipation, and developmental delay. Patient 2 is a 12-year-old female with prenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis, hepatobiliary disease, failure to thrive, and developmental delay. Distinctive facial features common to both patients include short palpebral fissures, bulbous nose, thin upper vermillion border, apparently lowset ears, and large ear lobes. We compare the clinical manifestations of our patients with a previously reported patient with triplication of 16p12.2.

Comparison of two subtelomeric assays for the screening of chromosomal rearrangements: analysis of 383 patients, literature review and further recommendations

Intellectual disability (ID) and global development delay (GDD) are caused by genetic factors such as subtelomeric rearrangements (SR) in 25 % of patients. There are several assays currently available to detect SR, but subtelomeric fluorescence in situ hybridisation (Subt-FISH) and subtelomeric multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (Subt-MLPA) have been the most frequently used. However, the diagnostic yield of each technique has not been compared. We reviewed the results of SR screening over a ten-year period in Chilean patients with ID/GDD using Subt-FISH and/or Subt-MLPA, compared the diagnostic yield of both tools and reviewed the corresponding literature. A total of 383 cases were included in this study, of which 53.8 % were males. The overall diagnostic yield was 8.9 % between both methods, but Subt-MLPA showed a higher performance than Subt-FISH (p = 0.002). A total of 4,181 patients with ID/GDD have been studied worldwide with Subt-MLPA and other subtelomeric assays, and 244 (5.84 %) had a pathogenic SR. It is estimated that Subt-MLPA may detect 92.6 % of the total cases with SR. The capacity of detecting tandem duplication and other critical regions, as well as the use of two MLPA kits, may explain the higher performance of this tool over Subt-FISH. Therefore, we recommend the use of this subtelomeric method as a cost-effective way to study ID/GDD patients.

Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification workflow for the detection of submicroscopic chromosomal abnormalities in patients with developmental delay/intellectual disability

Background

Array based comparative genomic hybridization (arrayCGH) has been increasingly used as the method of choice for diagnosis of patients with unexplained developmental delay/intellectual disability (DD/ID) but is not universally available for the high throughput use in routine practice. The next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques, emerging as a new tool in clinical diagnostics, are at present quite labour-intensive and expensive. Since multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) is relatively fast, easily interpreted and cost-effective, it is still a method of choice for screening large cohorts of patients with DD/ID.

Results

We prospectively studied a cohort of 150 patients with DD/ID with or without dysmorphic features or additional congenital abnormalities. We used two distinct MLPA kits, SALSA P036 and P070, for subtelomere screening and MLPA kit SALSA P245 for the 21 common microdeletion syndromes. Subtelomere analysis was performed by both kits in all patients. All imbalances were verified by follow-up MLPA kits. The MLPA analysis revealed chromosome aberrations in 21 (14%) cases: 11 subtelomeric rearrangements and 10 microdeletions.

Conclusions

We have presented the results of the investigation of patients with DD/ID obtained by using a combination of the MLPA sets for subtelomere aberrations and microdeletion syndromes followed by the confirmation of the aberrant results by the region-specific MLPA kits. The use of two subtelomeric kits per patient and investigation of all aberrations by follow-up sets has reduced the rate of false positive and negative results and improved the diagnostic yield. The relatively low cost, simplicity and reliability makes MLPA an effective first-tier cytogenetic diagnostic test for screening large cohorts of DD/ID patients.

Recurrent deletions and reciprocal duplications of 10q11.21q11.23 including CHAT and SLC18A3 are likely mediated by complex low-copy repeats

We report 24 unrelated individuals with deletions and 17 additional cases with duplications at 10q11.21q21.1 identified by chromosomal microarray analysis. The rearrangements range in size from 0.3 to 12 Mb. Nineteen of the deletions and eight duplications are flanked by large, directly oriented segmental duplications of >98% sequence identity, suggesting that nonallelic homologous recombination (NAHR) caused these genomic rearrangements. Nine individuals with deletions and five with duplications have additional copy number changes. Detailed clinical evaluation of 20 patients with deletions revealed variable clinical features, with developmental delay (DD) and/or intellectual disability (ID) as the only features common to a majority of individuals. We suggest that some of the other features present in more than one patient with deletion, including hypotonia, sleep apnea, chronic constipation, gastroesophageal and vesicoureteral refluxes, epilepsy, ataxia, dysphagia, nystagmus, and ptosis may result from deletion of the CHAT gene, encoding choline acetyltransferase, and the SLC18A3 gene, mapping in the first intron of CHAT and encoding vesicular acetylcholine transporter. The phenotypic diversity and presence of the deletion in apparently normal carrier parents suggest that subjects carrying 10q11.21q11.23 deletions may exhibit variable phenotypic expressivity and incomplete penetrance influenced by additional genetic and nongenetic modifiers.

Increased nuchal translucency with normal karyotype: a follow-up study of 100 cases supplemented with CGH and MLPA analyses

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether high-resolution comparative genomic hybridization (HR-CGH) and subtelomeric and syndrome-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) would detect minor chromosomal aberrations in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency thickness (NT) and normal karyotype on conventional karyotyping.

METHODS

Chorionic villus samples from 100 fetuses with NT > or = 99(th) percentile and normal G-banding analysis and MLPA for detection of aneuploidies for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y were included. Examinations were supplemented by HR-CGH and MLPA for syndromes and subtelomeric regions. Pregnancy outcome was followed up.

RESULTS

Among 80 liveborn children who were followed up, three (4%) had syndromes involving mental retardation, including a case of Sotos syndrome caused by a de novo mutation. 15% of fetuses were lost during pregnancy due to abnormalities and termination. The rate of adverse outcome overall was 18%. HR-CGH and MLPA did not detect any chromosomal aberrations associated with the syndromes.

CONCLUSION

The rate of adverse outcome was similar to levels recorded in the literature. Using CGH and MLPA did not increase the detection rate of genetic disease, which supports the current approach of repeated ultrasound examinations in these high-risk pregnancies.

Recurrent reciprocal deletions and duplications of 16p13.11: the deletion is a risk factor for MR/MCA while the duplication may be a rare benign variant

BACKGROUND

Genomic disorders are often caused by non-allelic homologous recombination between segmental duplications. Chromosome 16 is especially rich in a chromosome-specific low copy repeat, termed LCR16.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) array comparative genome hybridisation (CGH) screen of 1027 patients with mental retardation and/or multiple congenital anomalies (MR/MCA) was performed. The BAC array CGH screen identified five patients with deletions and five with apparently reciprocal duplications of 16p13 covering 1.65 Mb, including 15 RefSeq genes. In addition, three atypical rearrangements overlapping or flanking this region were found. Fine mapping by high-resolution oligonucleotide arrays suggests that these deletions and duplications result from non-allelic homologous recombination (NAHR) between distinct LCR16 subunits with >99% sequence identity. Deletions and duplications were either de novo or inherited from unaffected parents. To determine whether these imbalances are associated with the MR/MCA phenotype or whether they might be benign variants, a population of 2014 normal controls was screened. The absence of deletions in the control population showed that 16p13.11 deletions are significantly associated with MR/MCA (p = 0.0048). Despite phenotypic variability, common features were identified: three patients with deletions presented with MR, microcephaly and epilepsy (two of these had also short stature), and two other deletion carriers ascertained prenatally presented with cleft lip and midline defects. In contrast to its previous association with autism, the duplication seems to be a common variant in the population (5/1682, 0.29%).

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that deletions inherited from clinically normal parents are likely to be causal for the patients' phenotype whereas the role of duplications (de novo or inherited) in the phenotype remains uncertain. This difference in knowledge regarding the clinical relevance of the deletion and the duplication causes a paradigm shift in (cyto)genetic counselling.

Probe-specific mixed-model approach to detect copy number differences using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA)

Background

MLPA method is a potentially useful semi-quantitative method to detect copy number alterations in targeted regions. In this paper, we propose a method for the normalization procedure based on a non-linear mixed-model, as well as a new approach for determining the statistical significance of altered probes based on linear mixed-model. This method establishes a threshold by using different tolerance intervals that accommodates the specific random error variability observed in each test sample.

Results

Through simulation studies we have shown that our proposed method outperforms two existing methods that are based on simple threshold rules or iterative regression. We have illustrated the method using a controlled MLPA assay in which targeted regions are variable in copy number in individuals suffering from different disorders such as Prader-Willi, DiGeorge or Autism showing the best performace.

Conclusion

Using the proposed mixed-model, we are able to determine thresholds to decide whether a region is altered. These threholds are specific for each individual, incorporating experimental variability, resulting in improved sensitivity and specificity as the examples with real data have revealed.

Prospective screening of patients with unexplained mental retardation using subtelomeric MLPA strongly increases the detection rate of cryptic unbalanced chromosomal rearrangements

This study was designed to increase the diagnostic detection rate for subtelomeric unbalanced chromosomal rearrangements (UCRs) that are believed to cause 3-5% of all cases of mental retardation (MR), but often remain undetected by routine karyotyping because of limited resolution in light microscopy. Increased detection of such cryptic UCRs may be achieved by CGH- or SNP-array technology adapted for genome wide screening but these techniques are labor-intensive and expensive. We have implemented subtelomeric Multiplex Ligation-dependant Probe Amplification (MLPA), a relatively low cost and technically uncomplicated molecular approach, as a high throughput prospective screening tool for UCRs in MR patients. We prospectively studied a cohort of 466 MR patients and detected 53 aberrant MLPA signals. After exclusion of false-positives, potential familial polymorphisms and of non-cryptic UCRs also found in routine chromosome analysis, 18 cases or 3.9% of total could be confirmed as true cryptic subtelomeric UCRs. These were 6 terminal deletions, 8 unbalanced translocations, 3 Prader-Willi deletions and 1 subtelomeric interstitial deletion. This result increases our laboratory's detection rate in this patient cohort from 8.3% (without MLPA) to 12.2% (with MLPA), representing a 47% improvement. This study demonstrates that when applying MLPA in a routine cytogenetic diagnostic setting, a major increase of the diagnostic yield can be achieved.

Array CGH identifies reciprocal 16p13.1 duplications and deletions that predispose to autism and/or mental retardation

Autism and mental retardation (MR) are often associated, suggesting that these conditions are etiologically related. Recently, array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) has identified submicroscopic deletions and duplications as a common cause of MR, prompting us to search for such genomic imbalances in autism. Here we describe a 1.5-Mb duplication on chromosome 16p13.1 that was found by high-resolution array CGH in four severe autistic male patients from three unrelated families. The same duplication was identified in several variably affected and unaffected relatives. A deletion of the same interval was detected in three unrelated patients with MR and other clinical abnormalities. In one patient we revealed a further rearrangement of the 16p13 imbalance that was not present in his unaffected mother. Duplications and deletions of this 1.5-Mb interval have not been described as copy number variants in the Database of Genomic Variants and have not been identified in >600 individuals from other cohorts examined by high-resolution array CGH in our laboratory. Thus we conclude that these aberrations represent recurrent genomic imbalances which predispose to autism and/or MR.

Transmitted cytogenetic abnormalities in patients with mental retardation: Pathogenic or normal variants?

Knowing the origin of cytogenetic abnormalities detected in individuals with mental retardation and dysmorphic features is essential to genetic counselling of affected families. To illustrate this, we report on six families with transmitted cytogenetic abnormalities and discuss the genotype-phenotype correlations, including the possibility of the abnormalities being normal genomic variants. The abnormalities were detected using metaphase HR-CGH; their size was estimated to range from 1.6 to 7.5 Mb using tiling path array-CGH and real-time PCR. The abnormalities were transmitted through two to four generations and included interstitial deletions of 1p31.3-p32.1, 2q13, 10q11.21-q11.23, and 13q31.1; a duplication of 1p34.1-p34.2; and in one family both a deletion of 18q21.1 and a duplication of 4q35.1-q35.2. The probands were mentally retarded and had nonspecific dysmorphic features except for one patient with the Bohring-Opitz syndrome. We considered the abnormalities in two families to be clinically significant: In one family, the proband's brain abnormality was comparable to previously reported abnormalities in individuals with a similar duplication of 1p31-p32. Congenital heart disease was previously mapped to the chromosomal region of 18q that was affected in the proband of another family. The carrier parents in both families had mild clinical features. In two families the abnormalities were considered as coincidental findings, and in two further families the abnormalities were insufficient to explain the phenotypes of the probands but possibly were related to a milder phenotype in other family members. These cases illustrate the need for careful assessment of the extended family in order to interpret the phenotypic consequences of abnormalities identified using array-CGH.

Detection of subtelomere imbalance using MLPA: validation, development of an analysis protocol, and application in a diagnostic centre

BACKGROUND

Commercial MLPA kits (MRC-Holland) are available for detecting imbalance at the subtelomere regions of chromosomes; each kit consists of one probe for each subtelomere.

METHODS

For validation of the kits, 208 patients were tested, of which 128 were known to be abnormal, corresponding to 8528 genomic regions overall. Validation samples included those with trisomy 13, 18 and 21, microscopically visible terminal deletions and duplications, sex chromosome abnormalities and submicroscopic abnormalities identified by multiprobe FISH. A robust and sensitive analysis system was developed to allow accurate interpretation of single probe results, which is essential as breakpoints may occur between MLPA probes.

RESULTS

The validation results showed that MLPA is a highly efficient technique for medium-throughput screening for subtelomere imbalance, with 95% confidence intervals for positive and negative predictive accuracies of 0.951-0.996 and 0.9996-1 respectively. A diagnostic testing strategy was established for subtelomere MLPA and any subsequent follow-up tests that may be required. The efficacy of this approach was demonstrated during 15 months of diagnostic testing when 455 patients were tested and 27 (5.9%) abnormal cases were detected.

CONCLUSION

The development of a robust, medium-throughput analysis system for the interpretation of results from subtelomere assays will be of benefit to other Centres wishing to implement such an MLPA-based service.

Smith–Magenis syndrome and moyamoya disease in a patient with del(17)(p11.2p13.1)

Chromosomal rearrangements causing microdeletions and microduplications are a major cause of congenital malformation and mental retardation. Because they are not visible by routine chromosome analysis, high resolution whole-genome technologies are required for the detection and diagnosis of small chromosomal abnormalities. Recently, array-comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) have been useful tools for the identification and mapping of deletions and duplications at higher resolution and throughput. Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a multiple congenital anomalies/mental retardation syndrome caused by deletion or mutation of the retinoic acid induced 1 (RAI1) gene and is often associated with a chromosome 17p11.2 deletion. We report here on the clinical and molecular analysis of a 10-year-old girl with SMS and moyamoya disease (occlusion of the circle of Willis). We have employed a combination of aCGH, FISH, and MLPA to characterize an approximately 6.3 Mb deletion spanning chromosome region 17p11.2-p13.1 in this patient, with the proximal breakpoint within the RAI1 gene. Further, investigation of the genomic architecture at the breakpoint intervals of this large deletion documented the presence of palindromic repeat elements that could potentially form recombination substrates leading to unequal crossover.

Medical applications of array CGH and the transformation of clinical cytogenetics

Microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) merges molecular diagnostics with traditional chromosome analysis and is transforming the field of cytogenetics. Prospective studies of individuals with developmental delay and dysmorphic features have demonstrated that array CGH has the ability to detect any genomic imbalance including deletions, duplications, aneuploidies and amplifications. Detection rates for chromosome abnormalities with array CGH range from 5-17% in individuals with normal results from prior routine cytogenetic testing. In addition, copy number variants (CNVs) were identified in all studies. These CNVs may include large-scale variation and can confound the diagnostic interpretations. Although cytogeneticists will require additional training and laboratories must become appropriately equipped, array CGH holds the promise of being the initial diagnostic tool in the identification of visible and submicroscopic chromosome abnormalities in mental retardation and other developmental disabilities.

Homozygosity mapping in consanguineous families reveals extreme heterogeneity of non-syndromic autosomal recessive mental retardation and identifies 8 novel gene loci

Autosomal recessive gene defects are arguably the most important, but least studied genetic causes of severe cognitive dysfunction. Homozygosity mapping in 78 consanguineous Iranian families with nonsyndromic autosomal recessive mental retardation (NS-ARMR) has enabled us to determine the chromosomal localization of at least 8 novel gene loci for this condition. Our data suggest that in the Iranian population NS-ARMR is very heterogeneous, and they argue against the existence of frequent gene defects that account for more than a few percent of the cases.

MLPA analysis for a panel of syndromes with mental retardation reveals imbalances in 5.8% of patients with mental retardation and dysmorphic features, including duplications of the Sotos syndrome and Williams-Beuren syndrome regions

MLPA analysis for a panel of syndromes with mental retardation (MRS-MLPA) was used for investigation of 258 mentally retarded and dysmorphic patients with normal conventional karyotypes (P064 probe set, MRC-Holland, for detection of (micro)deletions associated with 1p36-deletion, Sotos, Williams-Beuren, Prader-Willi, Angelman, Miller-Dieker, Smith-Magenis, and 22q11-deletion syndromes). Patients were initially referred for HR-CGH analysis and MRS-MLPA was performed retrospectively. MRS-MLPA analysis revealed imbalances in 15/258 patients (5.8%). Ten deletions were identified, including deletions of 1p36, 5q35 (Sotos syndrome), 7q11 (Williams-Beuren syndrome), 17p11 (Smith-Magenis syndrome), 15q11 (Angelman syndrome) and 22q11. Duplications were detected in 5q35, 7q11, 17p13, 17p11 and 22q11. We reviewed another 170 patients referred specifically for MRS-MLPA analysis. Eighty of these patients were referred with a clinical suspicion of a specific syndrome, which was confirmed in 17 patients (21.3%). The remaining 90 patients were referred because of mental retardation and dysmorphism but without suspicion of a specific syndrome. Seven imbalances, including four duplications, were detected in these 90 patients (7.8%). Clinical data regarding three patients investigated by MRS-MLPA are presented. The imbalances carried by these patients include a small interstitial 1p36 deletion, a small duplication of 5q35 (encompassing the NSD1 gene, which is deleted/mutated in Sotos syndrome) and a duplication of 7q11 (reciprocal of the Williams-Beuren syndrome deletion), respectively. MRS-MLPA allows testing for a number of micro-deletions/-duplications in a single experiment, thereby filling a gap between array techniques and single locus techniques. MRS-MLPA combined with Subtelomeric MLPA represents an attractive first test in a clinical algorithm for mental retardation.