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van der Laan L, Lauffer P, Rooney K, Silva A, Haghshenas S, Relator R, Levy MA, Trajkova S, Huisman SA, Bijlsma EK, Kleefstra T, van Bon BW, Baysal Ö, Zweier C, Palomares-Bralo M, Fischer J, Szakszon K, Faivre L, Piton A, Mesman S, Hochstenbach R, Elting MW, van Hagen JM, Plomp AS, Mannens MMAM, Alders M, van Haelst MM, Ferrero GB, Brusco A, Henneman P, Sweetser DA, Sadikovic B, Vitobello A, Menke LA. DNA methylation episignature and comparative epigenomic profiling for Pitt-Hopkins syndrome caused by TCF4 variants. HGG ADVANCES 2024; 5:100289. [PMID: 38571311 PMCID: PMC11087720 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2024.100289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by pathogenic variants in TCF4, leading to intellectual disability, specific morphological features, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Epigenetic dysregulation has been implicated in PTHS, prompting the investigation of a DNA methylation (DNAm) "episignature" specific to PTHS for diagnostic purposes and variant reclassification and functional insights into the molecular pathophysiology of this disorder. A cohort of 67 individuals with genetically confirmed PTHS and three individuals with intellectual disability and a variant of uncertain significance (VUS) in TCF4 were studied. The DNAm episignature was developed with an Infinium Methylation EPIC BeadChip array analysis using peripheral blood cells. Support vector machine (SVM) modeling and clustering methods were employed to generate a DNAm classifier for PTHS. Validation was extended to an additional cohort of 11 individuals with PTHS. The episignature was assessed in relation to other neurodevelopmental disorders and its specificity was examined. A specific DNAm episignature for PTHS was established. The classifier exhibited high sensitivity for TCF4 haploinsufficiency and missense variants in the basic-helix-loop-helix domain. Notably, seven individuals with TCF4 variants exhibited negative episignatures, suggesting complexities related to mosaicism, genetic factors, and environmental influences. The episignature displayed degrees of overlap with other related disorders and biological pathways. This study defines a DNAm episignature for TCF4-related PTHS, enabling improved diagnostic accuracy and VUS reclassification. The finding that some cases scored negatively underscores the potential for multiple or nested episignatures and emphasizes the need for continued investigation to enhance specificity and coverage across PTHS-related variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liselot van der Laan
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction & Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Peter Lauffer
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction & Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Kathleen Rooney
- Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Science Centre, London, ON, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ananília Silva
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Sadegheh Haghshenas
- Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Science Centre, London, ON, Canada
| | - Raissa Relator
- Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Science Centre, London, ON, Canada
| | - Michael A Levy
- Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Science Centre, London, ON, Canada
| | - Slavica Trajkova
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Sylvia A Huisman
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Emma Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Zodiak, Prinsenstichting, Purmerend, the Netherlands
| | - Emilia K Bijlsma
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Tjitske Kleefstra
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Bregje W van Bon
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Özlem Baysal
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Christiane Zweier
- Department of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany; Department of Human Genetics, University of Bern, Inselspital Universitätsspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - María Palomares-Bralo
- Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics (INGEMM), La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jan Fischer
- Institute for Clinical Genetics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at the Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katalin Szakszon
- Institute of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Laurence Faivre
- UFR Des Sciences de Santé, INSERM-Université de Bourgogne UMR1231 GAD «Génétique des Anomalies du Développement», FHUTRANSLAD, Dijon, France; CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Centre de Génétique, Centre de Référence Maladies Rares «Anomalies du Développement et Syndromes Malformatifs», FHU-TRANSLDAD, Dijon, France
| | - Amélie Piton
- Genetic Diagnosis Laboratories, Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg 67000, France
| | - Simone Mesman
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, FNWI, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ron Hochstenbach
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction & Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mariet W Elting
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction & Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Johanna M van Hagen
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction & Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Astrid S Plomp
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction & Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marcel M A M Mannens
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction & Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mariëlle Alders
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction & Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mieke M van Haelst
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction & Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Giovanni B Ferrero
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Alfredo Brusco
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Peter Henneman
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction & Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - David A Sweetser
- Division of Medical Genetics and Metabolism and Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General for Children, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bekim Sadikovic
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction & Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Science Centre, London, ON, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Antonio Vitobello
- Unité Fonctionnelle Innovation en Diagnostic Génomique des Maladies Rares, FHU-TRANSLAD, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Leonie A Menke
- Amsterdam Reproduction & Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Emma Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Neuroscience - Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Hassona Y, Alqaisi D, Alkilani A, AbuHijleh I. Expanding the phenotype in Pitt-Hopkins syndrome; description of new oral finding and dental management considerations. BMC Oral Health 2024; 24:597. [PMID: 38778377 PMCID: PMC11112874 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04296-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder with physical, cognitive, and behavioral characteristics that is caused by heterozygous mutations in the TCF4 gene. Patients with PTHS might present a unique challenge for oral healthcare professionals because of the associated comorbidities. CASE REPORT Here we describe a new case of PTHS in a 13-year-old girl with particular emphasis on oro-dental findings and oral healthcare management. Observed oro-dental findings in our case included shallow palate, absence of lingual frenum, gingival enlargement, thick lips and relative microdontia. The patient was unable to tolerate dental care under local anesthesia. Therefore, comprehensive dental treatment was performed under general anesthesia after a careful pre-anesthetic cardio-respiratory, neurological, and hematological evaluation. The patient was closely monitored intra-operatively for breathing rhythm, O2 saturation, and signs of respiratory distress. The patient was observed for 24 h post-op for respiratory distress and was discharged then uneventfully. CONCLUSION Dental treatment under general anesthesia in these patients might be complicated by the abnormal breathing rhythm, and close monitoring and follow up for signs of respiratory distress after general anesthesia is necessary. Recognition of oral and dental findings might help to expand the phenotype and better characterize rare syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazan Hassona
- Faculty of Dentistry, Centre for Oral Diseases Studies, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, As-Salt, Jordan.
- School of Dentistry, The University of Jordan, As-Salt, Jordan.
| | - Dua'a Alqaisi
- School of Dentistry, The University of Jordan, As-Salt, Jordan
| | - Asma Alkilani
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, As-Salt, Jordan
| | - Iyas AbuHijleh
- School of Dentistry, The University of Jordan, As-Salt, Jordan
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Telenga M, Rozensztrauch A, Giżewska-Kacprzak K, Śmigiel R. From Genotype to Phenotype of Polish Patients with Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome concerning the Quality of Life and Family Functioning. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2605. [PMID: 38731134 PMCID: PMC11084255 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13092605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a rare genetic disorder affecting psychomotor, social, and intellectual development, caused by a mutation in the TCF4 gene. The study aims to gather the phenotype and genotype data of PTHS patients from Poland and to assess the quality of life (QoL) and the impact of the disorders on the family. Methods: Eight families with PTHS participated in the study. To obtain data, the following standardized questionnaires were used: Questionnaire on Clinical Problems (QCP), the PedsQL™ Family Impact Module, and the QL-Disability Questionnaire. Additionally, a retrospective analysis of clinical examination, genetic consult, medical history, and genotype of each individual was performed. Results: All of the examined children exhibited a mutation in the TCF4 gene and typical features of PTHS. The most prevalent clinical symptoms in the study group included typical PTHS appearance, intellectual disability (n = 5; as the rest of the patients were too young to be assessed), abnormal speech development (n = 8), reduced pain response (n = 7), constipation (n = 7), drooling (n = 7), cold extremities (n = 7), and disturbances in sensory integration processes (n = 7). The QL-Disability Questionnaire revealed a total QoL score of 67.7/100 for children with PTHS, while the QoL for their families in the PedsQL Family Impact Module was 53.82/100. The highest-rated domain was cognitive functioning (Median (Me) = 67.50; Standard Deviation (SD) = 21.95), while the lowest was daily activities (Me = 25.00; SD = 29.86). Conclusions: The study allowed the collection of data on the phenotype and genotype of children with PTHS living in Poland. Overall, our study showed that the QoL of children with PTHS is impaired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlena Telenga
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of Wroclaw, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
- Department of Family and Pediatric Nursing, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Anna Rozensztrauch
- Department of Family and Pediatric Nursing, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Kaja Giżewska-Kacprzak
- Department of Pediatric and Oncological Surgery, Urology and Hand Surgery, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-204 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Robert Śmigiel
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of Wroclaw, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
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Comisi F, Esposito E, Marras M, Soddu C, Savasta S. Unusual Inconsolable Crying: An Insight, Case Report, and Review of the Literature on the Pitt-Hopkins Gastrointestinal Phenotype. Cureus 2023; 15:e43781. [PMID: 37731434 PMCID: PMC10507423 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a rare, neurodevelopmental genetic disorder caused by mutations in the TCF4 gene. This gene encodes a ubiquitous, class I, basic helix-loop-helix factor, which is implicated in various developmental and regulatory processes. Predominant clinical manifestations of PTHS include facial dysmorphisms, intellectual disability, absence of expressive language, epilepsy, as well as visual and musculoskeletal impairments. Gastrointestinal (GI) complications, such as chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, gastroparesis with delayed bowel transit, chronic constipation culminating in failure to thrive, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), are also prevalent in these patients. The early identification of pain etiology in PTHS patients poses a significant clinical challenge. This report presents two cases of PTHS patients suffering from gastrointestinal dysmotility, evaluated at our Pediatrics Clinic at the "Microcitemico" Hospital. A review of existing literature was conducted via the PubMed database to elucidate the current understanding of the GI phenotype in PTHS. Twenty articles were deemed most relevant and selected for this purpose. In both patients, severe constipation and abdominal distension resulted in persistent agitation and inconsolable crying. These distress symptoms were completely ameliorated following prompt pharmacological intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Esposito
- Pediatrics Department, Ospedale Microcitemico, Cagliari, ITA
| | | | | | - Salvatore Savasta
- Pediatric and Rare Diseases Clinic, Ospedale Microcitemico, Cagliari, ITA
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