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Moschella A, Capra AP, Corica D, Pepe G, Di Tommaso S, Sallicandro E, Wasniewska MG, Briuglia S, Aversa T. A novel case of 16q22.3 duplication syndrome in a child with overgrowth: case report and literature review. BMC Med Genomics 2023; 16:315. [PMID: 38049856 PMCID: PMC10696707 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-023-01716-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Distal chromosome 16 duplication syndrome (also known as 16q partial trisomy) is a very rare genetic disorder recently described in few clinical reports. 16q trisomy is generally associated with a multisystemic phenotype including intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), brain and cardiac defects, intellectual disability (ID) and an increased risk of both prenatal and postnatal lethality. Smaller copy number variants (CNV) within the 16q region create partial trisomies, which occur less frequently than full trisomy 16q. CASE PRESENTATION We present the clinical case of a 12-years-old male with a 16q22.3q24.1 de novo heterozygous duplication whose phenotype was characterized by ID, facial dysmorphisms, stature and weight overgrowth. To date, only five other cases of this syndrome have been reported in scientific literature, and none of them comprised overgrowth. CONCLUSIONS Our case report highlights the great heterogeneity in clinical manifestations and provides new evidence for better defining the phenotypic picture for smaller 16q distal CNVs, suggesting unusual features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Moschella
- Department of Biomedical, Dental, Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, "BIOMORF", Unit of Genetics and Pharmacogenetics, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Anna Paola Capra
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Domenico Corica
- Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood "G. Barresi", Unit of Paediatrics, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giorgia Pepe
- Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood "G. Barresi", Unit of Paediatrics, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Tommaso
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ester Sallicandro
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, "Bambino Gesù" Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Malgorzata G Wasniewska
- Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood "G. Barresi", Unit of Paediatrics, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Silvana Briuglia
- Department of Biomedical, Dental, Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, "BIOMORF", Unit of Genetics and Pharmacogenetics, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
| | - Tommaso Aversa
- Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood "G. Barresi", Unit of Paediatrics, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Zhang W, Chen H, Ding L, Huang J, Zhang M, Liu Y, Ma R, Zheng S, Gong J, Piña‐Crespo JC, Zhang Y. Microglial targeted therapy relieves cognitive impairment caused by Cntnap4 deficiency. EXPLORATION (BEIJING, CHINA) 2023; 3:20220160. [PMID: 37933376 PMCID: PMC10624376 DOI: 10.1002/exp.20220160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Contactin-associated protein-like 4 (Cntnap4) is critical for GABAergic transmission in the brain. Impaired Cntnap4 function is implicated in neurological disorders, such as autism; however, the role of Cntnap4 on memory processing is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that hippocampal Cntnap4 deficiency in female mice manifests as impaired cognitive function and synaptic plasticity. The underlying mechanisms may involve effects on the pro-inflammatory response resulting in dysfunctional GABAergic transmission and activated tryptophan metabolism. To efficiently and accurately inhibit the pro-inflammatory reaction, we established a biomimetic microglial nanoparticle strategy to deliver FDA-approved PLX3397 (termed MNPs@PLX). We show MNPs@PLX successfully penetrates the blood brain barrier and facilitates microglial-targeted delivery of PLX3397. Furthermore, MNPs@PLX attenuates cognitive decline, dysfunctional synaptic plasticity, and pro-inflammatory response in female heterozygous Cntnap4 knockout mice. Together, our findings show loss of Cntnap4 causes pro-inflammatory cognitive decline that is effectively prevented by supplementation with microglia-specific inhibitors; thus validating the targeting of microglial function as a therapeutic intervention in neurocognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlong Zhang
- Department of NeurologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Function and HealthSchool of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- School of Life SciencesWestlake UniversityHangzhouChina
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and BiomedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Huaqing Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene and Antibody TherapyCenter for Biotechnology and BiomedicineState Key Laboratory of Chemical OncogenomicsState Key Laboratory of Health Sciences and TechnologyInstitute of Biopharmaceutical and Health EngineeringShenzhen International Graduate SchoolTsinghua UniversityShenzhenChina
| | - Liuyan Ding
- Department of NeurologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Function and HealthSchool of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Jie Huang
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Function and HealthSchool of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Mengran Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Function and HealthSchool of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- School of Life SciencesWestlake UniversityHangzhouChina
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and BiomedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Yan Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese MedicineJinan UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Runfang Ma
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Function and HealthSchool of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- School of Life SciencesWestlake UniversityHangzhouChina
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and BiomedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Shaohui Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Function and HealthSchool of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- School of Life SciencesWestlake UniversityHangzhouChina
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and BiomedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Junwei Gong
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Function and HealthSchool of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Juan C. Piña‐Crespo
- Degenerative Diseases ProgramCenter for Genetic Disorders and Aging ResearchSanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery InstituteLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Yunlong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Function and HealthSchool of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- School of Life SciencesWestlake UniversityHangzhouChina
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and BiomedicineHangzhouChina
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Matta J, Dobrino D, Howard S, Yeboah D, Kopel J, El-Manzalawy Y, Obafemi-Ajayi T. A PheWAS Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2021; 2021:2110-2114. [PMID: 34891705 DOI: 10.1109/embc46164.2021.9629533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) exhibit a wide diversity in type, number, and severity of social deficits as well as communicative and cognitive difficulties. It is a challenge to categorize the phenotypes of a particular ASD patient with their unique genetic variants. There is a need for a better understanding of the connections between genotype information and the phenotypes to sort out the heterogeneity of ASD. In this study, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and phenotype data obtained from a simplex ASD sample are combined using a PheWAS-inspired approach to construct a phenotype-phenotype network. The network is clustered, yielding groups of etiologically related phenotypes. These clusters are analyzed to identify relevant genes associated with each set of phenotypes. The results identified multiple discriminant SNPs associated with varied phenotype clusters such as ASD aberrant behavior (self-injury, compulsiveness and hyperactivity), as well as IQ and language skills. Overall, these SNPs were linked to 22 significant genes. An extensive literature search revealed that eight of these are known to have strong evidence of association with ASD. The others have been linked to related disorders such as mental conditions, cognition, and social functioning.Clinical relevance- This study further informs on connections between certain groups of ASD phenotypes and their unique genetic variants. Such insight regarding the heterogeneity of ASD would support clinicians to advance more tailored interventions and improve outcomes for ASD patients.
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Gunther K, Mowrey K, Farach LS. Two new reported cases of 16q22.3q23.3 duplication syndrome highlight intrafamilial variability and potential sex expression differences within a rare duplication syndrome. Clin Case Rep 2021; 9:1629-1633. [PMID: 33768904 PMCID: PMC7981733 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.3862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Two new cases of 16q22.3q23.3 Duplication syndrome demonstrate that phenotype can vary from severely affected to mild psychiatric concerns, even within the same family and identical duplications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Gunther
- Department of PediatricsDivision of Medical GeneticsMcGovern Medical SchoolUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonHoustonTXUSA
| | - Kate Mowrey
- Department of PediatricsDivision of Medical GeneticsMcGovern Medical SchoolUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonHoustonTXUSA
| | - Laura Schoch Farach
- Department of PediatricsDivision of Medical GeneticsMcGovern Medical SchoolUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonHoustonTXUSA
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Zhang W, Zhou M, Lu W, Gong J, Gao F, Li Y, Xu X, Lin Y, Zhang X, Ding L, Zhang Z, Li G, Chen X, Sun X, Zhu X, Xu P, Zhang Y. CNTNAP4 deficiency in dopaminergic neurons initiates parkinsonian phenotypes. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:3000-3021. [PMID: 32194851 PMCID: PMC7053186 DOI: 10.7150/thno.40798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Contactin-associated protein-like 4 (CNTNAP4) belongs to the neurexin superfamily and has critical functions in neurological development and synaptic function. Loss of CNTNAP4 in interneurons has been linked to autism, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. CNTNAP4 is also highly enriched in dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN), however, few studies have investigated the role of CNTNAP4 in DA neurons, and whether CNTNAP4 deficiency in DA neurons contributes to Parkinson's disease (PD) remains unclear. Methods: Effects of CNTNAP4 knockdown or overexpression on the DA MN9D cell line were assessed via Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and RNA sequencing. An in vivo animal model, including CNTNAP4 knockout mice and stereotaxic injections of adeno-associated viral short-hairpin RNA with the tyrosine-hydroxylase promotor to silence CNTNAP4 in the SN, as well as the resulting physiological/behavioral effects, were evaluated via behavioral tests, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were performed to examine the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma CNTNAP4 concentrations in PD patients. Results: We demonstrated that CNTNAP4 knockdown induced mitophagy and increased α-synuclein expression in MN9D cells. CNTNAP4 knockdown in the SN induced PD-like increases in SN-specific α-synuclein expression, DA neuronal degeneration, and motor dysfunction in mice. In addition, CNTNAP4 knockdown in SN-DA neurons increased autophagosomes and reduced synaptic vesicles in the SN. Furthermore, CNTNAP4 knockout mice showed movement deficits, nigral DA degeneration, and increased autophagy, which were consistent with the SN-specific knockdown model. We also found that CSF and plasma CNTNAP4 expression was increased in PD patients; in particular, plasma CNTNAP4 was increased in male PD patients compared with controls or female PD patients. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that CNTNAP4 deficiency may initiate phenotypes relevant to PD, of which we elucidated some of the underlying mechanisms.
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Fernandez A, Drozd MM, Thümmler S, Dor E, Capovilla M, Askenazy F, Bardoni B. Childhood-Onset Schizophrenia: A Systematic Overview of Its Genetic Heterogeneity From Classical Studies to the Genomic Era. Front Genet 2019; 10:1137. [PMID: 31921276 PMCID: PMC6930680 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS), a very rare and severe chronic psychiatric condition, is defined by an onset of positive symptoms (delusions, hallucinations and disorganized speech or behavior) before the age of 13. COS is associated with other neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. Copy number variations (CNVs) represent well documented neurodevelopmental disorder risk factors and, recently, de novo single nucleotide variations (SNVs) in genes involved in brain development have also been implicated in the complex genetic architecture of COS. Here, we aim to review the genetic changes (CNVs and SNVs) reported for COS, going from previous studies to the whole genome sequencing era. We carried out a systematic review search in PubMed using the keywords “childhood(early)-onset schizophrenia(psychosis)” and “genetic(s) or gene(s) or genomic(s)” without language and date limitations. The main inclusion criteria are COS (onset before 13 years old) and all changes/variations at the DNA level (CNVs or SNVs). Thirty-six studies out of 205 met the inclusion criteria. Cytogenetic abnormalities (n = 72, including 66 CNVs) were identified in 16 autosomes and 2 sex chromosomes (X, Y), some with a higher frequency and clinical significance than others (e.g., 2p16.3, 3q29, 15q13.3, 22q11.21 deletions; 2p25.3, 3p25.3 and 16p11.2 duplications). Thirty-one single nucleotide mutations in genes principally involved in brain development and/or function have been found in 12 autosomes and one sex chromosome (X). We also describe five SNVs in X-linked genes inherited from a healthy mother, arguing for the X-linked recessive inheritance hypothesis. Moreover, ATP1A3 (19q13.2) is the only gene carrying more than one SNV in more than one patient, making it a strong candidate for COS. Mutations were distributed in various chromosomes illustrating the genetic heterogeneity of COS. More than 90% of CNVs involved in COS are also involved in ASD, supporting the idea that there may be genetic overlap between these disorders. Different mutations associated with COS are probably still unknown, and pathogenesis might also be explained by the association of different genetic variations (two or more CNVs or CNVs and SNVs) as well as association with early acquired brain lesions such as infection, hypoxia, or early childhood trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Fernandez
- University Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Children's, Hospitals of NICE CHU-Lenval, Nice, France.,CoBTek, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.,Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS UMR7275, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France
| | - Malgorzata Marta Drozd
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS UMR7275, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France
| | - Susanne Thümmler
- University Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Children's, Hospitals of NICE CHU-Lenval, Nice, France.,CoBTek, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Emmanuelle Dor
- University Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Children's, Hospitals of NICE CHU-Lenval, Nice, France.,CoBTek, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Maria Capovilla
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS UMR7275, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France
| | - Florence Askenazy
- University Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Children's, Hospitals of NICE CHU-Lenval, Nice, France.,CoBTek, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Barbara Bardoni
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS UMR7275, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France.,Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS UMR7275, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France
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Shangguan Y, Xu X, Ganbat B, Li Y, Wang W, Yang Y, Lu X, Du C, Tian X, Wang X. CNTNAP4 Impacts Epilepsy Through GABAA Receptors Regulation: Evidence From Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients and Mouse Models. Cereb Cortex 2019; 28:3491-3504. [PMID: 28968899 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhx215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a serious neurological condition characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. The exact etiology of epilepsy is not fully understood. Here, we demonstrated that the expression of contactin-associated protein-like 4 (CNTNAP4) was decreased in the temporal neocortex of epileptic patients and in the hippocampus and cortex of epileptic mice. Lentivirus-mediated knock-down of CNTNAP4 in the hippocampus increased mice susceptibility to epilepsy. Conversely, lentivirus-mediated overexpression of CNTNAP4 decreased epileptic behavior in mice. CNTNAP4 affected neuronal excitability and inhibitory synaptic transmission via postsynaptic receptors in Mg2+-free epilepsy cell model. Down-regulation or overexpression of CNTNAP4 in the hippocampus influenced the expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor β2/3 (GABAARβ2/3) membrane protein, without affecting total GABAARβ2/3 protein concentration in epileptic mice. Protein interactions between CNTNAP4, GABAARβ2/3 and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor-associated protein (GABARAP) were observed in the hippocampus of epileptic mice. These findings suggest CNTNAP4 may be involved in the occurrence and development of epilepsy through the regulation of GABAAR function, and may be a promising target for the development of epilepsy treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafei Shangguan
- Department of Neurology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Xu
- Department of Neurology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, China
| | - Baigalimaa Ganbat
- Department of Neurology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, China
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Neurology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Neurology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, China
| | - Yong Yang
- Department of Neurology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, China
| | - Xi Lu
- Department of Neurology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, China
| | - Chao Du
- Department of Neurology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Tian
- Department of Neurology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- Department of Neurology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, China
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Langford R, Hurrion E, Dawson PA. Genetics and pathophysiology of mammalian sulfate biology. J Genet Genomics 2017; 44:7-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2016.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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