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Bard AM, Clark LV, Cosgun E, Aldinger KA, Timms A, Quina LA, Ferres JML, Jardine D, Haas EA, Becker TM, Pagan CM, Santani A, Martinez D, Barua S, McNutt Z, Nesbitt A, Mitchell EA, Ramirez JM. Known pathogenic gene variants and new candidates detected in sudden unexpected infant death using whole genome sequencing. Am J Med Genet A 2024:e63596. [PMID: 38895864 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to gain insights into potential genetic factors contributing to the infant's vulnerability to Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) was performed on 144 infants that succumbed to SUID, and 573 healthy adults. Variants were filtered by gnomAD allele frequencies and predictions of functional consequences. Variants of interest were identified in 88 genes, in 64.6% of our cohort. Seventy-three of these have been previously associated with SIDS/SUID/SUDP. Forty-three can be characterized as cardiac genes and are related to cardiomyopathies, arrhythmias, and other conditions. Variants in 22 genes were associated with neurologic functions. Variants were also found in 13 genes reported to be pathogenic for various systemic disorders and in two genes associated with immunological function. Variants in eight genes are implicated in the response to hypoxia and the regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and have not been previously described in SIDS/SUID/SUDP. Seventy-two infants met the triple risk hypothesis criteria. Our study confirms and further expands the list of genetic variants associated with SUID. The abundance of genes associated with heart disease and the discovery of variants associated with the redox metabolism have important mechanistic implications for the pathophysiology of SUID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Bard
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lindsay V Clark
- Bioinformatics and Research Scientific Computing, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Erdal Cosgun
- Bioinformatics and Research Scientific Computing, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
- AI for Good Research Lab, Microsoft, Redmond, Washington, USA
- Microsoft Genomics Team, Redmond, Washington, USA
| | - Kimberly A Aldinger
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Andrew Timms
- Bioinformatics and Research Scientific Computing, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lely A Quina
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Juan M Lavista Ferres
- Bioinformatics and Research Scientific Computing, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
- AI for Good Research Lab, Microsoft, Redmond, Washington, USA
- Microsoft Genomics Team, Redmond, Washington, USA
| | - David Jardine
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Elisabeth A Haas
- Department of Research, Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Tatiana M Becker
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Chelsea M Pagan
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Edwin A Mitchell
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jan-Marino Ramirez
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Talarico M, Fortunato F, Labalme A, Januel L, Chatron N, Sanlaville D, Sammarra I, Gagliardi M, Procopio R, Valentino P, Annesi G, Lesca G, Gambardella A. Idiopathic generalized epilepsy in a family with SCN4A-related myotonia. Epilepsia Open 2024; 9:951-959. [PMID: 38544349 PMCID: PMC11145607 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12920] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Myotonia is a clinical sign typical of a group of skeletal muscle channelopathies, the non-dystrophic myotonias. These disorders are electrophysiologically characterized by altered membrane excitability, due to specific genetic variants in known causative genes (CLCN1 and SCN4A). Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME) is an epileptic syndrome identified as idiopathic generalized epilepsy, its genetics is complex and still unclarified. The co-occurrence of these two phenotypes is rare and the causes likely have a genetic background. In this study, we have genetically investigated an Italian family in which co-segregates myotonia, JME, or abnormal EEG without seizures was observed. METHODS All six individuals of the family, 4 affected and 2 unaffected, were clinically evaluated; EMG and EEG examinations were performed. For genetic testing, Exome Sequencing was performed for the six family members and Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the candidate variant. RESULTS Four family members, the mother and three siblings, were affected by myotonia. Moreover, EEG recordings revealed interictal generalized sharp-wave discharges in all affected individuals, and two siblings were affected by JME. All four affected members share the same identified variant, c.644 T > C, p.Ile215Thr, in SCN4A gene. Variants that could account for the epileptic phenotype alone, separately from the myotonic one, were not identified. SIGNIFICANCE These results provide supporting evidence that both myotonic and epileptic phenotypes could share a common genetic background, due to variants in SCN4A gene. SCN4A pathogenic variants, already known to be causative of myotonia, likely increase the susceptibility to epilepsy in our family. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY This study analyzed all members of an Italian family, in which the mother and three siblings had myotonia and epilepsy. Genetic analysis allowed to identify a variant in the SCN4A gene, which appears to be the cause of both clinical signs in this family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariagrazia Talarico
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of NeurologyUniversity Magna GraeciaCatanzaroItaly
| | - Francesco Fortunato
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of NeurologyUniversity Magna GraeciaCatanzaroItaly
| | | | - Louis Januel
- Genetics DepartmentHospices Civils de LyonLyonFrance
| | - Nicolas Chatron
- Genetics DepartmentHospices Civils de LyonLyonFrance
- GENDEV Team, CRNL, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR 5292UCBL1LyonFrance
| | - Damien Sanlaville
- Genetics DepartmentHospices Civils de LyonLyonFrance
- GENDEV Team, CRNL, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR 5292UCBL1LyonFrance
| | - Ilaria Sammarra
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of NeurologyUniversity Magna GraeciaCatanzaroItaly
| | - Monica Gagliardi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Neuroscience Research CenterMagna Graecia UniversityCatanzaroItaly
| | - Radha Procopio
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of NeurologyUniversity Magna GraeciaCatanzaroItaly
| | - Paola Valentino
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of NeurologyUniversity Magna GraeciaCatanzaroItaly
| | - Grazia Annesi
- Institute for Biomedical Research and InnovationNational Research CouncilCosenzaItaly
| | - Gaetan Lesca
- Genetics DepartmentHospices Civils de LyonLyonFrance
- GENDEV Team, CRNL, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR 5292UCBL1LyonFrance
| | - Antonio Gambardella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of NeurologyUniversity Magna GraeciaCatanzaroItaly
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Neuroscience Research CenterMagna Graecia UniversityCatanzaroItaly
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Jansen NA, Cestèle S, Marco SS, Schenke M, Stewart K, Patel J, Tolner EA, Brunklaus A, Mantegazza M, van den Maagdenberg AMJM. Brainstem depolarization-induced lethal apnea associated with gain-of-function SCN1AL263V is prevented by sodium channel blockade. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2309000121. [PMID: 38547067 PMCID: PMC10998578 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2309000121] [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: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Apneic events are frightening but largely benign events that often occur in infants. Here, we report apparent life-threatening apneic events in an infant with the homozygous SCN1AL263V missense mutation, which causes familial hemiplegic migraine type 3 in heterozygous family members, in the absence of epilepsy. Observations consistent with the events in the infant were made in an Scn1aL263V knock-in mouse model, in which apnea was preceded by a large brainstem DC-shift, indicative of profound brainstem depolarization. The L263V mutation caused gain of NaV1.1 function effects in transfected HEK293 cells. Sodium channel blockade mitigated the gain-of-function characteristics, rescued lethal apnea in Scn1aL263V mice, and decreased the frequency of severe apneic events in the patient. Hence, this study shows that SCN1AL263V can cause life-threatening apneic events, which in a mouse model were caused by profound brainstem depolarization. In addition to being potentially relevant to sudden infant death syndrome pathophysiology, these data indicate that sodium channel blockers may be considered therapeutic for apneic events in patients with these and other gain-of-function SCN1A mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico A. Jansen
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden2333 ZC, The Netherlands
| | - Sandrine Cestèle
- Université Côte d’Azur, Valbonne-Sophia Antipolis06560, France
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Valbonne-Sophia Antipolis06560, France
| | - Silvia Sanchez Marco
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, University Hospitals Bristol, BristolBS2 8BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Maarten Schenke
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden2333 ZC, The Netherlands
| | - Kirsty Stewart
- West of Scotland Genetic Services, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, GlasgowG51 4TF, United Kingdom
| | - Jayesh Patel
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, University Hospitals Bristol, BristolBS2 8BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Else A. Tolner
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden2333 ZC, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Brunklaus
- The Paediatric Neurosciences Research Group, Royal Hospital for Children, GlasgowG51 4TF, United Kingdom
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8TB, United Kingdom
| | - Massimo Mantegazza
- Université Côte d’Azur, Valbonne-Sophia Antipolis06560, France
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Valbonne-Sophia Antipolis06560, France
- Inserm, Valbonne-Sophia Antipolis06560, France
| | - Arn M. J. M. van den Maagdenberg
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden2333 ZC, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden2333 ZA, The Netherlands
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Sedlackova L, Sterbova K, Vlckova M, Seeman P, Zarubova J, Marusic P, Krsek P, Krijtova H, Musilova A, Lassuthova P. Yield of exome sequencing in patients with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies and inconclusive targeted gene panel. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2024; 48:17-29. [PMID: 38008000 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2023.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are a group of severe, early-onset epilepsies characterised by refractory seizures, developmental delay, or regression and generally poor prognosis. DEE are now known to have an identifiable molecular genetic basis and are usually examined using a gene panel. However, for many patients, the genetic cause has still not been identified. The aims of this study were to identify causal variants for DEE in patients for whom the previous examination with a gene panel did not determine their genetic diagnosis. It also aims for a detailed description and broadening of the phenotypic spectrum of several rare DEEs. METHODS In the last five years (2015-2020), 141 patients from all over the Czech Republic were referred to our department for genetic testing in association with their diagnosis of epilepsy. All patients underwent custom-designed gene panel testing prior to enrolment into the study, and their results were inconclusive. We opted for whole exome sequencing (WES) to identify the cause of their disorder. If a causal or potentially causal variant was identified, we performed a detailed clinical evaluation and phenotype-genotype correlation study to better describe the specific rare subtypes. RESULTS Explanatory causative variants were detected in 20 patients (14%), likely pathogenic variants that explain the epilepsy in 5 patients (3.5%) and likely pathogenic variants that do not fully explain the epilepsy in 11 patients (7.5%), and variants in candidate genes in 4 patients (3%). Variants were mostly de novo 29/40 (72.5%). SIGNIFICANCE WES enables us to identify the cause of the disease in additional patients, even after gene panel testing. It is very important to perform a WES in DEE patients as soon as possible, since it will spare the patients and their families many years of a diagnostic odyssey. In particular, patients with rare epilepsies might significantly benefit from this approach, and we propose using WES as a new standard in the diagnosis of DEE instead of targeted gene panel testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Sedlackova
- Neurogenetic Laboratory, Department of Paediatric Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Full Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Czech Republic.
| | - Katalin Sterbova
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Motol Epilepsy Center, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Full Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Czech Republic.
| | - Marketa Vlckova
- Department of Biology and Medical Genetics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Full Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Czech Republic.
| | - Pavel Seeman
- Neurogenetic Laboratory, Department of Paediatric Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Full Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Czech Republic; Department of Medical Genetics, Masaryk Hospital, Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic.
| | - Jana Zarubova
- Department of Neurology, Motol Epilepsy Center, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Full Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Czech Republic.
| | - Petr Marusic
- Department of Neurology, Motol Epilepsy Center, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Full Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Czech Republic.
| | - Pavel Krsek
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Motol Epilepsy Center, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Full Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Czech Republic.
| | - Hana Krijtova
- Department of Neurology, Motol Epilepsy Center, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Full Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Czech Republic.
| | - Alena Musilova
- Neurogenetic Laboratory, Department of Paediatric Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Full Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Czech Republic.
| | - Petra Lassuthova
- Neurogenetic Laboratory, Department of Paediatric Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Full Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Czech Republic.
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Bard AM, Clark LV, Cosgun E, Aldinger KA, Timms A, Quina LA, Lavista Ferres JM, Jardine D, Haas EA, Becker TM, Pagan CM, Santani A, Martinez D, Barua S, McNutt Z, Nesbitt A, Mitchell EA, Ramirez JM. Known pathogenic gene variants and new candidates detected in Sudden Unexpected Infant Death using Whole Genome Sequencing. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.09.11.23295207. [PMID: 37745463 PMCID: PMC10516094 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.11.23295207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Purpose To gain insights into potential genetic factors contributing to the infant's vulnerability to Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). Methods Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) was performed on 145 infants that succumbed to SUID, and 576 healthy adults. Variants were filtered by gnomAD allele frequencies and predictions of functional consequences. Results Variants of interest were identified in 86 genes, 63.4% of our cohort. Seventy-one of these have been previously associated with SIDS/SUID/SUDP. Forty-three can be characterized as cardiac genes and are related to cardiomyopathies, arrhythmias, and other conditions. Variants in 22 genes were associated with neurologic functions. Variants were also found in 13 genes reported to be pathogenic for various systemic disorders. Variants in eight genes are implicated in the response to hypoxia and the regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and have not been previously described in SIDS/SUID/SUDP. Seventy-two infants met the triple risk hypothesis criteria (Figure 1). Conclusion Our study confirms and further expands the list of genetic variants associated with SUID. The abundance of genes associated with heart disease and the discovery of variants associated with the redox metabolism have important mechanistic implications for the pathophysiology of SUID.
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Brownstein CA, Douard E, Haynes RL, Koh HY, Haghighi A, Keywan C, Martin B, Alexandrescu S, Haas EA, Vargas SO, Wojcik MH, Jacquemont S, Poduri AH, Goldstein RD, Holm IA. Copy Number Variation and Structural Genomic Findings in 116 Cases of Sudden Unexplained Death between 1 and 28 Months of Age. ADVANCED GENETICS (HOBOKEN, N.J.) 2023; 4:2200012. [PMID: 36910592 PMCID: PMC10000288 DOI: 10.1002/ggn2.202200012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In sudden unexplained death in pediatrics (SUDP) the cause of death is unknown despite an autopsy and investigation. The role of copy number variations (CNVs) in SUDP has not been well-studied. Chromosomal microarray (CMA) data are generated for 116 SUDP cases with age at death between 1 and 28 months. CNVs are classified using the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines and CNVs in our cohort are compared to an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) cohort, and to a control cohort. Pathogenic CNVs are identified in 5 of 116 cases (4.3%). Variants of uncertain significance (VUS) favoring pathogenic CNVs are identified in 9 cases (7.8%). Several CNVs are associated with neurodevelopmental phenotypes including seizures, ASD, developmental delay, and schizophrenia. The structural variant 47,XXY is identified in two cases (2/69 boys, 2.9%) not previously diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome. Pathogenicity scores for deletions are significantly elevated in the SUDP cohort versus controls (p = 0.007) and are not significantly different from the ASD cohort. The finding of pathogenic or VUS favoring pathogenic CNVs, or structural variants, in 12.1% of cases, combined with the observation of higher pathogenicity scores for deletions in SUDP versus controls, suggests that CMA should be included in the genetic evaluation of SUDP.
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Christensen J, Trabjerg BB, Dreier JW. Cardiac morbidity and mortality associated with the use of lamotrigine. Epilepsia 2022; 63:2371-2380. [PMID: 35735211 PMCID: PMC9796304 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The US Food and Drug Administration recently issued a warning against the use of the antiseizure medication lamotrigine in people at risk of cardiac rhythm and conduction abnormalities. This study assessed the risk of cardiac morbidity and mortality in new users of lamotrigine. METHODS In a Danish population-based cohort study, we followed cohort members aged ≥15 years for the first 2 years after they initiated lamotrigine therapy. The main outcomes were cardiac conduction disorders in people without pre-existing cardiac morbidity and all-cause mortality in people with pre-existing cardiac morbidity. Cox proportional hazards models provided hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for comparison of the risk in current versus past users of lamotrigine. RESULTS There were 91 949 (36 618 males [39.8%]) new users of lamotrigine (median age = 45.7 years, interquartile range = 32.0-60.2 years). Among users without pre-existing cardiac disease (n = 86 769), 194 (.23%) developed a cardiac conduction disorder. Comparison of the risk in current and past lamotrigine treatment periods yielded an adjusted HR of new onset cardiac conduction disorder of 1.03 (95% CI = .76-1.40). Among users with pre-existing cardiac disease (n = 5180), 1150 (22.2%) died. Comparison of the risk in current and past lamotrigine treatment periods yielded an adjusted HR for all cause-mortality of 1.05 (95% CI = .93-1.19). SIGNIFICANCE In this large population-based study, lamotrigine use was associated neither with a risk of cardiac conduction disorders in people without pre-existing cardiac morbidity nor with all-cause mortality in people with pre-existing cardiac morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Christensen
- National Center for Register‐Based Research, Department of Economics and Business EconomicsAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- Department of NeurologyAarhus University HospitalAarhusDenmark
| | - Betina B. Trabjerg
- National Center for Register‐Based Research, Department of Economics and Business EconomicsAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- Center for Integrated Register‐Based ResearchAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Julie Werenberg Dreier
- National Center for Register‐Based Research, Department of Economics and Business EconomicsAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- Center for Integrated Register‐Based ResearchAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
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Ding J, Li X, Tian H, Wang L, Guo B, Wang Y, Li W, Wang F, Sun T. SCN1A Mutation-Beyond Dravet Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis. Front Neurol 2022; 12:743726. [PMID: 35002916 PMCID: PMC8739186 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.743726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background:SCN1A is one of the most common epilepsy genes. About 80% of SCN1A gene mutations cause Dravet syndrome (DS), which is a severe and catastrophic epileptic encephalopathy. More than 1,800 mutations have been identified in SCN1A. Although it is known that SCN1A is the main cause of DS and genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+), there is a dearth of information on the other related diseases caused by mutations of SCN1A. Objective: The aim of this study is to systematically review the literature associated with SCN1A and other non-DS-related disorders. Methods: We searched PubMed and SCOPUS for all the published cases related to gene mutations of SCN1A until October 20, 2021. The results reported by each study were summarized narratively. Results: The PubMed and SCOPUS search yielded 2,889 items. A total of 453 studies published between 2005 and 2020 met the final inclusion criteria. Overall, 303 studies on DS, 93 on GEFS+, three on Doose syndrome, nine on the epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures (EIMFS), six on the West syndrome, two on the Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (LGS), one on the Rett syndrome, seven on the nonsyndromic epileptic encephalopathy (NEE), 19 on hemiplegia migraine, six on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), two on nonepileptic SCN1A-related sudden deaths, and two on the arthrogryposis multiplex congenital were included. Conclusion: Aside from DS, SCN1A also causes other epileptic encephalopathies, such as GEFS+, Doose syndrome, EIMFS, West syndrome, LGS, Rett syndrome, and NEE. In addition to epilepsy, hemiplegic migraine, ASD, sudden death, and arthrogryposis multiplex congenital can also be caused by mutations of SCN1A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangwei Ding
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, The Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xinxiao Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Haiyan Tian
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, China
| | - Baorui Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, The Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, China
| | - Wenchao Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, The Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
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Nicole S, Lory P. New Challenges Resulting From the Loss of Function of Na v1.4 in Neuromuscular Diseases. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:751095. [PMID: 34671263 PMCID: PMC8521073 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.751095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.4 is a major actor in the excitability of skeletal myofibers, driving the muscle force in response to nerve stimulation. Supporting further this key role, mutations in SCN4A, the gene encoding the pore-forming α subunit of Nav1.4, are responsible for a clinical spectrum of human diseases ranging from muscle stiffness (sodium channel myotonia, SCM) to muscle weakness. For years, only dominantly-inherited diseases resulting from Nav1.4 gain of function (GoF) were known, i.e., non-dystrophic myotonia (delayed muscle relaxation due to myofiber hyperexcitability), paramyotonia congenita and hyperkalemic or hypokalemic periodic paralyses (episodic flaccid muscle weakness due to transient myofiber hypoexcitability). These last 5 years, SCN4A mutations inducing Nav1.4 loss of function (LoF) were identified as the cause of dominantly and recessively-inherited disorders with muscle weakness: periodic paralyses with hypokalemic attacks, congenital myasthenic syndromes and congenital myopathies. We propose to name this clinical spectrum sodium channel weakness (SCW) as the mirror of SCM. Nav1.4 LoF as a cause of permanent muscle weakness was quite unexpected as the Na+ current density in the sarcolemma is large, securing the ability to generate and propagate muscle action potentials. The properties of SCN4A LoF mutations are well documented at the channel level in cellular electrophysiological studies However, much less is known about the functional consequences of Nav1.4 LoF in skeletal myofibers with no available pertinent cell or animal models. Regarding the therapeutic issues for Nav1.4 channelopathies, former efforts were aimed at developing subtype-selective Nav channel antagonists to block myofiber hyperexcitability. Non-selective, Nav channel blockers are clinically efficient in SCM and paramyotonia congenita, whereas patient education and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are helpful to prevent attacks in periodic paralyses. Developing therapeutic tools able to counteract Nav1.4 LoF in skeletal muscles is then a new challenge in the field of Nav channelopathies. Here, we review the current knowledge regarding Nav1.4 LoF and discuss the possible therapeutic strategies to be developed in order to improve muscle force in SCW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Nicole
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France.,LabEx 'Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics (ICST), Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Lory
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France.,LabEx 'Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics (ICST), Montpellier, France
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10
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Keywan C, Poduri AH, Goldstein RD, Holm IA. Genetic Factors Underlying Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. APPLICATION OF CLINICAL GENETICS 2021; 14:61-76. [PMID: 33623412 PMCID: PMC7894824 DOI: 10.2147/tacg.s239478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Sudden Infant Death syndrome (SIDS) is a diagnosis of exclusion. Decades of research have made steady gains in understanding plausible mechanisms of terminal events. Current evidence suggests SIDS includes heterogeneous biological conditions, such as metabolic, cardiac, neurologic, respiratory, and infectious conditions. Here we review genetic studies that address each of these areas in SIDS cases and cohorts, providing a broad view of the genetic underpinnings of this devastating phenomenon. The current literature has established a role for monogenic genetic causes of SIDS mortality in a subset of cases. To expand upon our current knowledge of disease-causing genetic variants in SIDS cohorts and their mechanisms, future genetic studies may employ functional assessments of implicated variants, broader genetic tests, and the inclusion of parental genetic data and family history information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Keywan
- Robert's Program for Sudden Unexpected Death in Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Annapurna H Poduri
- Robert's Program for Sudden Unexpected Death in Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Epilepsy Genetics Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard D Goldstein
- Robert's Program for Sudden Unexpected Death in Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ingrid A Holm
- Robert's Program for Sudden Unexpected Death in Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Genetics and Genomics, Department of Pediatrics, and Manton Center for Orphan Diseases Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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11
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Harowitz J, Crandall L, McGuone D, Devinsky O. Seizure-related deaths in children: The expanding spectrum. Epilepsia 2021; 62:570-582. [PMID: 33586153 PMCID: PMC7986159 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Although seizures are common in children, they are often overlooked as a potential cause of death. Febrile and nonfebrile seizures can be fatal in children with or without an epilepsy diagnosis and may go unrecognized by parents or physicians. Sudden unexpected infant deaths, sudden unexplained death in childhood, and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy share clinical, neuropathological, and genetic features, including male predominance, unwitnessed deaths, death during sleep, discovery in the prone position, hippocampal abnormalities, and variants in genes regulating cardiac and neuronal excitability. Additionally, epidemiological studies reveal that miscarriages are more common among individuals with a personal or family history of epilepsy, suggesting that some fetal losses may result from epileptic factors. The spectrum of seizure-related deaths in pediatrics is wide and underappreciated; accurately estimating this mortality and understanding its mechanism in children is critical to developing effective education and interventions to prevent these tragedies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Harowitz
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Laura Crandall
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,SUDC Foundation, Herndon, Virginia, USA
| | - Declan McGuone
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Orrin Devinsky
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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12
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Johannsen EB, Baughn LB, Sharma N, Zjacic N, Pirooznia M, Elhaik E. The Genetics of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome-Towards a Gene Reference Resource. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:216. [PMID: 33540853 PMCID: PMC7913088 DOI: 10.3390/genes12020216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexpected death of an infant under one year of age that remains unexplained after a thorough investigation. Despite SIDS remaining a diagnosis of exclusion with an unexplained etiology, it is widely accepted that SIDS can be caused by environmental and/or biological factors, with multiple underlying candidate genes. However, the lack of biomarkers raises questions as to why genetic studies on SIDS to date are unable to provide a clearer understanding of the disease etiology. We sought to improve the identification of SIDS-associated genes by reviewing the SIDS genetic literature and objectively categorizing and scoring the reported genes based on the strength of evidence (from C1 (high) to C5 (low)). This was followed by analyses of function, associations between genes, the enrichment of gene ontology (GO) terms, and pathways and gender difference in tissue gene expression. We constructed a curated database for SIDS gene candidates consisting of 109 genes, 14 of which received a category 4 (C4) and 95 genes received the lowest category of C5. That none of the genes was classified into the higher categories indicates the low level of supporting evidence. We found that genes of both scoring categories show distinct networks and are highly diverse in function and involved in many GO terms and pathways, in agreement with the perception of SIDS as a heterogeneous syndrome. Genes of both scoring categories are part of the cardiac system, muscle, and ion channels, whereas immune-related functions showed enrichment for C4 genes. A limited association was found with neural development. Overall, inconsistent reports and missing metadata contribute to the ambiguity of genetic studies. Considering those parameters could help improve the identification of at-risk SIDS genes. However, the field is still far from offering a full-pledged genetic test to identify at-risk infants and is still hampered with methodological challenges and misunderstandings of the vulnerabilities of vital biological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Linda B. Baughn
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (L.B.B.); (N.S.)
| | - Neeraj Sharma
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (L.B.B.); (N.S.)
| | - Nicolina Zjacic
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK;
| | - Mehdi Pirooznia
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Eran Elhaik
- Department of Biology, Lund University, 22362 Lund, Sweden;
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13
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Rochtus AM, Goldstein RD, Holm IA, Brownstein CA, Pérez‐Palma E, Haynes R, Lal D, Poduri AH. The role of sodium channels in sudden unexpected death in pediatrics. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2020; 8:e1309. [PMID: 32449611 PMCID: PMC7434613 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sudden Unexpected Death in Pediatrics (SUDP) is a tragic event, likely caused by the complex interaction of multiple factors. The presence of hippocampal abnormalities in many children with SUDP suggests that epilepsy-related mechanisms may contribute to death, similar to Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy. Because of known associations between the genes SCN1A and SCN5A and sudden death, and shared mechanisms and patterns of expression in genes encoding many voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs), we hypothesized that individuals dying from SUDP have pathogenic variants across the entire family of cardiac arrhythmia- and epilepsy-associated VGSC genes. METHODS To address this hypothesis, we evaluated whole-exome sequencing data from infants and children with SUDP for variants in VGSC genes, reviewed the literature for all SUDP-associated variants in VGSCs, applied a novel paralog analysis to all variants, and evaluated all variants according to American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. RESULTS In our cohort of 73 cases of SUDP, we assessed 11 variants as pathogenic in SCN1A, SCN1B, and SCN10A, genes with long-standing disease associations, and in SCN3A, SCN4A, and SCN9A, VGSC gene paralogs with more recent disease associations. From the literature, we identified 82 VGSC variants in SUDP cases. Pathogenic variants clustered at conserved amino acid sites intolerant to variation across the VGSC genes, which is unlikely to occur in the general population (p < .0001). For 54% of variants previously reported in literature, we identified conflicting evidence regarding pathogenicity when applying ACMG criteria and modern population data. CONCLUSION We report variants in several VGSC genes in cases with SUDP, involving both arrhythmia- and epilepsy-associated genes. Accurate variant assessment as well as future studies are essential for an improved understanding of the contribution of sodium channel-related variants to SUDP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M. Rochtus
- Department of NeurologyBoston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
- Robert’s Program on Sudden Death in PediatricsBoston Children’s HospitalBostonMAUSA
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Richard D. Goldstein
- Robert’s Program on Sudden Death in PediatricsBoston Children’s HospitalBostonMAUSA
- Department of PediatricsBoston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Ingrid A. Holm
- Robert’s Program on Sudden Death in PediatricsBoston Children’s HospitalBostonMAUSA
- Department of PediatricsBoston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
- Department of MedicineDivision of Genetics and Genomics and the Manton Center for Orphan Disease ResearchBoston Children's HospitalBostonMAUSA
| | - Catherine A. Brownstein
- Robert’s Program on Sudden Death in PediatricsBoston Children’s HospitalBostonMAUSA
- Department of PediatricsBoston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
- Department of MedicineDivision of Genetics and Genomics and the Manton Center for Orphan Disease ResearchBoston Children's HospitalBostonMAUSA
| | - Eduardo Pérez‐Palma
- Genomic Medicine InstituteLerner Research InstituteCleveland ClinicClevelandOHUSA
- Cologne Center for GenomicsUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
| | - Robin Haynes
- Robert’s Program on Sudden Death in PediatricsBoston Children’s HospitalBostonMAUSA
- Department of PathologyBoston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Dennis Lal
- Genomic Medicine InstituteLerner Research InstituteCleveland ClinicClevelandOHUSA
- Cologne Center for GenomicsUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric ResearchBroad Institute of Harvard and MITCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Annapurna H. Poduri
- Department of NeurologyBoston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
- Robert’s Program on Sudden Death in PediatricsBoston Children’s HospitalBostonMAUSA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric ResearchBroad Institute of Harvard and MITCambridgeMAUSA
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