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MacFarland SP, Duvall M, Kemajou RT, Baldino SE, Zelley K, Black C, Thomas A, Thomas NH, Ruffner M, Li Y, Miller JS, Brodeur GM, Shabason E. Developmental and behavioral phenotypes of pediatric patients with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome. Am J Med Genet A 2024; 194:e63608. [PMID: 38546160 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63608] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Our study characterized the neurodevelopmental spectrum of individuals with PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS), a syndrome that predisposes to both neurodevelopmental phenotypes and cancer risk. We aim to better understand life-impacting neurodevelopmental features of PHTS. Our study recruited 20 children/adolescents with PHTS, who were then administered assessments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurocognitive measures, including assessment of IQ, executive and adaptive functioning, and health-related quality of life. Thirteen individuals (65%) were identified as having ASD, of which five were newly diagnosed during the study. Of those, ASD symptom severity was in the mild-moderate range for 77%. Overall, IQ was in the average range, with a mean of 92.61 (SD 24.45, p = 0.5), though there was a non-statistically significant trend toward individuals without ASD having a higher mean IQ (102.7 vs 82.3; p = 0.1). Subjects had significant impairment in processing speed (mean 75.38, SD 24.75, p < 0.05), decreased adaptive functioning skills across all domains, and a trend toward having more executive functioning problems. Individuals with PHTS are at increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD and impaired executive and adaptive functioning. Although clear guidelines exist for cancer surveillance for individuals with PHTS, additional guidelines and screening for neurodevelopmental disorders are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne P MacFarland
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Melani Duvall
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Sarah E Baldino
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kristin Zelley
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Chelsea Black
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Behavioral Neuroscience Core, Center for Human Phenomic Science, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Allison Thomas
- Behavioral Neuroscience Core, Center for Human Phenomic Science, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nina H Thomas
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Behavioral Neuroscience Core, Center for Human Phenomic Science, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Melanie Ruffner
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yimei Li
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Judith S Miller
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Garrett M Brodeur
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Emily Shabason
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Children's Hospital of Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Martinez-Rios C, De Leon Benedetti LS, Tierradentro-Garcia LO, Kilicarslan OA, Caro-Dominguez P, Otero HJ. Imaging findings of children with PTEN-related hamartoma tumor syndrome: a 20-year multicentric pediatric cohort. Pediatr Radiol 2024; 54:1116-1127. [PMID: 38644431 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-024-05922-8] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND PTEN-related hamartoma tumor syndrome results from a mutation in the PTEN gene located at 10q23.31. This syndrome represents a spectrum of different phenotypes of variable expressions, now recognized as part of the same condition. Patients with this mutation have an increased risk of developing a wide range of findings, including malignancies. Although widely described in adults, there are no large series describing the imaging findings in patients before adulthood. Knowledge of the findings seen in children and adolescents with PTEN-related hamartoma tumor syndrome can help guide further management and improve surveillance recommendations. OBJECTIVE To describe the spectrum of imaging abnormalities in pediatric patients with PTEN-related hamartoma tumor syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study conducted between January 2000 and October 2021 in three tertiary pediatric institutions evaluating the imaging findings in children and adolescents (≤ 18 years) with confirmed diagnoses of a PTEN mutation. For each patient, the imaging findings, histopathology reports, and at least a 2-year follow-up of clinical outcomes for non-operative cases were documented. RESULTS The cohort included 78 children (37 girls), with a mean age at diagnosis of 7.5 years (range 0 days to 18 years). Benign brain findings included enlarged Virchow-Robin perivascular spaces, white matter changes, developmental venous anomalies, and cerebellar hamartomas. Benign thyroid findings were common, but 5/45 (11.1%) with thyroid abnormalities had a malignant nodule. Soft tissue adipocytic tumors, GI/GU polyps, other soft tissue abnormalities, along with vascular anomalies in various anatomic locations were common. CONCLUSION Brain abnormalities, benign non-vascular soft tissue abnormalities, and vascular anomalies are commonly seen in children and adolescents with PTEN-related hamartoma tumor syndrome. However, malignancies involving the thyroid gland are not uncommon. Familiarity with the phenotype of PTEN-related hamartoma tumor syndrome in the pediatric population can improve diagnosis and prompt appropriate clinical surveillance of abnormal findings that warrant further management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Martinez-Rios
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Radiology, University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G1X8, Canada.
| | - Laura S De Leon Benedetti
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | | | - Ozge Aksel Kilicarslan
- Medical Imaging Department, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H8L1, Canada
| | - Pablo Caro-Dominguez
- Unidad de Radiologia Pediatrica, Servicio de Radiodiagnostico, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio Sevilla, Sevilla, 41013, Spain
| | - Hansel J Otero
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
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Martín-Valbuena J, Gestoso-Uzal N, Justel-Rodríguez M, Isidoro-García M, Marcos-Vadillo E, Lorenzo-Hernández SM, Criado-Muriel MC, Prieto-Matos P. PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome: Clinical and genetic characterization in pediatric patients. Childs Nerv Syst 2024; 40:1689-1697. [PMID: 38407606 PMCID: PMC11111493 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-024-06301-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to provide a full characterization of a cohort of 11 pediatric patients diagnosed with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS). PATIENTS AND METHODS Eleven patients with genetic diagnostic of PHTS were recruited between February 2019 and April 2023. Clinical, imaging, demographic, and genetic data were retrospectively collected from their hospital medical history. RESULTS Regarding clinical manifestations, macrocephaly was the leading sign, present in all patients. Frontal bossing was the most frequent dysmorphism. Neurological issues were present in most patients. Dental malformations were described for the first time, being present in 27% of the patients. Brain MRI showed anomalies in 57% of the patients. No tumoral lesions were present at the time of the study. Regarding genetics, 72% of the alterations were in the tensin-type C2 domain of PTEN protein. We identified four PTEN genetic alterations for the first time. CONCLUSIONS PTEN mutations appear with a wide variety of clinical signs and symptoms, sometimes associated with phenotypes which do not fit classical clinical diagnostic criteria for PHTS. We recommend carrying out a genetic study to establish an early diagnosis in children with significant macrocephaly. This facilitates personalized monitoring and enables anticipation of potential PHTS-related complications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nerea Gestoso-Uzal
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - María Isidoro-García
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain
- Clinical Biochemistry Department, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Elena Marcos-Vadillo
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain
- Clinical Biochemistry Department, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - M Carla Criado-Muriel
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain.
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Pablo Prieto-Matos
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Eng C, Kim A, Yehia L. Genomic diversity in functionally relevant genes modifies neurodevelopmental versus neoplastic risks in individuals with germline PTEN variants. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3734368. [PMID: 38168271 PMCID: PMC10760312 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3734368/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Individuals with germline PTEN variants (PHTS) have increased risks of the seemingly disparate phenotypes of cancer and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Etiology of the phenotypic variability remains elusive. Here, we hypothesized that decreased genomic diversity, manifested by increased homozygosity, may be one etiology. Comprehensive analyses of 376 PHTS patients of European ancestry revealed significant enrichment of homozygous common variants in genes involved in inflammatory processes in the PHTS-NDD group and in genes involved in differentiation and chromatin structure regulation in the PHTS-ASD group. Pathway analysis revealed pathways germane to NDD/ASD, including neuroinflammation and synaptogenesis. Collapsing analysis of the homozygous variants identified suggestive modifier NDD/ASD genes. In contrast, we found enrichment of homozygous ultra-rare variants in genes modulating cell death in the PHTS-cancer group. Finally, homozygosity burden as a predictor of ASD versus cancer outcomes in our validated prediction model for NDD/ASD performed favorably.
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Shelkowitz E, Stence NV, Neuberger I, Park KL, Saenz MS, Pao E, Oyama N, Friedman SD, Shaw DWW, Mirzaa GM. Variants in PTEN Are Associated With a Diverse Spectrum of Cortical Dysplasia. Pediatr Neurol 2023; 147:154-162. [PMID: 37619436 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.06.015] [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: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inactivating mutations in PTEN are among the most common causes of megalencephaly. Activating mutations in other nodes of the PI3K/AKT/MTOR signaling pathway are recognized as a frequent cause of cortical brain malformations. Only recently has PTEN been associated with cortical malformations, and analyses of their prognostic significance have been limited. METHODS Retrospective neuroimaging analysis and detailed chart review were conducted on 20 participants identified with pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutations in PTEN and a cortical brain malformation present on brain magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS Neuroimaging analysis revealed four main cerebral phenotypes-hemimegalencephaly, focal cortical dysplasia, polymicrogyria (PMG), and a less severe category, termed "macrocephaly with complicated gyral pattern" (MCG). Although a high proportion of participants (90%) had neurodevelopmental findings on presentation, outcomes varied and were favorable in over half of participants. Consistent with prior work, 39% of participants had autism spectrum disorder and 19% of participants with either pure-PMG or pure-MCG phenotypes had epilepsy. Megalencephaly and systemic overgrowth were common, but other systemic features of PTEN-hamartoma tumor syndrome were absent in over one-third of participants. CONCLUSIONS A spectrum of cortical dysplasias is present in individuals with inactivating mutations in PTEN. Future studies are needed to clarify the prognostic significance of each cerebral phenotype, but overall, we conclude that despite a high burden of neurodevelopmental disease, long-term outcomes may be favorable. Germline testing for PTEN mutations should be considered in cases of megalencephaly and cortical brain malformations even in the absence of other findings, including cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Shelkowitz
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
| | | | - Ilana Neuberger
- Department of Radiology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Kristen L Park
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | | | - Emily Pao
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | - Nora Oyama
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | - Seth D Friedman
- Department of Radiology, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Dennis W W Shaw
- Department of Radiology, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Ghayda M Mirzaa
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, Washington.
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Walton NA, Nguyen HH, Procknow SS, Johnson D, Anzelmi A, Jay PY. Repurposing Normal Chromosomal Microarray Data to Harbor Genetic Insights into Congenital Heart Disease. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1290. [PMID: 37887000 PMCID: PMC10604103 DOI: 10.3390/biology12101290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
About 15% of congenital heart disease (CHD) patients have a known pathogenic copy number variant. The majority of their chromosomal microarray (CMA) tests are deemed normal. Diagnostic interpretation typically ignores microdeletions smaller than 100 kb. We hypothesized that unreported microdeletions are enriched for CHD genes. We analyzed "normal" CMAs of 1762 patients who were evaluated at a pediatric referral center, of which 319 (18%) had CHD. Using CMAs from monozygotic twins or replicates from the same individual, we established a size threshold based on probe count for the reproducible detection of small microdeletions. Genes in the microdeletions were sequentially filtered by their nominal association with a CHD diagnosis, the expression level in the fetal heart, and the deleteriousness of a loss-of-function mutation. The subsequent enrichment for CHD genes was assessed using the presence of known or potentially novel genes implicated by a large whole-exome sequencing study of CHD. The unreported microdeletions were modestly enriched for both known CHD genes and those of unknown significance identified using their de novo mutation in CHD patients. Our results show that readily available "normal" CMA data can be a fruitful resource for genetic discovery and that smaller deletions should receive more attention in clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nephi A. Walton
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Hoang H. Nguyen
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA;
| | - Sara S. Procknow
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Darren Johnson
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Geisinger, Danville, PA 17822, USA
| | - Alexander Anzelmi
- Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Patrick Y. Jay
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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7
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Frazier TW, Busch RM, Klaas P, Lachlan K, Jeste S, Kolevzon A, Loth E, Harris J, Speer L, Pepper T, Anthony K, Graglia JM, Delagrammatikas CG, Bedrosian-Sermone S, Smith-Hicks C, Huba K, Longyear R, Green-Snyder L, Shic F, Sahin M, Eng C, Hardan AY, Uljarević M. Development of webcam-collected and artificial-intelligence-derived social and cognitive performance measures for neurodevelopmental genetic syndromes. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS. PART C, SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2023; 193:e32058. [PMID: 37534867 PMCID: PMC10543620 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.32058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
This study focused on the development and initial psychometric evaluation of a set of online, webcam-collected, and artificial intelligence-derived patient performance measures for neurodevelopmental genetic syndromes (NDGS). Initial testing and qualitative input was used to develop four stimulus paradigms capturing social and cognitive processes, including social attention, receptive vocabulary, processing speed, and single-word reading. The paradigms were administered to a sample of 375 participants, including 163 with NDGS, 56 with idiopathic neurodevelopmental disability (NDD), and 156 neurotypical controls. Twelve measures were created from the four stimulus paradigms. Valid completion rates varied from 87 to 100% across measures, with lower but adequate completion rates in participants with intellectual disability. Adequate to excellent internal consistency reliability (α = 0.67 to 0.95) was observed across measures. Test-retest reproducibility at 1-month follow-up and stability at 4-month follow-up was fair to good (r = 0.40-0.73) for 8 of the 12 measures. All gaze-based measures showed evidence of convergent and discriminant validity with parent-report measures of other cognitive and behavioral constructs. Comparisons across NDGS groups revealed distinct patterns of social and cognitive functioning, including people with PTEN mutations showing a less impaired overall pattern and people with SYNGAP1 mutations showing more attentional, processing speed, and social processing difficulties relative to people with NFIX mutations. Webcam-collected performance measures appear to be a reliable and potentially useful method for objective characterization and monitoring of social and cognitive processes in NDGS and idiopathic NDD. Additional validation work, including more detailed convergent and discriminant validity analyses and examination of sensitivity to change, is needed to replicate and extend these observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W Frazier
- Department of Psychology, John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Robyn M Busch
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Patricia Klaas
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Katherine Lachlan
- Human Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton and Wessex Clinical Genetics Service, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Shafali Jeste
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alexander Kolevzon
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Eva Loth
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Science, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Jacqueline Harris
- Department of Neurology, Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Tom Pepper
- PTEN Research Foundation, Cheltenham, UK
| | - Kristin Anthony
- PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome Foundation, Huntsville, Alabama, USA
| | | | | | | | - Constance Smith-Hicks
- Department of Neurology, Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Katie Huba
- Department of Psychology, John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio, USA
| | | | | | - Frederick Shic
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington and Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Charis Eng
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Antonio Y Hardan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Mirko Uljarević
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Caroleo AM, Rotulo S, Agolini E, Macchiaiolo M, Boccuto L, Antonelli M, Colafati GS, Cacchione A, Megaro G, Carai A, De Ioris MA, Lodi M, Tornesello A, Simone V, Torroni F, Cinalli G, Mastronuzzi A. SHH medulloblastoma and very early onset of bowel polyps in a child with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1228389. [PMID: 37692099 PMCID: PMC10483120 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1228389] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) is a cancer predisposition syndrome characterized by an increased risk of developing benign and malignant tumors, caused by germline pathogenic variants of the PTEN tumour suppressor gene. PTEN gene variants often present in childhood with macrocephaly, developmental delay, and/or autism spectrum disorder while tumors and intestinal polyps are commonly detected in adults. PHTS is rarely associated with childhood brain tumors with only two reported cases of medulloblastoma (MB). We report the exceptional case of an infant carrying a germline and somatic pathogenic variant of PTEN and a germline and somatic pathogenic variant of CHEK2 who developed a MB SHH in addition to intestinal polyposis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Caroleo
- Department of Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapy and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Rotulo
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Agolini
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Macchiaiolo
- Rare Diseases and Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Boccuto
- School of Nursing, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences Healthcare Genetics Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States
| | - Manila Antonelli
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Radiological, Oncological, and Pathological Anatomy Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Antonella Cacchione
- Department of Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapy and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomina Megaro
- Department of Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapy and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Carai
- Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta De Ioris
- Department of Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapy and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Lodi
- Department of Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapy and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Simone
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Ospedale Vito Fazzi, Lecce, Italy
| | - Filippo Torroni
- Digestive Endoscopy and Surgery Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cinalli
- Pediatric Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Santobono-Pausilipon Children’s Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapy and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
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Narvaiz DA, Nolan SO, Smith GD, Holley AJ, Reynolds CD, Blandin KJ, Nguyen PH, Tran DLK, Lugo JN. Rapamycin improves social and stereotypic behavior abnormalities induced by pre-mitotic neuronal subset specific Pten deletion. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2023:e12854. [PMID: 37376966 PMCID: PMC10393422 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is a signaling system integral to neural growth and migration. In both patients and rodent models, mutations to the phosphatase and tensin homolog gene (PTEN) on chromosome 10 results in hyperactivation of the mTOR pathway, as well as seizures, intellectual disabilities and autistic behaviors. Rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTOR, can reverse the epileptic phenotype of neural subset specific Pten knockout (NS-Pten KO) mice, but its impact on behavior is not known. To determine the behavioral effects of rapamycin, male and female NS-Pten KO and wildtype (WT) mice were assigned as controls or administered 10 mg/kg of rapamycin for 2 weeks followed by behavioral testing. Rapamycin improved social behavior in both genotypes and stereotypic behaviors in NS-Pten KO mice. Rapamycin treatment resulted in a reduction of several measures of activity in the open field test in both genotypes. Rapamycin did not reverse the reduced anxiety behavior in KO mice. These data show the potential clinical use of mTOR inhibitors by showing its administration can reduce the production of autistic-like behaviors in NS-Pten KO mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Narvaiz
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Suzanne O Nolan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Gregory D Smith
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Andrew J Holley
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Conner D Reynolds
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Katherine J Blandin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Phuoc H Nguyen
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Doan L K Tran
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Joaquin N Lugo
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
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10
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Vincenzi G, Petralia IT, Abbate M, Tarantola G, Meroni SLC, Maggiore R, Mari G, Patricelli MG, Schiavo Lena M, Barera G, Vigone MC. Case Report - Multinodular goiter in a patient with Congenital Hypothyroidism and Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome: the possible synergic role of TPO and PTEN mutation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1205785. [PMID: 37361526 PMCID: PMC10285479 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1205785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the case of a paediatric female patient affected by Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome (BRRS) and congenital hypothyroidism (CH) with homozygous mutation of the TPO gene. She underwent total thyroidectomy at the age of seven years because of the development of a multinodular goiter. BRRS patients present an increased risk of benign and malignant thyroid disease since childhood because of inactivating mutation of PTEN, an onco-suppressor gene. Instead, homozygous mutations in the TPO gene can be associated with severe forms of hypothyroidism with goiter; previous studies have described cases of follicular and papillary thyroid cancer in CH patients with TPO mutation despite a perfectly controlled thyroid function with Levothyroxine therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first case that describes the possible synergic role of coexisting mutation of both TPO and PTEN in the development of multinodular goiter underlining the importance of a tailored surveillance program in these patients, especially during childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Vincenzi
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrine Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilenia Teresa Petralia
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrine Unit, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Abbate
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrine Unit, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Tarantola
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrine Unit, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Riccardo Maggiore
- Department of Surgery, Endocrine Surgery Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Gilberto Mari
- Department of Surgery, Endocrine Surgery Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Graziano Barera
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrine Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Vigone
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrine Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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11
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Milani D, Dolci A, Muller I, Pavesi MA, Runza L, Kuhn E, Natacci F, Peissel B, Ricci MT, Despini L, Tomasello G, Grossi F, Garrone O, Gambini D. Thyroid findings in pediatric and adult patients with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome: A retrospective analysis, and literature review. Endocrine 2023:10.1007/s12020-023-03313-x. [PMID: 36690897 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-023-03313-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) comprises a group of rare genetic conditions caused by germline mutations in PTEN gene and characterized by development of both benign and malignant lesions in many body tissues. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the incidence of thyroid findings in both adult and pediatric PHTS patients. METHODS A retrospectively analysis conducted in 19 (13 adult and 6 pediatric) patients with PHTS, all confirmed with genetic testing, observed from 2015 to 2021 at the Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico. RESULTS We found a thyroid involvement in 12 adult patients (92%): 11 patients had benign lesions (85%) and the remaining developed a follicular thyroid carcinoma (8.3%). The median age at time of the first available record was 30 years. Among benign lesions, multinodular goiter was the most observed finding (10/11, 91%). Only 1 out of 6 (16%) pediatric patients was diagnosed with a thyroid lesion (unifocal lesion in mild lymphocytic thyroiditis) at the age of 8 years. CONCLUSIONS Thyroid disorders affected nearly all adult PHTS patients, but a much lower proportion of pediatric patients. We discuss about the natural history of thyroid involvement, age of PHTS clinical onset, and optimized surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Milani
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Dolci
- Endocrinology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Muller
- Endocrinology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Angela Pavesi
- Pediatric Radiology Service, Department of Radiology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Letterio Runza
- Pathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Kuhn
- Pathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Natacci
- Medical Genetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Bernard Peissel
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Ricci
- Unit of Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors, Department of Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Despini
- Breast Surgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca Tomasello
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Insubria, Asst Dei Sette Laghi, Varese, Italy
| | - Francesco Grossi
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Ornella Garrone
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Insubria, Asst Dei Sette Laghi, Varese, Italy
| | - Donatella Gambini
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Insubria, Asst Dei Sette Laghi, Varese, Italy.
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12
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Narvaiz DA, Sullens DG, Santana-Coelho D, Lugo JN. Neuronal subset-specific phosphatase and tensin homolog knockout mice exhibit age and brain region-associated alterations in microglia/macrophage activation. Neuroreport 2022; 33:476-480. [PMID: 35775322 PMCID: PMC9479702 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Seizures induce brain region-dependent enhancements in microglia/macrophage activation. Neuronal subset-specific phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) knockout (KO) mice display hyperactive mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and cortex followed by seizures that increase in severity with age. To determine if KO mice also exhibit alterations in the spatiotemporal activation pattern of microglia, we used flow cytometry to compare the percentage of major histocompatibility complex-II activated microglia/macrophages between KO and wildtype (WT) mice at 5, 10, and 15 weeks of age. At 5 weeks, microglia/macrophage activation was greater in the cortex, P < 0.001, cerebellum, P < 0.001, and hippocampus, P < 0.001, of KO compared to WT mice. At 10 weeks, activation was greatest in the cortex of KO mice, P < 0.001, in the cerebellum of WT mice, P < 0.001, but similar in the hippocampus, P > 0.05. By 15 weeks, activation in the hippocampus was more than 25 times greater in KO mice compared to WT mice, P < 0.001. We show that hyperactive mTOR signaling is associated with an altered spatiotemporal pattern of microglia/macrophage activation in the brain and induces an enhanced neuroimmune response in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Narvaiz
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798 USA
| | - D. Gregory Sullens
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798 USA
| | | | - Joaquin N. Lugo
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798 USA
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798 USA
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798 USA
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13
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Case Series: Neurobehavioral Profile of Adolescents with PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC NEUROPSYCHOLOGY 2022; 8:79-85. [PMID: 37090027 PMCID: PMC10117704 DOI: 10.1007/s40817-022-00124-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Background PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS) is a rare genetic condition caused by germline mutations in the phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) gene with a phenotype that includes macrocephaly, cancer predisposition, developmental delay, increased risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and learning difficulties. Studies characterizing neurobehavioral profiles are limited. Methods This single-site, retrospective case series was completed in children who have PHTS followed in a cancer predisposition clinic. Demographic and clinical, data were abstracted from the medical record for 12 patients (mean age at clinic entry = 8.83 years; 42% female). Neuropsychological data were abstracted for 3 of 12 patients that were referred for testing (17-year-old female with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]; 15-year-old male with academic concerns and ASD, 12-year-old male with academic concerns). Results Of the 12 patients, macrocephaly was present in 100%, 58% had developmental delays during early childhood, and 17% had an ASD diagnosis. Results from neuropsychological testing showed Borderline to Average range global intellectual functioning (Standard Score range: 77 to 95) along with deficits in non-verbal reasoning, visual-motor integration, math achievement, and caregiver-rated adaptive skills. Conclusion Individuals with PHTS may present with cognitive difficulties that impact everyday functioning, with or without a neurodevelopmental diagnosis. Routine neurocognitive assessment should be considered in management guidelines.
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Cummings K, Watkins A, Jones C, Dias R, Welham A. Behavioural and psychological features of PTEN mutations: a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder characteristics. J Neurodev Disord 2022; 14:1. [PMID: 34983360 PMCID: PMC8903687 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-021-09406-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) is a cancer suppressor gene. Constitutional mutations affecting this gene are associated with several conditions, collectively termed PTEN hamartoma tumour syndromes (PHTS). In addition to hamartomas, PTEN aberrations have been associated with a range of non-tumoural phenotypes such as macrocephaly, and research indicates possibly increased rates of developmental delay and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for people with germline mutations affecting PTEN. METHOD A systematic review of literature reporting behavioural and psychological variables for people with constitutional PTEN mutations/PHTS was conducted using four databases. Following in-depth screening, 25 articles met the inclusion criteria and were used in the review. Fourteen papers reported the proportion of people with PTEN mutations/PTHS meeting criteria for or having characteristics of ASD and were thus used in a pooled prevalence meta-analysis. RESULTS Meta-analysis using a random effects model estimated pooled prevalence of ASD characteristics at 25% (95% CI 16-33%), although this should be interpreted cautiously due to possible biases in existing literature. Intellectual disability and developmental delay (global, motor and speech and language) were also reported frequently. Emotional difficulties and impaired cognitive functioning in specific domains were noted but assessed/reported less frequently. Methods of assessment of psychological/behavioural factors varied widely (with retrospective examination of medical records common). CONCLUSIONS Existing research suggests approximately 25% of people with constitutional PTEN mutations may meet criteria for or have characteristics of ASD. Studies have also begun to establish a range of possible cognitive impairments in affected individuals, especially when ASD is also reported. However, further large-scale studies are needed to elucidate psychological/behavioural corollaries of this mutation, and how they may relate to physiological/physical characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Cummings
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, Lancaster Road, Leicester, LE1 7HA UK
| | - Alice Watkins
- Neuropsychology Service, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, WC1N 3JH UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK
| | - Chris Jones
- Department of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK
| | - Renuka Dias
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Birmingham Women’s, and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, UK B4 6NH
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston Birmingham, UK B15 2TT
| | - Alice Welham
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, Lancaster Road, Leicester, LE1 7HA UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK
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15
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Tuli G, Munarin J, Mussa A, Carli D, Gastaldi R, Borgia P, Vigone MC, Abbate M, Ferrero GB, De Sanctis L. "Thyroid nodular disease and PTEN mutation in a multicentre series of children with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS)". Endocrine 2021; 74:632-637. [PMID: 34184188 PMCID: PMC8571202 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-021-02805-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To report the incidence of 4-12% of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and up to 50% of benign thyroid nodular disease and to describe nodular thyroid disease in a multicentre pediatric population with PTEN mutations. METHODS Retrospective data of pediatric patients with PTEN mutations collected from tertiary Departments of Pediatric Endocrinology of Turin, Milan and Genua, Italy, in the period 2010-2020. RESULTS Seventeen children with PTEN mutations were recruited in the study. Thyroid involvement was present in 12/17 (70.6%) subjects, showing a multinodular struma in 6/17 (35.3%), nodules with benign ultrasound features in 5/17 (29.4%) and a follicular adenoma in 1/17 (6%). No correlation was found between thyroid disease and gender, puberty, vascular manifestations, delayed development, or brain MRI abnormalities, while multiple lipomas were associated with thyroid disease (p = 0.03), as was macrocephaly. Standard Deviation (SD) score head circumference was 4.35 ± 1.35 cm in subjects with thyroid disease, 3 ± 0.43 cm (p = 0.02) in the group without thyroid disease. Thyroid involvement was present in all subjects with mutations in exon 6 (4/4) and exon 8 (3/3) of the PTEN gene (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION In the presented cohort, benign thyroid disorders were prevalent, with no evidence of DTC. A correlation was found between thyroid lesions and head circumference and the occurrence of multiple lipomas. Future studies in larger cohorts should assess whether risk stratification is needed when recommending surveillance strategies in children or young adolescents with PTEN hamartoma syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerdi Tuli
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Regina Margherita Children Hospital, Turin, Italy.
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Jessica Munarin
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Regina Margherita Children Hospital, Turin, Italy
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mussa
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Diana Carli
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Paola Borgia
- Department of Paediatrics Gaslini Hospital, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Marco Abbate
- Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Luisa De Sanctis
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Regina Margherita Children Hospital, Turin, Italy
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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16
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Frewer V, Gilchrist CP, Collins SE, Williams K, Seal ML, Leventer RJ, Amor DJ. A systematic review of brain MRI findings in monogenic disorders strongly associated with autism spectrum disorder. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2021; 62:1339-1352. [PMID: 34426966 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research on monogenic forms of autism spectrum disorder (autism) can inform our understanding of genetic contributions to the autism phenotype; yet, there is much to be learned about the pathways from gene to brain structure to behavior. This systematic review summarizes and evaluates research on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in monogenic conditions that have strong association with autism. This will improve understanding of the impact of genetic variability on brain structure and related behavioral traits in autism. METHODS The search strategy for this systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Risk of bias (ROB) assessment was completed on included studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scales. RESULTS Of 4,287 studies screened, 69 were included pertaining to 13 of the top 20 genes with the strongest association with autism. The greatest number of studies related to individuals with PTEN variants and autism. Brain MRI abnormalities were reported for 12 of the 13 genes studied, and in 51.7% of participants across all 13 genes, including 100% of participants with ARID1B variants. Specific MRI findings were highly variable, with no clear patterns emerging within or between the 13 genes, although white matter abnormalities were the most common. Few studies reported specific details about methods for acquisition and processing of brain MRI, and descriptors for brain abnormalities were variable. ROB assessment indicated high ROB for all studies, largely due to small sample sizes and lack of comparison groups. CONCLUSIONS Brain abnormalities are common in this population of individuals, in particular, children; however, a range of different brain abnormalities were reported within and between genes. Directions for future neuroimaging research in monogenic autism are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Frewer
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Courtney P Gilchrist
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Neurodevelopment in Health and Disease, RMIT University, Bundoora, Vic., Australia
| | - Simonne E Collins
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,School of Psychological Sciences, Turner Institute for Brain & Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Katrina Williams
- Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Marc L Seal
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Richard J Leventer
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - David J Amor
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Vic., Australia
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17
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Uljarević M, Frazier TW, Rached G, Busch RM, Klaas P, Srivastava S, Martinez-Agosto JA, Sahin M, Eng C, Hardan AY. Toward better characterization of restricted and repetitive behaviors in individuals with germline heterozygous PTEN mutations. Am J Med Genet A 2021; 185:3401-3410. [PMID: 34423884 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62458] [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: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to further our understanding of restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRB) among individuals with germline pathogenic mutations in PTEN by providing multimethod characterization and comparison of key RRB subdomains across individuals with PTEN mutations with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (PTEN-ASD), with PTEN mutations without ASD (PTEN-No ASD) and with ASD and macrocephaly but without PTEN mutations (Macro-ASD). Of 86 total research participants, 38 had PTEN-ASD (Mage = 8.93 years, SDage = 4.75), 25 Macro-ASD (Mage = 11.99 years; SDage = 5.15), and 23 PTEN-No ASD (Mage = 8.94 years; SDage = 4.85). The Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) were used as measures of distinct RRB domains. There were significant group differences in the RBS-R repetitive motor behaviors (RMB; F = 4.52, p = 0.014, ω2 = 0.08), insistence on sameness (IS; F = 4.11, p = 0.02, ω2 = 0.05), and circumscribed interests (CI; F = 7.80, p = 0.001, ω2 = 0.14) scales. Post hoc comparisons showed that the PTEN-No ASD group had significantly lower RMB, IS, and CI scores compared to both PTEN-ASD and Macro-ASD groups. Importantly, PTEN-No ASD group still showed elevated RRB levels. Furthermore, there was a portion of individuals in PTEN-No ASD group whose Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) was >70 that did not show floor level scores in the RMB domain. After adjusting for age and FSIQ scores, group differences were no longer statistically significant. RMB, IS, and CI domains showed distinct association patterns with sex, age, and FSIQ. This investigation provides the largest and most comprehensive characterization of distinct RRB domains in individuals with PTEN mutations to date. Despite the limitations, our findings have important assessment and treatment implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Uljarević
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thomas W Frazier
- Department of Psychology, John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio, USA.,Autism Speaks, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Robyn M Busch
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Patricia Klaas
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Siddharth Srivastava
- Department of Neurology, Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Julian A Martinez-Agosto
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- Department of Neurology, Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Charis Eng
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Antonio Y Hardan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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18
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Kosillo P, Bateup HS. Dopaminergic Dysregulation in Syndromic Autism Spectrum Disorders: Insights From Genetic Mouse Models. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:700968. [PMID: 34366796 PMCID: PMC8343025 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.700968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by altered social interaction and communication, and repetitive, restricted, inflexible behaviors. Approximately 1.5-2% of the general population meet the diagnostic criteria for ASD and several brain regions including the cortex, amygdala, cerebellum and basal ganglia have been implicated in ASD pathophysiology. The midbrain dopamine system is an important modulator of cellular and synaptic function in multiple ASD-implicated brain regions via anatomically and functionally distinct dopaminergic projections. The dopamine hypothesis of ASD postulates that dysregulation of dopaminergic projection pathways could contribute to the behavioral manifestations of ASD, including altered reward value of social stimuli, changes in sensorimotor processing, and motor stereotypies. In this review, we examine the support for the idea that cell-autonomous changes in dopaminergic function are a core component of ASD pathophysiology. We discuss the human literature supporting the involvement of altered dopamine signaling in ASD including genetic, brain imaging and pharmacologic studies. We then focus on genetic mouse models of syndromic neurodevelopmental disorders in which single gene mutations lead to increased risk for ASD. We highlight studies that have directly examined dopamine neuron number, morphology, physiology, or output in these models. Overall, we find considerable support for the idea that the dopamine system may be dysregulated in syndromic ASDs; however, there does not appear to be a consistent signature and some models show increased dopaminergic function, while others have deficient dopamine signaling. We conclude that dopamine dysregulation is common in syndromic forms of ASD but that the specific changes may be unique to each genetic disorder and may not account for the full spectrum of ASD-related manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polina Kosillo
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Helen S. Bateup
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, United States
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19
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Kaymakcalan H, Kaya İ, Cevher Binici N, Nikerel E, Özbaran B, Görkem Aksoy M, Erbilgin S, Özyurt G, Jahan N, Çelik D, Yararbaş K, Yalçınkaya L, Köse S, Durak S, Ercan-Sencicek AG. Prevalence and clinical/molecular characteristics of PTEN mutations in Turkish children with autism spectrum disorders and macrocephaly. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2021; 9:e1739. [PMID: 34268892 PMCID: PMC8404225 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1739] [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: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) germline mutations are associated with cancer syndromes (PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome; PHTS) and in pediatric patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and macrocephaly. The exact prevalence of PTEN mutations in patients with ASD and macrocephaly is uncertain; with prevalence rates ranging from 1% to 17%. Most studies are retrospective and contain more adult than pediatric patients, there is a need for more prospective pediatric studies. Methods We recruited 131 patients (108 males, 23 females) with ASD and macrocephaly between the ages of 3 and 18 from five child and adolescent psychiatry clinics in Turkey from July 2018 to December 2019. We defined macrocephaly as occipito‐frontal HC size at or greater than 2 standard deviations (SD) above the mean for age and sex on standard growth charts. PTEN gene sequence analysis was performed using a MiSeq next generation sequencing (NGS) platform, (Illumina). Conclusion PTEN gene sequence analyses identified three pathogenic/likely pathogenic mutations [NM_000314.6; p.(Pro204Leu), (p.Arg233*) and novel (p.Tyr176Cys*8)] and two variants of uncertain significance (VUS) [NM_000314.6; p.(Ala79Thr) and c.*10del]. We also report that patient with (p.Tyr176Cys*8) mutation has Grade 1 hepatosteatosis, a phenotype not previously described. This is the first PTEN prevalence study of patients with ASD and macrocephaly in Turkey and South Eastern Europe region with a largest homogenous cohort. The prevalence of PTEN mutations was found 3.8% (VUS included) or 2.29% (VUS omitted). We recommend testing for PTEN mutations in all patients with ASD and macrocephaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hande Kaymakcalan
- Pediatric Genetics Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Demiroglu Bilim University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - İlyas Kaya
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nagihan Cevher Binici
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Dr Behcet Uz Child Disease and Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Emrah Nikerel
- Department of Bioinformatics, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Burcu Özbaran
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Görkem Aksoy
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Seda Erbilgin
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gonca Özyurt
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Izmir Katip Celebi University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Noor Jahan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Didem Çelik
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Kanay Yararbaş
- Department of Medical Genetics, Demiroglu Bilim University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Leyla Yalçınkaya
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University Faculty of Science, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sezen Köse
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sibel Durak
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Dr Behcet Uz Child Disease and Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Adife Gulhan Ercan-Sencicek
- Masonic Medical Research Institute, Utica, New York, USA.,Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Program on Neurogenetics, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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20
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Arnett AB, Wang T, Eichler EE, Bernier RA. Reflections on the genetics-first approach to advancements in molecular genetic and neurobiological research on neurodevelopmental disorders. J Neurodev Disord 2021; 13:24. [PMID: 34148555 PMCID: PMC8215789 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-021-09371-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID), are common diagnoses with highly heterogeneous phenotypes and etiology. The genetics-first approach to research on NDDs has led to the identification of hundreds of genes conferring risk for ASD, ID, and related symptoms. MAIN BODY Although relatively few individuals with NDDs share likely gene-disruptive (LGD) mutations in the same gene, characterization of overlapping functions, protein networks, and temporospatial expression patterns among these genes has led to increased understanding of the neurobiological etiology of NDDs. This shift in focus away from single genes and toward broader gene-brain-behavior pathways has been accelerated by the development of publicly available transcriptomic databases, cell type-specific research methods, and sequencing of non-coding genomic regions. CONCLUSIONS The genetics-first approach to research on NDDs has advanced the identification of critical protein function pathways and temporospatial expression patterns, expanding the impact of this research beyond individuals with single-gene mutations to the broader population of patients with NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne B Arnett
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, CHDD, Box 357920, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Tianyun Wang
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Evan E Eichler
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Raphael A Bernier
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, CHDD, Box 357920, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
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21
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The role of PTEN signaling in synaptic function: Implications in autism spectrum disorder. Neurosci Lett 2021; 759:136015. [PMID: 34111509 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) regulates several cellular processes including survival, proliferation, and metabolism. In the brain, PTEN is a key modulator of synaptic function, and is involved in regulating synaptogenesis, connectivity, and synaptic plasticity. Herein we discuss how alterations in PTEN can disturb these mechanisms, thus compromising normal synaptic function and consequently contributing to behavioral and cognitive phenotypes observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). As the role of PTEN in synaptic function is linked to ASD, a deeper understanding of this interaction will shed light on the pathological mechanisms involved in ASD, contributing to the development of new therapies.
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22
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Baran JA, Tsai SD, Isaza A, Brodeur GM, MacFarland SP, Zelley K, Adams DM, Franco AT, Bauer AJ. The Clinical Spectrum of PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome: Exploring the Value of Thyroid Surveillance. Horm Res Paediatr 2021; 93:634-642. [PMID: 33887726 PMCID: PMC8159851 DOI: 10.1159/000515731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) comprises a collection of clinical features characterized by constitutional variants in PTEN. Several guidelines recommend thyroid screening, beginning at the pediatric age at the time of PHTS diagnosis; however, the benefits of early surveillance has not been well defined. METHODS We conducted a retrospective investigation of patients followed up at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia with a diagnosis of PHTS between January 2003 and June 2019. In total, 81 patients younger than 19 years were identified. RESULTS The most common clinical feature at presentation was macrocephaly (85.1%), followed by impaired development (42.0%), skin/oral lesions (30.9%), and autism spectrum disorder (27.2%). A total of 58 of 81 patients underwent thyroid surveillance, with 30 patients (51.7%) found to have a nodule(s). Ultimately, 16 patients underwent thyroidectomy, with 7.4% (6/81) diagnosed with thyroid cancer. All thyroid cancer patients were older than 10 years at diagnosis, and all displayed low-invasive behavior. Of the patients younger than 10 years at the time of thyroid ultrasound (US) surveillance, 71.4% (15/21) had a normal US. The remaining 6 patients had thyroid nodules, including 4 undergoing thyroid surgery with benign histology. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION Patients with macrocephaly, impaired cognitive development and thyroid nodules, and/or early-onset gastrointestinal polyps should undergo constitutional testing for PHTS. There does not appear to be a clinical advantage to initiating thyroid US surveillance before 10 years of age. In PHTS patients with a normal physical examination, thyroid US surveillance can be delayed until 10 years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia A Baran
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Thyroid Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Steven D Tsai
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amber Isaza
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Thyroid Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Garrett M Brodeur
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Cancer Predisposition Program, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Suzanne P MacFarland
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Cancer Predisposition Program, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kristin Zelley
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Cancer Predisposition Program, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Denise M Adams
- Comprehensive Vascular Anomalies Program, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Aime T Franco
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Thyroid Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Andrew J Bauer
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Thyroid Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Cancer Predisposition Program, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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23
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Sabir A, Parry G, Heaton T, Ong KR. Cowden syndrome: new clinical features in a large family; joint hyperextensibility, dental abnormalities and gingival enlargement. BMJ Case Rep 2021; 14:14/3/e236768. [PMID: 33692038 PMCID: PMC7949425 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-236768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
A 4-year-old boy presented with his mother to genetics in the 1980s, with a family history (FH) of macrocephaly and intellectual disability (ID). He remained undiagnosed until his mother developed multiple cancers and was diagnosed with Cowden syndrome (CS) in 2017, a rare, multisystem cancer predisposition syndrome. CS was then confirmed in multiple family members. Clinical examination revealed potentially novel features; gingival enlargement, dental abnormalities and joint hyperextensibility. These features could contribute to revised PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, minor diagnostic criteria. The paediatric CS phenotype is still emerging and features expressed in this family during childhood could potentially aid paediatric diagnosis. This case reminds clinicians to seek genetic input for PTEN testing when macrocephaly is identified alongside, a personal or FH of ID, early-onset tumours (especially breast, bowel or thyroid) or multiple tumours. Thus detailed FH is pivotal to earlier CS diagnosis and improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ataf Sabir
- Clinical Genetics Department, Guy's King's College and Saint Thomas' Hospitals' Medical and Dental School of King's College London, London, UK .,Clinical Genetics Department, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Gabriella Parry
- Department of Medicine, Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, UK
| | - Tricia Heaton
- Clinical Genetics Department, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Kai Ren Ong
- Clinical Genetics Department, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
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24
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Uljarević M, Frazier TW, Rached G, Busch RM, Klaas P, Srivastava S, Martinez-Agosto JA, Sahin M, Eng C, Hardan AY. Brief Report: Role of Parent-Reported Executive Functioning and Anxiety in Insistence on Sameness in Individuals with Germline PTEN Mutations. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:414-422. [PMID: 33595755 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-04881-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to characterize the relationship between insistence on sameness (IS), executive functioning (EF) and anxiety among individuals with PTEN mutations and individuals with macrocephalic ASD. The sample included 38 individuals with PTEN mutation and ASD diagnosis (PTEN-ASD; Mage = 8.93 years, SDage = 4.75), 23 with PTEN mutation without ASD (PTEN-no ASD; Mage = 8.94 years; SDage = 4.85) and 25 with ASD and macrocephaly but with no PTEN mutation (Macro-ASD; Mage = 11.99 years; SDage = 5.15). The final model accounted for 45.7% of variance in IS, with Set-Shifting EF subdomain as a unique independent predictor (t = 4.12, p < 0.001). This investigation provides the first preliminary evidence for the EF-anxiety-IS interrelationship in individuals with PTEN mutations and with macrocephalic ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Uljarević
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia.
| | - Thomas W Frazier
- Department of Psychology, John Carroll University, University Heights, OH, USA
| | | | - Robyn M Busch
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Patricia Klaas
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Siddharth Srivastava
- Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Julian A Martinez-Agosto
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Charis Eng
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Antonio Y Hardan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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25
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Frazier TW, Jaini R, Busch RM, Wolf M, Sadler T, Klaas P, Hardan AY, Martinez-Agosto JA, Sahin M, Eng C. Cross-level analysis of molecular and neurobehavioral function in a prospective series of patients with germline heterozygous PTEN mutations with and without autism. Mol Autism 2021; 12:5. [PMID: 33509259 PMCID: PMC7841880 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00406-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background PTEN is a well-established risk gene for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Yet, little is known about how PTEN mutations and associated molecular processes influence neurobehavioral function in mutation carriers with (PTEN-ASD) and without ASD (PTEN no-ASD). The primary aim of the present study was to examine group differences in peripheral blood-derived PTEN pathway protein levels between PTEN-ASD, PTEN no-ASD, and idiopathic macrocephalic ASD patients (macro-ASD). Secondarily, associations between protein levels and neurobehavioral functions were examined in the full cohort.
Methods Patients were recruited at four tertiary medical centers. Peripheral blood-derived protein levels from canonical PTEN pathways (PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK) were analyzed using Western blot analyses blinded to genotype and ASD status. Neurobehavioral measures included standardized assessments of global cognitive ability and multiple neurobehavioral domains. Analysis of variance models examined group differences in demographic, neurobehavioral, and protein measures. Bivariate correlations, structural models, and statistical learning procedures estimated associations between molecular and neurobehavioral variables. To complement patient data, Western blots for downstream proteins were generated to evaluate canonical PTEN pathways in the PTEN-m3m4 mouse model.
Results Participants included 61 patients (25 PTEN-ASD, 16 PTEN no-ASD, and 20 macro-ASD). Decreased PTEN and S6 were observed in both PTEN mutation groups. Reductions in MnSOD and increases in P-S6 were observed in ASD groups. Elevated neural P-AKT/AKT and P-S6/S6 from PTEN murine models parallel our patient observations. Patient PTEN and AKT levels were independently associated with global cognitive ability, and p27 expression was associated with frontal sub-cortical functions. As a group, molecular measures added significant predictive value to several neurobehavioral domains over and above PTEN mutation status. Limitations Sample sizes were small, precluding within-group analyses. Protein and neurobehavioral data were limited to a single evaluation. A small number of patients were excluded with invalid protein data, and cognitively impaired patients had missing data on some assessments. Conclusions Several canonical PTEN pathway molecules appear to influence the presence of ASD and modify neurobehavioral function in PTEN mutation patients. Protein assays of the PTEN pathway may be useful for predicting neurobehavioral outcomes in PTEN patients. Future longitudinal analyses are needed to replicate these findings and evaluate within-group relationships between protein and neurobehavioral measures. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02461446
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W Frazier
- Department of Psychology, John Carroll University, University Heights, OH, 44118, USA. .,Autism Speaks, Cleveland, OH, USA. .,Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA.
| | - Ritika Jaini
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Robyn M Busch
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA.,Department of Neurology and Epilepsy Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Matthew Wolf
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Tammy Sadler
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Patricia Klaas
- Department of Neurology and Epilepsy Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Antonio Y Hardan
- Department of Child Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | | | - Mustafa Sahin
- Translational Neurosciences Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Charis Eng
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA. .,Center for Personalized Genetic Healthcare, Cleveland Clinic Community Care and Population Health, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA. .,Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA. .,Cleveland Clinic Genomic Medicine Institute, 9500 Euclid Avenue, NE-50, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA.
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26
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Accogli A, Geraldo AF, Piccolo G, Riva A, Scala M, Balagura G, Salpietro V, Madia F, Maghnie M, Zara F, Striano P, Tortora D, Severino M, Capra V. Diagnostic Approach to Macrocephaly in Children. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:794069. [PMID: 35096710 PMCID: PMC8795981 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.794069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrocephaly affects up to 5% of the pediatric population and is defined as an abnormally large head with an occipitofrontal circumference (OFC) >2 standard deviations (SD) above the mean for a given age and sex. Taking into account that about 2-3% of the healthy population has an OFC between 2 and 3 SD, macrocephaly is considered as "clinically relevant" when OFC is above 3 SD. This implies the urgent need for a diagnostic workflow to use in the clinical setting to dissect the several causes of increased OFC, from the benign form of familial macrocephaly and the Benign enlargement of subarachnoid spaces (BESS) to many pathological conditions, including genetic disorders. Moreover, macrocephaly should be differentiated by megalencephaly (MEG), which refers exclusively to brain overgrowth, exceeding twice the SD (3SD-"clinically relevant" megalencephaly). While macrocephaly can be isolated and benign or may be the first indication of an underlying congenital, genetic, or acquired disorder, megalencephaly is most likely due to a genetic cause. Apart from the head size evaluation, a detailed family and personal history, neuroimaging, and a careful clinical evaluation are crucial to reach the correct diagnosis. In this review, we seek to underline the clinical aspects of macrocephaly and megalencephaly, emphasizing the main differential diagnosis with a major focus on common genetic disorders. We thus provide a clinico-radiological algorithm to guide pediatricians in the assessment of children with macrocephaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Accogli
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ana Filipa Geraldo
- Diagnostic Neuroradiology Unit, Imaging Department, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Gianluca Piccolo
- Pediatric Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Antonella Riva
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marcello Scala
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ganna Balagura
- Pediatric Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Pediatric Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesca Madia
- Pediatric Clinic and Endocrinology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mohamad Maghnie
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Pediatric Clinic and Endocrinology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Zara
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Pediatric Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Domenico Tortora
- Neuroradiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Capra
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
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27
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Steele M, Uljarević M, Rached G, Frazier TW, Phillips JM, Libove RA, Busch RM, Klaas P, Martinez-Agosto JA, Srivastava S, Eng C, Sahin M, Hardan AY. Psychiatric Characteristics Across Individuals With PTEN Mutations. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:672070. [PMID: 34489750 PMCID: PMC8418135 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.672070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline heterozygous PTEN mutations have been associated with high prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and elevated rates and severity of broadly defined behavioral problems. However, limited progress has been made toward understanding whether PTEN mutation is associated with specific psychiatric co-morbidity profiles when compared to idiopathic ASD. The current study aimed to utilize a cross-measure approach to compare concurrent psychiatric characteristics across children and adolescents with PTEN mutation with (PTEN-ASD; n = 38) and without ASD (PTEN-No ASD; n = 23), and ASD with macrocephaly but no PTEN mutation (macro-ASD; n = 25) using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). There were significant group effects for the CBCL Internalizing and Externalizing broad symptom score, the majority of specific CBCL syndrome scores, and all ABC subscale scores. Post-hoc comparisons revealed greater behavioral symptoms in the ASD groups (PTEN-ASD and macro-ASD) compared to the PTEN-no ASD group on nearly all subtest scores examined. There were no statistically significant differences between the PTEN-ASD and macro-ASD groups; however, there was a trend for the macro-ASD group showing higher levels of aggressive behaviors. Our findings provide evidence of specific behavior profiles across PTEN-No ASD, PTEN-ASD, and macro-ASD groups and highlight the importance of early identification of behavioral vulnerabilities in individuals with PTEN mutations in order to provide access to appropriate evidence-based interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Steele
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Mirko Uljarević
- The School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Gaëlle Rached
- Saint Joseph University, Faculty of Medicine, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Thomas W Frazier
- Autism Speaks, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Psychology, John Carroll University, University Heights, OH, United States
| | - Jennifer M Phillips
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Robin A Libove
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Robyn M Busch
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Cleveland, OH, United States.,Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Patricia Klaas
- Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Julian A Martinez-Agosto
- Departments of Human Genetics, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Siddharth Srivastava
- Translational Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Charis Eng
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Cleveland, OH, United States.,Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- Department of Neurology, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Antonio Y Hardan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
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28
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Gurunathan A, Ricci K, Iacobas I, Rednam SP, Wusik K, Fei L, Hammilll AM. Impact of vascular anomalies on the PTEN phenotype in children and young adults. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2020; 67:e28258. [PMID: 32196895 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.28258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Germline PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) mutations lead to inappropriate cell survival and growth, and a predisposition to multiple cancers. Some patients also have vascular anomalies (VAs), and it is unclear whether these patients have different phenotypes or oncologic risks. We conducted a two-institution retrospective cohort study to better understand the phenotypes of children and young adults with PTEN mutations, and to compare individuals with VA to those without. Almost half of the patients had thyroid tumors and nearly one quarter developed gastrointestinal tumors before 30 years of age. The presence of VA was positively associated with bulky overgrowth but did not appear to modify oncologic risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Gurunathan
- Department of Pediatrics, Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington
| | - Kiersten Ricci
- Division of Hematology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Ionela Iacobas
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Surya P Rednam
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Katie Wusik
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Lin Fei
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Adrienne M Hammilll
- Division of Hematology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
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29
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Isik E, Simsir OS, Solmaz AE, Onay H, Atik T, Aykut A, Durmaz A, Cogulu O, Ozkinay F. Clinical and molecular aspects of
PTEN
mutations in 10 pediatric patients. Ann Hum Genet 2020; 84:324-330. [DOI: 10.1111/ahg.12380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Esra Isik
- Subdivision of Pediatric Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ege University Izmir Turkey
| | - Ozguc Semih Simsir
- Subdivision of Pediatric Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ege University Izmir Turkey
| | - Asli Ece Solmaz
- Department of Medical Genetics Faculty of Medicine, Ege University Izmir Turkey
| | - Huseyin Onay
- Department of Medical Genetics Faculty of Medicine, Ege University Izmir Turkey
| | - Tahir Atik
- Subdivision of Pediatric Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ege University Izmir Turkey
| | - Ayca Aykut
- Department of Medical Genetics Faculty of Medicine, Ege University Izmir Turkey
| | - Asude Durmaz
- Department of Medical Genetics Faculty of Medicine, Ege University Izmir Turkey
| | - Ozgur Cogulu
- Subdivision of Pediatric Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ege University Izmir Turkey
- Department of Medical Genetics Faculty of Medicine, Ege University Izmir Turkey
| | - Ferda Ozkinay
- Subdivision of Pediatric Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ege University Izmir Turkey
- Department of Medical Genetics Faculty of Medicine, Ege University Izmir Turkey
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Yehia L, Seyfi M, Niestroj LM, Padmanabhan R, Ni Y, Frazier TW, Lal D, Eng C. Copy Number Variation and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Germline PTEN Mutations. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3:e1920415. [PMID: 32003824 PMCID: PMC7042875 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.20415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE PTEN is among the most common autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-predisposition genes. Germline PTEN mutation carriers can develop malignant neoplasms and/or neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD and developmental delay. Why a single gene contributes to disparate clinical outcomes, even in patients with identical PTEN mutations, remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association of copy number variations (CNVs), altered numbers of copies of DNA sequences within the genome, with specific phenotypes in patients with germline PTEN mutations. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This prospective cohort study examined genome-wide microarrays performed on blood-derived DNA to detect germline CNVs from September 1, 2005, through January 3, 2018. Multicenter accrual occurred from community and academic medical centers throughout North America, South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Participants included patients with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) (n = 481), molecularly defined as carrying germline pathogenic PTEN mutations. Data were analyzed from November 14, 2018, to August 1, 2019. EXPOSURES Detection of CNVs from patient-derived germline DNA. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Prevalence of pathogenic and/or likely pathogenic CNVs in patients with PHTS and association with ASD/developmental delay and/or cancer, ascertained through medical records and pathology reports. RESULTS The study included 481 patients with PHTS (mean [SD] age, 33.2 [21.6] years; 268 female [55.7%]). The analytic series consisted of 309 patients with PHTS and genetically determined European ancestry. Patients were divided into 3 phenotypic groups, excluding family members within each group. These include 110 patients with ASD/developmental delay, 194 without ASD/developmental delay, and 121 with cancer (of whom 116 were in the no ASD/developmental delay group). Genome-wide evaluation of autosomal CNVs indicated an increased CNV burden, particularly duplications in genic regions, in patients with ASD/developmental delay compared with those without ASD/developmental delay (odds ratio [OR], 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.4; P = .03) and those with cancer (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3-4.6; P = .003). Eleven of the 110 patients (10.0%) with ASD/developmental delay carried pathogenic and/or likely pathogenic CNVs associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, compared with 5 of 194 (2.6%) without ASD/developmental delay (OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.4-13.7; P = .008) and 2 of 121 (1.7%) with cancer (OR, 6.6; 95% CI, 1.6-44.5; P = .007). Evidence of an association between pathogenic and/or likely pathogenic CNVs and PHTS with ASD/developmental delay was further supported in a validation series of 69 patients with PHTS of genetically determined non-European ancestry. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE These findings suggest that copy number variations are associated with the ASD/developmental delay clinical phenotype in PHTS, providing proof of principle for similarly heterogeneous disorders lacking outcome-specific associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamis Yehia
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Marilyn Seyfi
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | | | - Roshan Padmanabhan
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Ying Ni
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Thomas W. Frazier
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
- Autism Speaks, Cleveland, Ohio
- Department of Psychology, John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio
| | - Dennis Lal
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
- Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Epilepsy Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Charis Eng
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
- Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
- Germline High Risk Cancer Focus Group, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
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Mosaic PTEN alteration in the neural crest during embryogenesis results in multiple nervous system hamartomas. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:191. [PMID: 31796102 PMCID: PMC6892231 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0841-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The contribution of mosaic alterations to tumors of the nervous system and to non-malignant neurological diseases has been unmasked thanks to the development of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies. We report here the case of a young patient without any remarkable familial medical history who was first referred at 7 years of age, for an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) of Asperger type, not associated with macrocephaly. The patient subsequently presented at 10 years of age with multiple nodular lesions located within the trigeminal, facial and acoustic nerve ganglia and at the L3 level. Histological examination of this latter lesion revealed a glioneuronal hamartoma, exhibiting heterogeneous PTEN immunoreactivity, astrocyte and endothelial cell nuclei expressing PTEN, but not ganglion cells. NGS performed on the hamartoma allowed the detection of a PTEN pathogenic variant in 30% of the reads. The presence of this variant in the DNA extracted from blood and buccal swabs in 3.5 and 11% of the NGS reads, respectively, confirmed the mosaic state of the PTEN variant. The anatomical distribution of the lesions suggests that the mutational event affecting PTEN occurred in neural crest progenitors, thus explaining the absence of macrocephaly. This report shows that mosaic alteration of PTEN may result in multiple central and peripheral nervous system hamartomas and that the presence of such alteration should be considered in patients with multiple nervous system masses, even in the absence of cardinal features of PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome, especially macrocephaly.
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Chiari I malformation in defined genetic syndromes in children: are there common pathways? Childs Nerv Syst 2019; 35:1727-1739. [PMID: 31363831 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-019-04319-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Chiari malformation type I (CMI) is a common pediatric neurologic anomaly that can be associated with a variety of genetic disorders; however, it is not always clear whether the observed associations are real or random. The knowledge of the real associations could provide useful guidance to clinicians. Furthermore, it could be of help to better understand the still unknown genetic etiology of CMI. METHODS With the aim of implementing such insights, we retrospectively reviewed clinical, neuroradiological, and genetic data of patients harboring CMI evaluated at the Child Neurology Unit of our institution between January 2008 and December 2018. RESULTS The cohort consists of 205 patients (111 males and 94 females), with a mean age at diagnosis of 6.3 years (range 0-18 years). 188 patients completed an average follow-up period of 5.2 years (range one month-18 years). Mean age at last assessment was 11.4 years (range nine months-23 years). 127 (62%) children have been classified as syndromic due to the presence of neurodevelopmental disorders, phenotypic anomalies, or malformations. Among syndromic CMI children, a molecular diagnosis was identified in 35/127 (27.6%) (20 males and 15 females). The most common diagnoses were syndromic craniosynostosis in 8/35 children (22.9%), among which sevenare FGFR-related and one ERF-related craniosynostosis; disorders of the RAS/MAPK pathway, termed RASopathies or RAS/MAPK syndromes in 9/35 (25.7%); disorders of the PTEN-PI3K/AKT signal transduction cascade, termed PTENopathies in 3/35 children (8.6%); and chromosomal rearrangements in 6/35 patients (17.1%), two of whom with del16p11.2. CONCLUSIONS We polarized our attention on the defined genetic diagnoses focusing not only on the phenotypic hallmarks but also on the phenotypic overlapping features. In addition, we discussed the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to progressive cerebellar ectopia and the involved molecular pathways. Along with the recent literature evidence, we suppose that interactions between FGFR and RAS/MAPK pathway and between RAS/MAPK and PTEN-PI3K/AKT pathways could explain some phenotypic overlapping features and could have a significant role in the pathogenesis of CMI.
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Frazier TW. Autism Spectrum Disorder Associated with Germline Heterozygous PTEN Mutations. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2019; 9:a037002. [PMID: 31307976 PMCID: PMC6771360 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a037002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
This review examines our current understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), its prevalence, impact, behavioral treatment, and outcomes. Building on this knowledge, ASD associated with PTEN mutations is introduced and recent human studies of neurobehavioral and neuroimaging findings in patients with PTEN mutations with and without ASD are reviewed. In doing so, we present evidence supporting a model of PTEN loss leading to neurobehavioral deficits, including ASD and intellectual disability. Next, we describe the neurobehavioral spectrum observed across PTEN mutation cases, adding specificity where possible, based on data from recent studies of child and adult PTEN patients. Finally, we end with a discussion of potential clinical recommendations for improving interventions and supports for people with PTEN-ASD and future research avenues for understanding and treating the functional and cognitive deficits in PTEN-ASD.
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Abstract
PTEN is a tumor suppressor gene that classically dampens the PI3K/AKT/mTOR growth-promoting signaling cascade. PTEN dysfunction causes dysregulation of this and other pathways, resulting in overgrowth. Cowden syndrome, a hereditary cancer predisposition and overgrowth disorder, was the first Mendelian condition associated with germline PTEN mutations. Since then, significant advances by the research and medical communities have elucidated how clinical phenotypic manifestations result from the underlying germline PTEN mutations. With time, it became evident that PTEN mutations can result in a broad phenotypic spectrum, causing seemingly disparate disorders from cancer to autism. Hence, the umbrella term of PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) was coined. Timely diagnosis and understanding the natural history of PHTS are vital because early recognition enables gene-informed management, particularly as related to high-risk cancer surveillance and addressing the neurodevelopmental symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamis Yehia
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA; , ,
| | - Emma Keel
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA; , ,
| | - Charis Eng
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA; , , .,Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.,Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA.,Germline High Risk Cancer Focus Group, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
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Phenotype-Driven Diagnostic of PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome: Macrocephaly, But Neither Height nor Weight Development, Is the Important Trait in Children. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11070975. [PMID: 31336731 PMCID: PMC6679020 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11070975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) encompasses different syndromic disorders which are associated with autosomal-dominant mutations of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN. Patients are at high risk to develop benign and malignant tumors. Macrocephaly is a diagnostic feature, but there is a paucity of data on auxological development during childhood. Growth charts for height, weight and head circumference for PHTS do not exist yet. In this study, patient data for height, weight and head circumferences (HC) were collected from repeated medical exams or prevention check-up visits starting at birth. Growth charts were generated and compared to German reference data. Standard deviation scores (SDS) of HC, height and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. We included 23 pediatric patients (8 female, 15 male) with molecular proven PTEN gene mutation. Most male patients already demonstrated macrocephaly at birth (73%), whereas only one female patient had documented congenital macrocephaly. By the age of two years all patients exhibited a head circumference above the 97th percentile. Stratified for different age groups the median HC-SDSs were between +3.3 and +5.5 in male patients and between +2.9 and +4.1 in female patients. Height, weight and BMI measurements for both sexes were mostly within the normal range. We conclude that macrocephaly, but not height, weight or BMI, is useful in the identification of PHTS patients. The increased HC in PHTS patients develops early in life and is more pronounced in males than in females, which might explain the finding of a higher percentage of male PHTS patients diagnosed during childhood.
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Pilarski R. PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome: A Clinical Overview. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11060844. [PMID: 31216739 PMCID: PMC6627214 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11060844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) is a grouping of related genetic disorders that has been linked to germline mutations in the PTEN gene. These disorders include Cowden syndrome (CS), Bannayan–Riley–Ruvalcaba syndrome, adult Lhermitte–Duclos disease, and autism spectrum disorders associated with macrocephaly. The majority of the clinical information available on PHTS, however, is related to individuals diagnosed with CS. There is still much to be learned about this disorder, since diagnostic criteria for CS were only established in 1996, before the identification of the PTEN gene, and were based primarily on features seen in cases reported in the existing literature. More recently, however, data from several large series of patients have shown that a number of the clinical features associated with PTEN mutations are either more or less common than previously reported. In addition, we now know that only about 30–35% of patients meeting clinical diagnostic criteria for Cowden syndrome actually have a detectable PTEN mutation. Thus, our understanding of PTEN-related diseases and their management has evolved significantly over time. The United States National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has produced and regularly updates practice guidelines which include clinical diagnostic criteria as well as guidelines for PTEN testing and management of patients with mutations. This review will summarize the overall literature on PHTS as well as recent findings which are broadening our understanding of this set of disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Pilarski
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43221, USA.
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