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Chen Y, Liu A, Zhang X, Ma X, Sun D, Tian X, Wu W, Zeng Q, Jiang Y, Zhang Y. Seizure course of PCDH19 clustering epilepsy in female children: A multicentre cohort study in China. Dev Med Child Neurol 2024; 66:804-815. [PMID: 37960945 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the seizure course of PCDH19 clustering epilepsy (PCDH19-CE) in a cohort of female children in China. METHOD This ambidirectional cohort study examined 113 female patients with PCDH19-CE through multicentre collaboration. Prognostic factors for seizure freedom were evaluated by multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS The median seizure course period from seizure onset was 6 years 6 months. Of 113 patients, 78% and 56% experienced seizure freedom for at least 1 year and at least 2 years respectively. In patients younger than 5 years (n = 30), 5 to 10 years (n = 52), and older than 10 years (n = 31), 57%, 81%, and 94% experienced at least 1 year of seizure freedom, and 32%, 52%, and 84% experienced at least 2 years of seizure freedom, respectively. However, 58% (65 out of 113) relapsed at least once after more than 1 year of seizure freedom without trigger exposure (40%) or because of common triggers, including fever (43%) and antiseizure medication (ASM) reduction (29%). There was an 84% risk of seizure relapse after ASM reduction attempts. The likelihood of seizure freedom decreased with early age at seizure onset and developmental delay. INTERPRETATION Patients with PCDH19-CE exhibit increasing seizure freedom with age, but there is a risk of relapse. ASM reduction in children younger than 10 years old requires caution. Patients with early seizure onset and developmental delay have a reduced chance of seizure freedom. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS The seizure freedom rate in PCDH19 clustering epilepsy gradually increases with age. The disease course is characterized by relapsing-remitting seizures. Antiseizure medication reduction requires caution for patients younger than 10 years of age. Patients with early seizure onset and developmental delay are less likely to achieve seizure freedom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Aijie Liu
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zheng Zhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiuwei Ma
- Department of Neurology, Bayi Children's Hospital, General Military Hospital of Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Sun
- Department of Neurology, Wuhan Children's Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaojuan Tian
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjuan Wu
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Qi Zeng
- Department of Neurology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuwu Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuehua Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
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Kowkabi S, Yavarian M, Kaboodkhani R, Mohammadi M, Shervin Badv R. PCDH19-clustering epilepsy, pathophysiology and clinical significance. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 154:109730. [PMID: 38521028 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109730] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
PCDH19 clustering epilepsy (PCDH19-CE) is an X-linked epilepsy disorder associated with intellectual disability (ID) and behavioral disturbances, which is caused by PCDH19 gene variants. PCDH19 pathogenic variant leads to epilepsy in heterozygous females, not in hemizygous males and the inheritance pattern is unusual. The hypothesis of cellular interference was described as a key pathogenic mechanism. According to that, males do not develop the disease because of the uniform expression of PCDH19 (variant or wild type) unless they have a somatic variation. We conducted a literature review on PCDH19-CE pathophysiology and concluded that other significant mechanisms could contribute to pathogenesis including: asymmetric cell division and heterochrony, female-related allopregnanolone deficiency, altered steroid gene expression, decreased Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor A (GABAA) function, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. Being aware of these mechanisms helps us when we should decide which therapeutic option is more suitable for which patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safoura Kowkabi
- Child Neurology Division and Children's Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, Children's Medical Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Majid Yavarian
- Hematology Research Center, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | | | - Mahmood Mohammadi
- Child Neurology Division and Children's Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, Children's Medical Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Shervin Badv
- Child Neurology Division and Children's Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, Children's Medical Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Ye ZL, Yan HJ, Guo QH, Zhang SQ, Luo S, Lian YJ, Ma YQ, Lu XG, Liu XR, Shen NX, Gao LD, Chen Z, Shi YW. NEXMIF variants are associated with epilepsy with or without intellectual disability. Seizure 2024; 116:93-99. [PMID: 37643945 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Variants in NEXMIF had been reported associated with intellectual disability (ID) without epilepsy or developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). It is unkown whether NEXMIF variants are associated with epilepsy without ID. This study aims to explore the phenotypic spectrum of NEXMIF and the genotype-phenotype correlations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Trio-based whole-exome sequencing was performed in patients with epilepsy. Previously reported NEXMIF variants were systematically reviewed to analyze the genotype-phenotype correlations. RESULTS Six variants were identified in seven unrelated cases with epilepsy, including two de novo null variants and four hemizygous missense variants. The two de novo variants were absent in all populations of gnomAD and four hemizygous missense variants were absent in male controls of gnomAD. The two patients with de novo null variants exhibited severe developmental epileptic encephalopathy. While, the patients with hemizygous missense variants had mild focal epilepsy with favorable outcome. Analysis of previously reported cases revealed that males with missense variants presented significantly higher percentage of normal intellectual development and later onset age of seizure than those with null variants, indicating a genotype-phenotype correlation. CONCLUSION This study suggested that NEXMIF variants were potentially associated with pure epilepsy with or without intellectual disability. The spectrum of epileptic phenotypes ranged from the mild epilepsy to severe developmental epileptic encephalopathy, where the epileptic phenotypes variability are potentially associated with patients' gender and variant type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Long Ye
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Hong-Jun Yan
- Epilepsy Center, Guangdong 999 Brain Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing-Hui Guo
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shu-Qian Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Sheng Luo
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Ya-Jun Lian
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yun-Qing Ma
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xin-Guo Lu
- Epilepsy Center and Department of Neurology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiao-Rong Liu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Nan-Xiang Shen
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Liang-Di Gao
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Zheng Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yi-Wu Shi
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
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van Eyk CL, Fahey MC, Gecz J. Redefining cerebral palsies as a diverse group of neurodevelopmental disorders with genetic aetiology. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:542-555. [PMID: 37537278 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00847-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral palsy is a clinical descriptor covering a diverse group of permanent, non-degenerative disorders of motor function. Around one-third of cases have now been shown to have an underlying genetic aetiology, with the genetic landscape overlapping with those of neurodevelopmental disorders including intellectual disability, epilepsy, speech and language disorders and autism. Here we review the current state of genomic testing in cerebral palsy, highlighting the benefits for personalized medicine and the imperative to consider aetiology during clinical diagnosis. With earlier clinical diagnosis now possible, we emphasize the opportunity for comprehensive and early genomic testing as a crucial component of the routine diagnostic work-up in people with cerebral palsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare L van Eyk
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Michael C Fahey
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jozef Gecz
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
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Tran MTMT, Kuo FC, Low JT, Chuang YM, Sultana S, Huang WL, Lin ZY, Lin GL, Wu CF, Li SS, Suen JL, Hung CH, Wu MT, Chan MWY. Prenatal DEHP exposure predicts neurological disorders via transgenerational epigenetics. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7399. [PMID: 37149698 PMCID: PMC10164151 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34661-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent experimental and observational research has suggested that childhood allergic asthma and other conditions may be the result of prenatal exposure to environmental contaminants, such as di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). In a previous epidemiological study, we found that ancestral exposure (F0 generation) to endocrine disruptors or the common plasticizer DEHP promoted allergic airway inflammation via transgenerational transmission in mice from generation F1 to F4. In the current study, we employed a MethylationEPIC Beadchip microarray to examine global DNA methylation in the human placenta as a function of maternal exposure to DEHP during pregnancy. Interestingly, global DNA hypomethylation was observed in placental DNA following exposure to DEHP at high concentrations. Bioinformatic analysis confirmed that DNA methylation affected genes related to neurological disorders, such as autism and dementia. These results suggest that maternal exposure to DEHP may predispose offspring to neurological diseases. Given the small sample size in this study, the potential role of DNA methylation as a biomarker to assess the risk of these diseases deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mita T M T Tran
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, 621, Taiwan
- Epigenomics and Human Disease Research Center, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
- Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society (CIRAS), National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Chen Kuo
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jie-Ting Low
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, 621, Taiwan
- Epigenomics and Human Disease Research Center, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ming Chuang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, 621, Taiwan
- Epigenomics and Human Disease Research Center, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
- Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society (CIRAS), National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
| | - Sofia Sultana
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, 621, Taiwan
- Epigenomics and Human Disease Research Center, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
- Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society (CIRAS), National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Long Huang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, 621, Taiwan
- Epigenomics and Human Disease Research Center, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
- Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society (CIRAS), National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
| | - Zhe-Young Lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
| | - Guan-Ling Lin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, 621, Taiwan
- Epigenomics and Human Disease Research Center, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
- Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society (CIRAS), National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Fang Wu
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- International Master Program of Translational Medicine, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Sih-Syuan Li
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jau-Ling Suen
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hsing Hung
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tsang Wu
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- PhD Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Room 721, CS Building, No.100, Shih-Chuan 1St Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan.
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| | - Michael W Y Chan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, 168 University Road, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, 621, Taiwan.
- Epigenomics and Human Disease Research Center, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan.
- Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society (CIRAS), National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan.
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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Alaverdian D, Corradi AM, Sterlini B, Benfenati F, Murru L, Passafaro M, Brunetti J, Meloni I, Mari F, Renieri A, Frullanti E. Modelling PCDH19 clustering epilepsy by Neurogenin 2 induction of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. Epileptic Disord 2023. [PMID: 37186408 DOI: 10.1002/epd2.20065] [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: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loss of function mutations in PCDH19 gene cause an X-linked, infant-onset clustering epilepsy, associated with intellectual disability and autistic features. The unique pattern of inheritance includes random X-chromosome inactivation, which leads to pathological tissue mosaicism. Females carrying PCDH19 mutations are affected, while males have normal phenotype. No cure is presently available for this disease. METHODS Fibroblasts from a female patient carrying frameshift mutation were reprogrammed into human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC). To create a cell model of PCDH19-clustering epilepsy (PCDH19-CE) where both cell populations co-exist, we created mosaic neurons by mixing wild-type (WT) and mutated (mut) human iPSC clones, and differentiated them into mature neurons with overexpression of the transcriptional factor Neurogenin 2. RESULTS We generated functional neurons from patient-derived iPSC using a rapid and efficient method of differentiation through overexpression of Neurogenin 2. Was revealed an accelerated maturation and higher arborisation in the mutated neurons, while the mosaic neurons showed the highest frequency of action potential firing and hyperexcitability features, compared to mutated and WT neurons. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide evidence that PCDH19 c.2133delG mutation affects proper metaphases with increased numbers of centrosomes in stem cells and accelerates neuronal maturation in premature cells. PCDH19 mosaic neurons showed an elevated excitability, representing the situation in PCDH19-CE brain. We suggest an Ngn-2 hiPSC-derived PCDH19 neurons as an informative experimental tool for understanding the pathogenesis of PCDH19-CE and a suitable approach for use in targeted drug screening strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Alaverdian
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Margherita Corradi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Physiology, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Bruno Sterlini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Physiology, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Murru
- Institute of Neuroscience, IN-CNR, 20129, Milan, Italy
- NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, Università Milano-Bicocca, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Passafaro
- Institute of Neuroscience, IN-CNR, 20129, Milan, Italy
- NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, Università Milano-Bicocca, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Jlenia Brunetti
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Meloni
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Mari
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Renieri
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Elisa Frullanti
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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7
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Charalambous M, Fischer A, Potschka H, Walker MC, Raedt R, Vonck K, Boon P, Lohi H, Löscher W, Worrell G, Leeb T, McEvoy A, Striano P, Kluger G, Galanopoulou AS, Volk HA, Bhatti SFM. Translational veterinary epilepsy: A win-win situation for human and veterinary neurology. Vet J 2023; 293:105956. [PMID: 36791876 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.105956] [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: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a challenging multifactorial disorder with a complex genetic background. Our current understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of epilepsy has substantially increased due to animal model studies, including canine studies, but additional basic and clinical research is required. Drug-resistant epilepsy is an important problem in both dogs and humans, since seizure freedom is not achieved with the available antiseizure medications. The evaluation and exploration of pharmacological and particularly non-pharmacological therapeutic options need to remain a priority in epilepsy research. Combined efforts and sharing knowledge and expertise between human medical and veterinary neurologists are important for improving the treatment outcomes or even curing epilepsy in dogs. Such interactions could offer an exciting approach to translate the knowledge gained from people and rodents to dogs and vice versa. In this article, a panel of experts discusses the similarities and knowledge gaps in human and animal epileptology, with the aim of establishing a common framework and the basis for future translational epilepsy research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marios Charalambous
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover 30559, Germany.
| | - Andrea Fischer
- Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich 80539, Germany
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich 80539, Germany
| | - Matthew C Walker
- Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3JD, UK
| | - Robrecht Raedt
- Department of Neurology, 4brain, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Kristl Vonck
- Department of Neurology, 4brain, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Paul Boon
- Department of Neurology, 4brain, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Hannes Lohi
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, and Folkhälsan Research Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover 30559, Germany
| | | | - Tosso Leeb
- Institute of Genetics, University of Bern, Bern 3001, Switzerland
| | - Andrew McEvoy
- Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3JD, UK
| | - Pasquale Striano
- IRCCS 'G. Gaslini', Genova 16147, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Gerhard Kluger
- Research Institute, Rehabilitation, Transition-Palliation', PMU Salzburg, Salzburg 5020, Austria; Clinic for Neuropediatrics and Neurorehabilitation, Epilepsy Center for Children and Adolescents, Schoen Clinic Vogtareuth, Vogtareuth 83569, Germany
| | - Aristea S Galanopoulou
- Saul R Korey Department of Neurology, Isabelle Rapin Division of Child Neurology, Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Holger A Volk
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover 30559, Germany
| | - Sofie F M Bhatti
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Small Animal Department, Ghent University, Merelbeke 9820, Belgium
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8
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Pancho A, Mitsogiannis MD, Aerts T, Dalla Vecchia M, Ebert LK, Geenen L, Noterdaeme L, Vanlaer R, Stulens A, Hulpiau P, Staes K, Van Roy F, Dedecker P, Schermer B, Seuntjens E. Modifying PCDH19 levels affects cortical interneuron migration. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:887478. [PMID: 36389226 PMCID: PMC9642031 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.887478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
PCDH19 is a transmembrane protein and member of the protocadherin family. It is encoded by the X-chromosome and more than 200 mutations have been linked to the neurodevelopmental PCDH-clustering epilepsy (PCDH19-CE) syndrome. A disturbed cell-cell contact that arises when random X-inactivation creates mosaic absence of PCDH19 has been proposed to cause the syndrome. Several studies have shown roles for PCDH19 in neuronal proliferation, migration, and synapse function, yet most of them have focused on cortical and hippocampal neurons. As epilepsy can also be caused by impaired interneuron migration, we studied the role of PCDH19 in cortical interneurons during embryogenesis. We show that cortical interneuron migration is affected by altering PCDH19 dosage by means of overexpression in brain slices and medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) explants. We also detect subtle defects when PCDH19 expression was reduced in MGE explants, suggesting that the dosage of PCDH19 is important for proper interneuron migration. We confirm this finding in vivo by showing a mild reduction in interneuron migration in heterozygote, but not in homozygote PCDH19 knockout animals. In addition, we provide evidence that subdomains of PCDH19 have a different impact on cell survival and interneuron migration. Intriguingly, we also observed domain-dependent differences in migration of the non-targeted cell population in explants, demonstrating a non-cell-autonomous effect of PCDH19 dosage changes. Overall, our findings suggest new roles for the extracellular and cytoplasmic domains of PCDH19 and support that cortical interneuron migration is dependent on balanced PCDH19 dosage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pancho
- Developmental Neurobiology Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Manuela D. Mitsogiannis
- Developmental Neurobiology Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tania Aerts
- Developmental Neurobiology Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marco Dalla Vecchia
- Laboratory for NanoBiology, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Molecular Signaling and Cell Death Unit, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lena K. Ebert
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Cologne Cluster of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Ageing-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lieve Geenen
- Developmental Neurobiology Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lut Noterdaeme
- Developmental Neurobiology Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ria Vanlaer
- Developmental Neurobiology Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anne Stulens
- Developmental Neurobiology Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paco Hulpiau
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Inflammation Research Center, VIB, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- BioInformatics Knowledge Center (BiKC), Howest University of Applied Sciences, Bruges, Belgium
| | - Katrien Staes
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Inflammation Research Center, VIB, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frans Van Roy
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Inflammation Research Center, VIB, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Dedecker
- Laboratory for NanoBiology, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bernhard Schermer
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Cologne Cluster of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Ageing-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Eve Seuntjens
- Developmental Neurobiology Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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9
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Inherited Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies. Neurol Int 2021; 13:555-568. [PMID: 34842787 PMCID: PMC8628919 DOI: 10.3390/neurolint13040055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Epileptic encephalopathies often have a genetic etiology. The epileptic activity itself exerts a direct detrimental effect on neurodevelopment, which may add to the cognitive impairment induced by the underlying mutation (“developmental and epileptic encephalopathy”). The focus of this review is on inherited syndromes. The phenotypes of genetic disorders affecting ion channels, metabolic signalling, membrane trafficking and exocytosis, cell adhesion, cell growth and proliferation are discussed. Red flags suggesting family of genes or even specific genes are highlighted. The knowledge of the phenotypical spectrum can indeed prompt the clinician to suspect specific etiologies, expediting the diagnosis.
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10
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Hudson JD, Tamilselvan E, Sotomayor M, Cooper SR. A complete Protocadherin-19 ectodomain model for evaluating epilepsy-causing mutations and potential protein interaction sites. Structure 2021; 29:1128-1143.e4. [PMID: 34520737 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Cadherin superfamily members play a critical role in differential adhesion during neurodevelopment, and their disruption has been linked to several neurodevelopmental disorders. Mutations in protocadherin-19 (PCDH19), a member of the δ-protocadherin subfamily of cadherins, cause a unique form of epilepsy called PCDH19 clustering epilepsy. While PCDH19 and other non-clustered δ-protocadherins form multimers with other members of the cadherin superfamily to alter adhesiveness, the specific protein surfaces responsible for these interactions are unknown. Only portions of the PCDH19 extracellular domain structure had been solved previously. Here, we present a structure of the missing segment from zebrafish Protocadherin-19 (Pcdh19) and create a complete ectodomain model. This model shows the structural environment for 97% of disease-causing missense mutations and reveals two potential surfaces for intermolecular interactions that could modify Pcdh19's adhesive strength and specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Hudson
- Department of Science and Mathematics, Cedarville University, 251 N. Main Street, Cedarville, OH 45314, USA
| | - Elakkiya Tamilselvan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, 484 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Marcos Sotomayor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, 484 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Sharon R Cooper
- Department of Science and Mathematics, Cedarville University, 251 N. Main Street, Cedarville, OH 45314, USA.
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11
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Ye Z, Bennett MF, Bahlo M, Scheffer IE, Berkovic SF, Perucca P, Hildebrand MS. Cutting edge approaches to detecting brain mosaicism associated with common focal epilepsies: implications for diagnosis and potential therapies. Expert Rev Neurother 2021; 21:1309-1316. [PMID: 34519595 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2021.1981288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mosaic variants arising in brain tissue are increasingly being recognized as a hidden cause of focal epilepsy. This knowledge gain has been driven by new, highly sensitive genetic technologies and genome-wide analysis of brain tissue from surgical resection or autopsy in a small proportion of patients with focal epilepsy. Recently reported novel strategies to detect mosaic variants limited to brain have exploited trace brain DNA obtained from cerebrospinal fluid liquid biopsies or stereo-electroencephalography electrodes. AREAS COVERED The authors review the data on these innovative approaches published in PubMed before 12 June 2021, discuss the challenges associated with their application, and describe how they are likely to improve detection of mosaic variants to provide new molecular diagnoses and therapeutic targets for focal epilepsy, with potential utility in other nonmalignant neurological disorders. EXPERT OPINION These cutting-edge approaches may reveal the hidden genetic etiology of focal epilepsies and provide guidance for precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zimeng Ye
- Department of Medicine (Austin Health), Epilepsy Research Centre, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Mark F Bennett
- Department of Medicine (Austin Health), Epilepsy Research Centre, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Australia.,Population Health and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Melanie Bahlo
- Population Health and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Ingrid E Scheffer
- Department of Medicine (Austin Health), Epilepsy Research Centre, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Samuel F Berkovic
- Department of Medicine (Austin Health), Epilepsy Research Centre, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Piero Perucca
- Department of Medicine (Austin Health), Epilepsy Research Centre, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia.,Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Neurology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | - Michael S Hildebrand
- Department of Medicine (Austin Health), Epilepsy Research Centre, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
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12
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Cellular and Behavioral Characterization of Pcdh19 Mutant Mice: subtle Molecular Changes, Increased Exploratory Behavior and an Impact of Social Environment. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0510-20.2021. [PMID: 34272258 PMCID: PMC8362684 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0510-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the X-linked cell adhesion protein PCDH19 lead to seizures, cognitive impairment, and other behavioral comorbidities when present in a mosaic pattern. Neither the molecular mechanisms underpinning this disorder nor the function of PCDH19 itself are well understood. By combining RNA in situ hybridization with immunohistochemistry and analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing datasets, we reveal Pcdh19 expression in cortical interneurons and provide a first account of the subtypes of neurons expressing Pcdh19/PCDH19, both in the mouse and the human cortex. Our quantitative analysis of the Pcdh19 mutant mouse exposes subtle changes in cortical layer composition, with no major alterations of the main axonal tracts. In addition, Pcdh19 mutant animals, particularly females, display preweaning behavioral changes, including reduced anxiety and increased exploratory behavior. Importantly, our experiments also reveal an effect of the social environment on the behavior of wild-type littermates of Pcdh19 mutant mice, which show alterations when compared with wild-type animals not housed with mutants.
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13
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Carvill GL, Matheny T, Hesselberth J, Demarest S. Haploinsufficiency, Dominant Negative, and Gain-of-Function Mechanisms in Epilepsy: Matching Therapeutic Approach to the Pathophysiology. Neurotherapeutics 2021; 18:1500-1514. [PMID: 34648141 PMCID: PMC8608973 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-021-01137-z] [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: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes the pathogenic mechanisms that underpin the monogenic epilepsies and discusses the potential of novel precision therapeutics to treat these disorders. Pathogenic mechanisms of epilepsy include recessive (null alleles), haploinsufficiency, imprinting, gain-of-function, and dominant negative effects. Understanding which pathogenic mechanism(s) that underlie each genetic epilepsy is pivotal to design precision therapies that are most likely to be beneficial for the patient. Novel therapeutics discussed include gene therapy, gene editing, antisense oligonucleotides, and protein replacement. Discussions are illustrated and reinforced with examples from the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma L Carvill
- Departments of Neurology, Pharmacology and Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tyler Matheny
- Department Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado, PO Box 6511, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jay Hesselberth
- Department Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado, PO Box 6511, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Scott Demarest
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
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14
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Xu YX, Zhong JM. [Early identification and diagnosis of epilepsy related to fever sensitivity]. ZHONGGUO DANG DAI ER KE ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY PEDIATRICS 2021; 23:749-754. [PMID: 34266536 PMCID: PMC8292662 DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2105007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Febrile seizures are the most common nervous system disease in childhood, and most children have a good prognosis. However, some epilepsy cases are easily induced by fever and are characterized by "fever sensitivity", and it is difficult to differentiate such cases from febrile seizures. Epilepsy related to fever sensitivity includes hereditary epilepsy with febrile seizures plus, Dravet syndrome, and PCDH19 gene-related epilepsy. This article mainly describes the clinical manifestations of these three types of epilepsy and summarizes their clinical features in the early stage of disease onset, so as to achieve early identification, early diagnosis, and early intervention to improve prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xin Xu
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Jian-Min Zhong
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital, Nanchang 330006, China
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15
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Borghi R, Magliocca V, Petrini S, Conti LA, Moreno S, Bertini E, Tartaglia M, Compagnucci C. Dissecting the Role of PCDH19 in Clustering Epilepsy by Exploiting Patient-Specific Models of Neurogenesis. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10132754. [PMID: 34201522 PMCID: PMC8268119 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10132754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PCDH19-related epilepsy is a rare genetic disease caused by defective function of PCDH19, a calcium-dependent cell–cell adhesion protein of the cadherin superfamily. This disorder is characterized by a heterogeneous phenotypic spectrum, with partial and generalized febrile convulsions that are gradually increasing in frequency. Developmental regression may occur during disease progression. Patients may present with intellectual disability (ID), behavioral problems, motor and language delay, and a low motor tone. In most cases, seizures are resistant to treatment, but their frequency decreases with age, and some patients may even become seizure-free. ID generally persists after seizure remission, making neurological abnormalities the main clinical issue in affected individuals. An effective treatment is lacking. In vitro studies using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) reported accelerated neural differentiation as a major endophenotype associated with PCDH19 mutations. By using this in vitro model system, we show that accelerated in vitro neurogenesis is associated with a defect in the cell division plane at the neural progenitors stage. We also provide evidence that altered PCDH19 function affects proper mitotic spindle orientation. Our findings identify an altered equilibrium between symmetric versus asymmetric cell division as a previously unrecognized mechanism contributing to the pathogenesis of this rare epileptic encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Borghi
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.T.)
- Department of Science, University “Roma Tre”, 00146 Rome, Italy;
| | - Valentina Magliocca
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.T.)
- Department of Science, University “Roma Tre”, 00146 Rome, Italy;
| | - Stefania Petrini
- Confocal Microscopy Core Facility, Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (L.A.C.)
| | - Libenzio Adrian Conti
- Confocal Microscopy Core Facility, Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (L.A.C.)
| | - Sandra Moreno
- Department of Science, University “Roma Tre”, 00146 Rome, Italy;
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Claudia Compagnucci
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.T.)
- Correspondence:
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16
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Pham DH, Pitman MR, Kumar R, Jolly LA, Schulz R, Gardner AE, de Nys R, Heron SE, Corbett MA, Kothur K, Gill D, Rajagopalan S, Kolc KL, Halliday BJ, Robertson SP, Regan BM, Kirsch HE, Berkovic SF, Scheffer IE, Pitson SM, Petrovski S, Gecz J. Integrated in silico and experimental assessment of disease relevance of PCDH19 missense variants. Hum Mutat 2021; 42:1030-1041. [PMID: 34082468 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
PCDH19 is a nonclustered protocadherin molecule involved in axon bundling, synapse function, and transcriptional coregulation. Pathogenic variants in PCDH19 cause infantile-onset epilepsy known as PCDH19-clustering epilepsy or PCDH19-CE. Recent advances in DNA-sequencing technologies have led to a significant increase in the number of reported PCDH19-CE variants, many of uncertain significance. We aimed to determine the best approaches for assessing the disease relevance of missense variants in PCDH19. The application of the American College of Medical Genetics and Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG-AMP) guidelines was only 50% accurate. Using a training set of 322 known benign or pathogenic missense variants, we identified MutPred2, MutationAssessor, and GPP as the best performing in silico tools. We generated a protein structural model of the extracellular domain and assessed 24 missense variants. We also assessed 24 variants using an in vitro reporter assay. A combination of these tools was 93% accurate in assessing known pathogenic and benign PCDH19 variants. We increased the accuracy of the ACMG-AMP classification of 45 PCDH19 variants from 50% to 94%, using these tools. In summary, we have developed a robust toolbox for the assessment of PCDH19 variant pathogenicity to improve the accuracy of PCDH19-CE variant classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duyen H Pham
- Neurogenetics, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Melissa R Pitman
- Molecular Therapeutics, Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Raman Kumar
- Neurogenetics, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Lachlan A Jolly
- Neurogenetics, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Renee Schulz
- Neurogenetics, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Alison E Gardner
- Neurogenetics, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Rebekah de Nys
- Neurogenetics, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Sarah E Heron
- Neurogenetics, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Mark A Corbett
- Neurogenetics, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kavitha Kothur
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Kids Neuroscience Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,TY Nelson Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Deepak Gill
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Kids Neuroscience Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,TY Nelson Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sulekha Rajagopalan
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kristy L Kolc
- Neurogenetics, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Halliday
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Stephen P Robertson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Brigid M Regan
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Heidi E Kirsch
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Samuel F Berkovic
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ingrid E Scheffer
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, Royal Children's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Flemington, Victoria, Australia.,Epilepsy Research Centre, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stuart M Pitson
- Neurogenetics, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Molecular Therapeutics, Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Slave Petrovski
- Centre for Genomics Research, Precision Medicine and Genomics, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jozef Gecz
- Neurogenetics, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Women and Kids, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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17
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Shohayeb B, Cooper HM. Mosaic synapses in epilepsy. Science 2021; 372:235-236. [PMID: 33859020 DOI: 10.1126/science.abh3555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Belal Shohayeb
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Helen M Cooper
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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18
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Marshall GF, Gonzalez-Sulser A, Abbott CM. Modelling epilepsy in the mouse: challenges and solutions. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:dmm.047449. [PMID: 33619078 PMCID: PMC7938804 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.047449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In most mouse models of disease, the outward manifestation of a disorder can be measured easily, can be assessed with a trivial test such as hind limb clasping, or can even be observed simply by comparing the gross morphological characteristics of mutant and wild-type littermates. But what if we are trying to model a disorder with a phenotype that appears only sporadically and briefly, like epileptic seizures? The purpose of this Review is to highlight the challenges of modelling epilepsy, in which the most obvious manifestation of the disorder, seizures, occurs only intermittently, possibly very rarely and often at times when the mice are not under direct observation. Over time, researchers have developed a number of ways in which to overcome these challenges, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. In this Review, we describe the genetics of epilepsy and the ways in which genetically altered mouse models have been used. We also discuss the use of induced models in which seizures are brought about by artificial stimulation to the brain of wild-type animals, and conclude with the ways these different approaches could be used to develop a wider range of anti-seizure medications that could benefit larger patient populations. Summary: This Review discusses the challenges of modelling epilepsy in mice, a condition in which the outward manifestation of the disorder appears only sporadically, and reviews possible solutions encompassing both genetic and induced models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant F Marshall
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.,Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Alfredo Gonzalez-Sulser
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK.,Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, 1 George Square, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Catherine M Abbott
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK .,Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
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19
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Zhang L, Gao J, Liu H, Tian Y, Zhang X, Lei W, Li Y, Guo Y, Yu H, Yuan E, Liang L, Cui S, Zhang X. Pathogenic variants identified by whole-exome sequencing in 43 patients with epilepsy. Hum Genomics 2020; 14:44. [PMID: 33287870 PMCID: PMC7720389 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-020-00294-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Epilepsy is a group of neurological disorders characterized by recurrent epileptic seizures. Epilepsy is affected by many factors, approximately 20–30% of cases are caused by acquired conditions, but in the remaining cases, genetic factors play an important role. Early establishment of a specific diagnosis is important to treat and manage this disease. Methods In this study, we have recruited 43 epileptic encephalopathy patients and the molecular genetic analysis of those children was performed by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Results Fourteen patients (32.6%, 14/43) had positive genetic diagnoses, including fifteen mutations in fourteen genes. The overall diagnostic yield was 32.6%. A total of 9 patients were diagnosed as pathogenic mutations, including 4 variants had been reported as pathogenic previously and 6 novel variants that had not been reported previously. Therefore, WES heralds promise as a tool for clinical diagnosis of patients with genetic disease. Conclusion Early establishment of a specific diagnosis, on the one hand, is necessary for providing an accurate prognosis and recurrence risk as well as optimizing management and treatment options. On the other hand, to unveil the genetic architecture of epilepsy, it is of vital importance to investigate the phenotypic and genetic complexity of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Zhang
- Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China.,Henan Academician Workstation of Genetic Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinshuang Gao
- Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China.,Henan Academician Workstation of Genetic Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hailiang Liu
- Henan Academician Workstation of Genetic Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China.,CapitalBio Genomics Co., Ltd., Dongguan, 532808, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Tian
- Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China.,Henan Academician Workstation of Genetic Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Henan Academician Workstation of Genetic Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Neurologic Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Lei
- CapitalBio Genomics Co., Ltd., Dongguan, 532808, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Li
- Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China.,Henan Academician Workstation of Genetic Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaqing Guo
- Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China.,Henan Academician Workstation of Genetic Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiyang Yu
- Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China.,Henan Academician Workstation of Genetic Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Erfeng Yuan
- Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China.,Henan Academician Workstation of Genetic Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lisi Liang
- CapitalBio Genomics Co., Ltd., Dongguan, 532808, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shihong Cui
- Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China. .,Henan Academician Workstation of Genetic Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 7 Front Kangfu Street, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Obstetrics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaoan Zhang
- Henan Academician Workstation of Genetic Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Imaging, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Imaging and Gynecologic Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 7 Front Kangfu Street, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China.
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20
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Postema FAM, Oosterwijk JC, Hennekam RC. Genetic control of tumor development in malformation syndromes. Am J Med Genet A 2020; 185:324-335. [PMID: 33141500 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
One of the questions that arises frequently when caring for an individual with a malformation syndrome, is whether some form of tumor surveillance is indicated. In some syndromes there is a highly variable increased risk to develop tumors, while in others this is not the case. The risks can be hard to predict and difficult to explain to affected individuals and their families, and often also to caregivers. The queries arise especially if syndrome causing mutations are also known to occur in tumors. It needs insight in the mechanisms to understand and explain differences of tumor occurrence, and to offer optimal care to individuals with syndromes. Here we provide a short overview of the major mechanisms of the control for tumor occurrences in malformation syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floor A M Postema
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan C Oosterwijk
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Raoul C Hennekam
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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