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Rai S, Leydier L, Sharma S, Katwala J, Sahu A. A quest for genetic causes underlying signaling pathways associated with neural tube defects. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1126209. [PMID: 37284286 PMCID: PMC10241075 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1126209] [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: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are serious congenital deformities of the nervous system that occur owing to the failure of normal neural tube closures. Genetic and non-genetic factors contribute to the etiology of neural tube defects in humans, indicating the role of gene-gene and gene-environment interaction in the occurrence and recurrence risk of neural tube defects. Several lines of genetic studies on humans and animals demonstrated the role of aberrant genes in the developmental risk of neural tube defects and also provided an understanding of the cellular and morphological programs that occur during embryonic development. Other studies observed the effects of folate and supplementation of folic acid on neural tube defects. Hence, here we review what is known to date regarding altered genes associated with specific signaling pathways resulting in NTDs, as well as highlight the role of various genetic, and non-genetic factors and their interactions that contribute to NTDs. Additionally, we also shine a light on the role of folate and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) in neural tube defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Rai
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical University of the Americas, Charlestown, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Larissa Leydier
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical University of the Americas, Charlestown, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Shivani Sharma
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical University of the Americas, Charlestown, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Jigar Katwala
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical University of the Americas, Charlestown, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Anurag Sahu
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
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2
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Advances in Fetal Surgical Repair of Open Spina Bifida. Obstet Gynecol 2023; 141:505-521. [PMID: 36735401 DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Spina bifida remains a common congenital anomaly of the central nervous system despite national fortification of foods with folic acid, with a prevalence of 2-4 per 10,000 live births. Prenatal screening for the early detection of this condition provides patients with the opportunity to consider various management options during pregnancy. Prenatal repair of open spina bifida, traditionally performed by the open maternal-fetal surgical approach through hysterotomy, has been shown to improve outcomes for the child, including decreased need for cerebrospinal fluid diversion surgery and improved lower neuromotor function. However, the open maternal-fetal surgical approach is associated with relatively increased risk for the patient and the overall pregnancy, as well as future pregnancies. Recent advances in minimally invasive prenatal repair of open spina bifida through fetoscopy have shown similar benefits for the child but relatively improved outcomes for the pregnant patient and future childbearing.
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3
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White M, Arif-Pardy J, Connor KL. Identification of novel nutrient-sensitive gene regulatory networks in amniocytes from fetuses with spina bifida. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 116:108333. [PMID: 36584796 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) remain among the most common congenital anomalies. Contributing risk factors include genetics and nutrient deficiencies, however, a comprehensive assessment of nutrient-gene interactions in NTDs is lacking. We applied a nutrient-focused gene expression analysis pipeline to identify nutrient-sensitive gene regulatory networks in amniocyte gene expression data (GSE4182) from fetuses with NTDs (cases; n = 3) and fetuses with no congenital anomalies (controls; n = 5). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened for having nutrient cofactors. Nutrient-dependent transcriptional regulators (TRs) that regulated DEGs, and nutrient-sensitive miRNAs with a previous link to NTDs, were identified. Of the 880 DEGs in cases, 10% had at least one nutrient cofactor. DEG regulatory network analysis revealed that 39% and 52% of DEGs in cases were regulated by 22 nutrient-sensitive miRNAs and 10 nutrient-dependent TRs, respectively. Zinc- and B vitamin-dependent gene regulatory networks (Zinc: 10 TRs targeting 50.6% of DEGs; B vitamins: 4 TRs targeting 37.7% of DEGs, 9 miRNAs targeting 17.6% of DEGs) were dysregulated in cases. We identified novel, nutrient-sensitive gene regulatory networks not previously linked to NTDs, which may indicate new targets to explore for NTD prevention or to optimise fetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina White
- Health Sciences, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa K1S 5B6, ON, Canada
| | - Jayden Arif-Pardy
- Health Sciences, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa K1S 5B6, ON, Canada
| | - Kristin L Connor
- Health Sciences, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa K1S 5B6, ON, Canada.
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4
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Almekkawi AK, AlJardali MW, Daadaa HM, Lane AL, Worner AR, Karim MA, Scheck AC, Frye RE. Folate Pathway Gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Neural Tube Defects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pers Med 2022; 12:1609. [PMID: 36294748 PMCID: PMC9605131 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12101609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are congenital abnormalities in the central nervous system. The exact etiology of NTDs is still not determined, but several genetic and epigenetic factors have been studied. Folate supplementation during gestation is recommended to reduce the risk of NTDs. In this review we examine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the genes in the folate pathway associated with NTD. We reviewed the literature for all papers discussing both NTDs and SNPs in the folate pathway. Data were represented through five different genetic models. Quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and Cohen's Kappa inter-rater coefficient assessed author agreement. Fifty-nine papers were included. SNPs in MTHFR, MTRR, RFC genes were found to be highly associated with NTD risk. NOS showed that high quality papers were selected, and Kappa Q-test was 0.86. Our combined results support the notion that SNPs significantly influence NTDs across the population, particularly in Asian ethnicity. Additional high-quality research from diverse ethnicities is needed and meta-regression analysis based on a range of criteria may provide a more complete understanding of the role of folate metabolism in NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad K. Almekkawi
- Phoenix Children’s Hospital, 1919 E. Thomas Rd, Ambulatory Building, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
- College of Medicine, Department of Child Health, University of Arizona, 475 N. 5th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Marwa W. AlJardali
- Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University Gilbert, Byblos 1102 2801, Lebanon
| | - Hicham M. Daadaa
- Department of Oncology, St James University Hospital, Beckett St., Harehills, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
| | - Alison L. Lane
- Phoenix Children’s Hospital, 1919 E. Thomas Rd, Ambulatory Building, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
- College of Medicine, Department of Child Health, University of Arizona, 475 N. 5th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Ashley R. Worner
- Phoenix Children’s Hospital, 1919 E. Thomas Rd, Ambulatory Building, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
- College of Medicine, Department of Child Health, University of Arizona, 475 N. 5th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Mohammad A. Karim
- Phoenix Children’s Hospital, 1919 E. Thomas Rd, Ambulatory Building, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
- College of Medicine, Department of Child Health, University of Arizona, 475 N. 5th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Adrienne C. Scheck
- Phoenix Children’s Hospital, 1919 E. Thomas Rd, Ambulatory Building, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
- College of Medicine, Department of Child Health, University of Arizona, 475 N. 5th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
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5
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Leibovitz Z, Lerman-Sagie T, Haddad L. Fetal Brain Development: Regulating Processes and Related Malformations. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12060809. [PMID: 35743840 PMCID: PMC9224903 DOI: 10.3390/life12060809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper describes the contemporary state of knowledge regarding processes that regulate normal development of the embryonic–fetal central nervous system (CNS). The processes are described according to the developmental timetable: dorsal induction, ventral induction, neurogenesis, neuronal migration, post-migration neuronal development, and cortical organization. We review the current literature on CNS malformations associated with these regulating processes. We specifically address neural tube defects, holoprosencephaly, malformations of cortical development (including microcephaly, megalencephaly, lissencephaly, cobblestone malformations, gray matter heterotopia, and polymicrogyria), disorders of the corpus callosum, and posterior fossa malformations. Fetal ventriculomegaly, which frequently accompanies these disorders, is also reviewed. Each malformation is described with reference to the etiology, genetic causes, prenatal sonographic imaging, associated anomalies, differential diagnosis, complimentary diagnostic studies, clinical interventions, neurodevelopmental outcome, and life quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zvi Leibovitz
- Obstetrics-Gynecology Ultrasound Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fetal Neurology Clinic, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 5822012, Israel;
- Obstetrics-Gynecology Ultrasound Unit, Bnai-Zion Medical Center, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, The Technion, Haifa 31048, Israel;
- Correspondence:
| | - Tally Lerman-Sagie
- Obstetrics-Gynecology Ultrasound Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fetal Neurology Clinic, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 5822012, Israel;
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 5822012, Israel
| | - Leila Haddad
- Obstetrics-Gynecology Ultrasound Unit, Bnai-Zion Medical Center, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, The Technion, Haifa 31048, Israel;
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Identification of the most damaging nsSNPs in the human CFL1 gene and their functional and structural impacts on cofilin-1 protein. Gene 2022; 819:146206. [PMID: 35092861 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The cofilin-1 protein, encoded by CFL1, is an actin-binding protein that regulates F-actin depolymerization and nucleation activity through phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. CFL1 has been implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease), neuronal migration disorders (lissencephaly, epilepsy, and schizophrenia), and neural tube closure defects. Mutations in CFL1 have been associated with impaired neural crest cell migration and neural tube closure defects. In our study, various computational approaches were utilized to explore single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CFL1. The Variation Viewer and gnomAD databases were used to retrieve CFL1 SNPs, including 46 nonsynonymous SNPs (nsSNPs). The functional and structural annotation of SNPs was performed using 12 sequence-based web applications, which identified 20 nsSNPs as being the most likely to be deleterious or disease-causing. The conservation of cofilin-1 protein structures was illustrated using the ConSurf and PROSITE web servers, which projected the 12 most deleterious nsSNPs onto conserved domains, with the potential to disrupt the protein's functionality. These 12 nsSNPs were selected for protein structure construction, and the DynaMut/DUET servers predicted that the protein variants V7G, L84P, and L99A were the most likely to be damaging to the cofilin-1 protein structure or function. The evaluation of molecular docking studies demonstrated that the L99A and L84P cofilin-1 variants reduce the binding affinity for actin compared with the native cofilin-1 structure, and molecular dynamic simulation studies confirmed that these variants might destabilize the protein structure. The consequences of putative mutations on protein-protein interactions and post-translational modification sites in the cofilin-1 protein structure were analyzed. This study represents the first complete approach to understanding the effects of nsSNPs within the actin-depolymerizing factor/cofilin family, which suggested that SNPs resulting in L84P (rs199716082) and L99A (rs267603119) variants represent significant CFL1 mutations associated with disease development.
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Azzarà A, Rendeli C, Crivello AM, Brugnoletti F, Rumore R, Ausili E, Sangiorgi E, Gurrieri F. Identification of new candidate genes for spina bifida through exome sequencing. Childs Nerv Syst 2021; 37:2589-2596. [PMID: 33855610 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-021-05153-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Neural tube defects are a group of birth defects caused by failure of neural tube closure during development. The etiology of NTD, requiring a complex interaction between environmental and genetic factors, is not well understood. METHODS We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) in six trios, with a single affected proband with spina bifida, to identify rare/novel variants as potential causes of the NTD. RESULTS Our analysis identified four de novo and ten X-linked recessive variants in four of the six probands, all of them in genes previously never implicated in NTD. Among the 14 variants, we ruled out six of them, based on different criteria and pursued the evaluation of eight potential candidates in the following genes: RXRγ, DTX1, COL15A1, ARHGAP36, TKTL1, AMOT, GPR50, and NKRF. The de novo variants where located in the RXRγ, DTX1, and COL15A1 genes while ARHGAP36, TKTL1, AMOT, GPR50, and NKRF carry X-linked recessive variants. This analysis also revealed that four patients presented multiple variants, while we were unable to identify any significant variant in two patients. CONCLUSIONS Our preliminary conclusion support a major role for the de novo variants with respect to the X-linked recessive variants where the X-linked could represent a contribution to the phenotype in an oligogenic model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Azzarà
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e di Sanità Pubblica, Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia. .,Unità di Genetica Medica, Università Campus Bio-Medico, Roma, Italia.
| | - Claudia Rendeli
- Spina Bifida Center, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - Anna Maria Crivello
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e di Sanità Pubblica, Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Fulvia Brugnoletti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e di Sanità Pubblica, Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Roberto Rumore
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e di Sanità Pubblica, Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Emanuele Ausili
- Spina Bifida Center, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - Eugenio Sangiorgi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e di Sanità Pubblica, Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - Fiorella Gurrieri
- Unità di Genetica Medica, Università Campus Bio-Medico, Roma, Italia
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Congenital Malformations in Sea Turtles: Puzzling Interplay between Genes and Environment. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020444. [PMID: 33567785 PMCID: PMC7915190 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Congenital malformations can lead to embryonic mortality in many species, and sea turtles are no exception. Genetic and/or environmental alterations occur during early development in the embryo, and may produce aberrant phenotypes, many of which are incompatible with life. Causes of malformations are multifactorial; genetic factors may include mutations, chromosomal aberrations, and inbreeding effects, whereas non-genetic factors may include nutrition, hyperthermia, low moisture, radiation, and contamination. It is possible to monitor and control some of these factors (such as temperature and humidity) in nesting beaches, and toxic compounds in feeding areas, which can be transferred to the embryo through their lipophilic properties. In this review, we describe possible causes of different types of malformations observed in sea turtle embryos, as well as some actions that may help reduce embryonic mortality. Abstract The completion of embryonic development depends, in part, on the interplay between genetic factors and environmental conditions, and any alteration during development may affect embryonic genetic and epigenetic regulatory pathways leading to congenital malformations, which are mostly incompatible with life. Oviparous reptiles, such as sea turtles, that produce numerous eggs in a clutch that is buried on the beach provide an opportunity to study embryonic mortality associated with malformations that occur at different times during development, or that prevent the hatchling from emerging from the nest. In sea turtles, the presence of congenital malformations frequently leads to mortality. A few years ago, a detailed study was performed on external congenital malformations in three species of sea turtles from the Mexican Pacific and Caribbean coasts, the hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata (n = 23,559 eggs), the green turtle, Chelonia mydas (n = 17,690 eggs), and the olive ridley, Lepidochelys olivacea (n = 20,257 eggs), finding 63 types of congenital malformations, of which 38 were new reports. Of the three species, the olive ridley showed a higher incidence of severe anomalies in the craniofacial region (49%), indicating alterations of early developmental pathways; however, several malformations were also observed in the body, including defects in the carapace (45%) and limbs (33%), as well as pigmentation disorders (20%), indicating that deviations occurred during the middle and later stages of development. Although intrinsic factors (i.e., genetic mutations or epigenetic modifications) are difficult to monitor in the field, some environmental factors (such as the incubation temperature, humidity, and probably the status of feeding areas) are, to some extent, less difficult to monitor and/or control. In this review, we describe the aetiology of different malformations observed in sea turtle embryos, and provide some actions that can reduce embryonic mortality.
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Ovayolu A, Ovayolu G, Karaman E, Yuce T, Ozek MA, Turksoy VA. Amniotic fluid levels of selected trace elements and heavy metals in pregnancies complicated with neural tube defects. Congenit Anom (Kyoto) 2020; 60:136-141. [PMID: 31743503 DOI: 10.1111/cga.12363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The aims of this study were to determine the levels of trace elements and heavy metals, namely aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), tin (Sn), antimony (Sb), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb), in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women, and to investigate their relationship with neural tube defects (NTDs). The study included 36 pregnant women whose fetuses were complicated with NTDs (study group) and 39 pregnant women with unaffected healthy fetuses (control group), who were matched for body mass index and gestational weeks. The amniotic fluid levels of trace elements and heavy metals were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and compared between the two groups. Significantly lower mean levels of Zn and Mo and significantly higher levels of Al, Sn, Sb, and Hg in the study group than in the healthy control group were observed, which implied that these elements are possibly correlated with risk factors for the occurrence of NTDs. In contrast, there were no significant differences in the levels of Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb between the groups (P ≥ .05).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ovayolu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cengiz Gokcek Women's and Children's Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Gamze Ovayolu
- Department of Biostatistics, Umay IVF Center, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Erbil Karaman
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Yuzuncu Yıl University, Van, Turkey
| | - Tuncay Yuce
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cengiz Gokcek Women's and Children's Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Murat A Ozek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cengiz Gokcek Women's and Children's Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Vugar A Turksoy
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey
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Deshwar AR, Martin N, Shannon P, Chitayat D. A homozygous pathogenic variant in SHROOM3 associated with anencephaly and cleft lip and palate. Clin Genet 2020; 98:299-302. [PMID: 32621286 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTD) are among the most common congenital anomalies, affecting about 1:1000 births. In most cases, the etiology of NTD is multifactorial and the genetic variants associated with them remain largely unknown. There is extensive evidence from animal models over the past two decades implicating SHROOM3 in neural tube formation; however, its exact role in human disease has remained elusive. In this report, we present the first case of a human fetus with a homozygous loss of function variant in SHROOM3. The fetus presents with anencephaly and cleft lip and palate, similar to previously described Shroom3 mouse mutants and is suggestive of a novel monogenic cause of NTD. Our case provides clarification on the contribution of SHROOM3 to human development after decades of model organism research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish R Deshwar
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicole Martin
- The Prenatal Diagnosis and Medical Genetics Program, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patrick Shannon
- Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Chitayat
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,The Prenatal Diagnosis and Medical Genetics Program, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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11
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Rhodes RH. Congenital Spinal Lipomatous Malformations. Part 1. Spinal Lipomas, Lipomyeloceles, and Lipomyelomeningoceles. Fetal Pediatr Pathol 2020; 39:194-245. [PMID: 31342816 DOI: 10.1080/15513815.2019.1641859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Background: Lumbosacral spinal lipomas and lipomyeloceles are usually identified in early childhood. Terminology, histopathology, and diagnosis for these malformations can be confusing. Materials and Methods: This is a PubMed review with comparison of embryology, gross, and histopathology, and reporting requisites for these and related closed spinal malformations. Results: The spinal lipoma group (congenital spinal lipomatous malformations) includes subcutaneous, transdural, intradural, and noncontiguous malformations stretching through the entire lower spinal region. This lipomyelocele trajectory overlaps the embryonic tail's caudal eminence. Histopathologically, the lipomyelocele spectrum is a heterogeneous, stereotypical set of findings encountered from dermis to spinal cord. Diagnosis requires detailed correlation of images, intraoperative inspection, and histopathology. Conclusions: Appropriate terminology and clinicopathologic correlation to arrive at a diagnosis is a critical activity shared by pathologist and clinician. Prognostic and management differences depend on specific diagnoses. Familial and genetic influences play little if any role in patient management in closed spinal malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy H Rhodes
- LSUHSC, Pathology, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.,Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Pathology, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
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12
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Abstract
During embryonic development, the central nervous system forms as the neural plate and then rolls into a tube in a complex morphogenetic process known as neurulation. Neural tube defects (NTDs) occur when neurulation fails and are among the most common structural birth defects in humans. The frequency of NTDs varies greatly anywhere from 0.5 to 10 in 1000 live births, depending on the genetic background of the population, as well as a variety of environmental factors. The prognosis varies depending on the size and placement of the lesion and ranges from death to severe or moderate disability, and some NTDs are asymptomatic. This chapter reviews how mouse models have contributed to the elucidation of the genetic, molecular, and cellular basis of neural tube closure, as well as to our understanding of the causes and prevention of this devastating birth defect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene E Zohn
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
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13
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Wang L, Ren A, Tian T, Li N, Cao X, Zhang P, Jin L, Li Z, Shen Y, Zhang B, Finnell RH, Lei Y. Whole-Exome Sequencing Identifies Damaging de novo Variants in Anencephalic Cases. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:1285. [PMID: 31849593 PMCID: PMC6896715 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anencephaly is a lethal neural tube defect (NTD). Although variants in several genes have been implicated in the development of anencephaly, a more complete picture of variants in the genome, especially de novo variants (DNVs), remains unresolved. We aim to identify DNVs that play an important role in the development of anencephaly by performing whole-exome DNA sequencing (WES) of proband-parent trios. RESULTS A total of 13 DNVs were identified in 8 anencephaly trios by WES, including two loss of function (LoF) variants detected in pLI > 0.9 genes (SPHKAP, c.2629_2633del, and NCOR1, p.Y1907X). Damaging DNVs were identified in 61.5% (8/13) of the anencephalic cases. Independent validation was conducted in an additional 502 NTD cases. Gene inactivation using targeted morpholino antisense oligomers and rescue assays were conducted in zebrafish, and transfection expression in HEK293T cells. Four DNVs in four cases were identified and predicted to alter protein function, including p.R328Q in WD repeat domain phosphoinositide-interacting 1 (WIPI1). Three variants, p.G313R, p.T418M, and p.L406P, in the WIPI1 gene were identified from the independent replication cohort consisting of 502 cases. Functional analysis suggested that the wipi1 p.L406P and p.R328Q variants most likely displayed loss-of-function effects during embryonic development. CONCLUSION De novo damaging variants are the main culprit for majority of anencephalic cases. Missense variants in WIPI1 may play a role in the genetic etiology of anencephaly, and LoF variants in SPHKAP and NCOR1 may also contribute to anencephaly. These findings add to our existing understanding of the genetic mechanisms of NTD formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Health Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Aiguo Ren
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Health Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Tian Tian
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Health Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Health Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xuanye Cao
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Peng Zhang
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Jin
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Health Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiwen Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Health Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Shen
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Richard H. Finnell
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yunping Lei
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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14
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Yang W, Xiao Y, Tian T, Jin L, Wang L, Ren A. Genetic variants in GRHL3 and risk for neural tube defects: A case-control and case-parent triad/control study. Birth Defects Res 2019; 111:1468-1478. [PMID: 31332962 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the most common severe birth defects with complex etiologies. Previous studies conducted on animals have suggested that the Grhl3 gene is essential for closure of the spinal neural tube, but little evidence from human studies on the variants of GRHL3 gene has been provided, especially the common genetic variants. METHODS To investigate the relationship between common genetic variants of GRHL3 and the risk for NTDs, we performed a case-control study and a case-parent triad/control study. Fast-target enrichment sequencing was performed to screen exon regions from 503 NTD cases, and three tag SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms, including rs12030057, rs2486668, and rs545809) were selected according to the sequencing results. Then, Sequenom MassARRAY genotyping was performed in 757 case parents and 519 controls to obtain genotype information of the target variant sites among all NTD triads and controls. RESULTS The genotype distributions of all SNPs were in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) in the control population. In the case-control study, significant associations were found between C27G genetic variants on rs2486668 and risk for spina bifida and encephalocele, respectively, under different genetic models. Consistently, in the case-parent triad/control study, GG genotype on rs2486668 was associated with increased risk for spina bifida, with a RR of 2.15 (95% CI: 1.20-3.83). However, no parent-of-origin effect was found for any tag SNPs. CONCLUSION The GRHL3 C67G missense variant may increase the risk for spina bifida and encephalocele phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlei Yang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yanhui Xiao
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Tian Tian
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Jin
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Linlin Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Aiguo Ren
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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15
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Update on the Role of the Non-Canonical Wnt/Planar Cell Polarity Pathway in Neural Tube Defects. Cells 2019; 8:cells8101198. [PMID: 31590237 PMCID: PMC6829399 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs), including spina bifida and anencephaly, represent the most severe and common malformations of the central nervous system affecting 0.7–3 per 1000 live births. They result from the failure of neural tube closure during the first few weeks of pregnancy. They have a complex etiology that implicate a large number of genetic and environmental factors that remain largely undetermined. Extensive studies in vertebrate models have strongly implicated the non-canonical Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of NTDs. The defects in this pathway lead to a defective convergent extension that is a major morphogenetic process essential for neural tube elongation and subsequent closure. A large number of genetic studies in human NTDs have demonstrated an important role of PCP signaling in their etiology. However, the relative contribution of this pathway to this complex etiology awaits a better picture of the complete genetic architecture of these defects. The emergence of new genome technologies and bioinformatics pipelines, complemented with the powerful tool of animal models for variant interpretation as well as significant collaborative efforts, will help to dissect the complex genetics of NTDs. The ultimate goal is to develop better preventive and counseling strategies for families affected by these devastating conditions.
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16
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Targeted panel sequencing establishes the implication of planar cell polarity pathway and involves new candidate genes in neural tube defect disorders. Hum Genet 2019; 138:363-374. [DOI: 10.1007/s00439-019-01993-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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17
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Cagnotti G, Sammartano F, Bertone I, Capucchio MT, Nicola I, Sacchi P, Bellino C, D'Angelo A. Imaging and genetic investigations of neural tube defect in a calf: case report and review of the literature. J Vet Diagn Invest 2019; 31:228-234. [PMID: 30852979 DOI: 10.1177/1040638718823037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A 15-d-old female crossbreed calf was referred because of paraplegia since birth. Clinical examination revealed a skin defect covered by hair on the dorsal midline in the thoracic area of the spine. Thoracolumbar spinal cord neuroanatomic localization was determined based on neurologic examination. Computed tomography of the thoracolumbar spine revealed incomplete fusion of the vertebral arches from T6 to T10 and duplication of the vertebral arch of T7. At the level of T6-T7, duplication of the spinal cord with 2 segments completely separated by a septum of hyperattenuating, probably cartilaginous, tissue was noted. Histologically, the spinal segments had different degrees of duplication. Three central canals were detected in one region. Genetic investigation for the presence of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism, which has been investigated in both human and veterinary medicine as a possible cause of neural tube defects and abortion, was carried out and was negative in both the calf and her dam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Cagnotti
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Sammartano
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
| | - Iride Bertone
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Isabella Nicola
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
| | - Paola Sacchi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
| | - Claudio Bellino
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
| | - Antonio D'Angelo
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
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18
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Lemay P, De Marco P, Traverso M, Merello E, Dionne-Laporte A, Spiegelman D, Henrion É, Diallo O, Audibert F, Michaud JL, Cama A, Rouleau GA, Kibar Z, Capra V. Whole exome sequencing identifies novel predisposing genes in neural tube defects. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2018; 7:e00467. [PMID: 30415495 PMCID: PMC6382446 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neural tube defects (NTD) are among the most common defects affecting 1:1000 births. They are caused by a failure of neural tube closure during development. Their clinical presentation is diverse and dependent on the site and severity of the original defect on the embryonic axis. The etiology of NTD is multifactorial involving environmental factors and genetic variants that remain largely unknown. METHODS We have conducted a whole exome sequencing (WES) study in five new NTD families and pooled the results with WES data from three NTD families and 43 trios that were previously investigated by our group. We analyzed the data using biased candidate gene and unbiased gene burden approaches. RESULTS We identified four novel loss-of-function variants in three genes, MTHFR, DLC1, and ITGB1, previously associated with NTD. Notably, DLC1 carried two protein truncating variants in two independent cases. We also demonstrated an enrichment of variants in MYO1E involved in cytoskeletal remodeling. This enrichment reached borderline significance in a replication cohort supporting the association of this new candidate gene to NTD. CONCLUSION These data provide some key insights into the pathogenic mechanisms of human NTD and demonstrate the power of next-generation sequencing in deciphering the genetics of this complex trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Lemay
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Dan Spiegelman
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Édouard Henrion
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ousmane Diallo
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - François Audibert
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jacques L Michaud
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Guy A Rouleau
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Zoha Kibar
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Neurosciences, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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19
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Geng Y, Gao R, Liu X, Chen X, Liu S, Ding Y, Mu X, Wang Y, He J. Folate deficiency inhibits the PCP pathway and alters genomic methylation levels during embryonic development. J Cell Physiol 2018; 233:7333-7342. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yanqing Geng
- Laboratory of Reproductive BiologySchool of Public Health and ManagementChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingP.R. China
| | - Rufei Gao
- Laboratory of Reproductive BiologySchool of Public Health and ManagementChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingP.R. China
| | - Xueqing Liu
- Laboratory of Reproductive BiologySchool of Public Health and ManagementChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingP.R. China
| | - Xuemei Chen
- Laboratory of Reproductive BiologySchool of Public Health and ManagementChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingP.R. China
| | - Shangjing Liu
- Laboratory of Reproductive BiologySchool of Public Health and ManagementChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingP.R. China
| | - Yubin Ding
- Laboratory of Reproductive BiologySchool of Public Health and ManagementChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingP.R. China
| | - Xinyi Mu
- Laboratory of Reproductive BiologySchool of Public Health and ManagementChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingP.R. China
| | - Yingxiong Wang
- Laboratory of Reproductive BiologySchool of Public Health and ManagementChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingP.R. China
| | - Junlin He
- Laboratory of Reproductive BiologySchool of Public Health and ManagementChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingP.R. China
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20
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Özel Ş, Ozyer S, Aykut O, Çinar M, Yılmaz OH, Caglar A, Engin-Ustun Y. Maternal second trimester blood levels of selected heavy metals in pregnancies complicated with neural tube defects. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2018; 32:2547-2553. [DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2018.1441280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Şule Özel
- Zekai Tahir Burak Womens Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sebnem Ozyer
- Zekai Tahir Burak Womens Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Osman Aykut
- Zekai Tahir Burak Womens Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Çinar
- Zekai Tahir Burak Womens Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Omer Hınc Yılmaz
- Zekai Tahir Burak Womens Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ali Caglar
- Zekai Tahir Burak Womens Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Yaprak Engin-Ustun
- Zekai Tahir Burak Womens Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
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21
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Liu XZ, Zhang Q, Jiang Q, Bai BL, Du XJ, Wang F, Wu LH, Lu XL, Bao YH, Li HL, Zhang T. Genetic screening and functional analysis of CASP9 mutations in a Chinese cohort with neural tube defects. CNS Neurosci Ther 2018; 24:394-403. [PMID: 29365368 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Neural tube defects (NTDs) are birth defects of the nervous system and are the second most frequent cause of birth defects worldwide. The etiology of NTDs is complicated and involves both genetic and environmental factors. CASP9 is an initiator caspase in the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, which in Casp9-/- mice has been shown to result in NTDs because of decreased apoptosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential genetic contribution of the CASP9 gene in human NTDs. METHODS High-throughput sequencing was performed to screen genetic variants of CASP9 genes in 355 NTD cases and 225 matched controls. Apoptosis-relevant assays were performed on transiently transfected E9 neuroepithelial cells or human embryonic kidney 293T cells, to determine the functional characteristics of NTD-specific rare variants under complete or low folic acid (FA) status. RESULTS We found significant expression of CASP9 rare variants in NTDs and identified 4 NTD-specific missense variants. Functional assays demonstrated that a p.Y251C variant attenuates apoptosis by reducing CASP9 protein expression and decreasing activity of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. From this, we conclude that this variant may represent a loss-of-function mutation. A 4-time recurrent p.R191G variant did not affect intrinsic apoptosis in complete medium, while it completely inhibited apoptosis induced by low FA medium. CONCLUSION Our findings identify a genetic link for apoptosis in human NTDs and highlight the effect of gene-environment interactions in a complex disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Zhen Liu
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China.,Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Jiang
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Bao-Ling Bai
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Juan Du
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Hua Wu
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Lu
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Hua Bao
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Hui-Li Li
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China.,Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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22
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Pappa L, Kals M, Kivistik PA, Metspalu A, Paal A, Nikopensius T. Exome analysis in an Estonian multiplex family with neural tube defects-a case report. Childs Nerv Syst 2017; 33:1575-1581. [PMID: 28721594 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-017-3491-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a group of common and severe congenital birth defects that occur during early embryonic development due to incomplete closure of the neural tube. The genetic architecture of human NTDs, including spina bifida and hydrocephalus, is highly heterogeneous, with multiple genes/loci and both gene-gene and gene-environment interactions involved. Hence, the variation in outcomes also most likely relates to a combination of the severity of different variants in multiple genes and genetic modifiers affecting the biochemical traits. METHODS Here, we present a multiple-spouse family with one pedigree lineage where three brothers are affected with NTDs-two lumbar spina bifidas without hydrocephalus and one obstructive hydrocephalus. We sequenced the exomes of three NTD patients and their parents. RESULTS The analysis revealed a heterozygous c.844ins68 variant in CBS, which was carried by all affected individuals and inherited from their mother. All affected individuals had a variable set of additional low frequency deleterious variants in PTK7, PLCD4, IL4I1 or RASSF4 as likely causal loci contributing to the disease development. CONCLUSION This report extends the current knowledge of the genetic background of NTDs and proposes that common and low frequency variants in genes involved mostly in one-carbon metabolism or planar cell polarity (PCP) pathways can act in an additive manner to increase the genetic risk of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liina Pappa
- Estonian Genome Center, University of Tartu, Riia 23b, 51010, Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Mart Kals
- Estonian Genome Center, University of Tartu, Riia 23b, 51010, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Paula Ann Kivistik
- Estonian Genome Center, University of Tartu, Riia 23b, 51010, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Andres Metspalu
- Estonian Genome Center, University of Tartu, Riia 23b, 51010, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ann Paal
- Tallinn Children's Hospital, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Tiit Nikopensius
- Estonian Genome Center, University of Tartu, Riia 23b, 51010, Tartu, Estonia
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Rossi A, Martinetti C, Morana G, Severino M, Tortora D. Diagnostic Approach to Pediatric Spine Disorders. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 2017; 24:621-44. [PMID: 27417404 DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the developmental features of the pediatric spine and spinal cord, including embryologic steps and subsequent growth of the osteocartilaginous spine and contents is necessary for interpretation of the pathologic events that may affect the pediatric spine. MR imaging plays a crucial role in the diagnostic evaluation of patients suspected of harboring spinal abnormalities, whereas computed tomography and ultrasonography play a more limited, complementary role. This article discusses the embryologic and developmental anatomy features of the spine and spinal cord, together with some technical points and pitfalls, and the most common indications for pediatric spinal MR imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rossi
- Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini, 5, Genova 16147, Italy.
| | - Carola Martinetti
- Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini, 5, Genova 16147, Italy
| | - Giovanni Morana
- Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini, 5, Genova 16147, Italy
| | - Mariasavina Severino
- Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini, 5, Genova 16147, Italy
| | - Domenico Tortora
- Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini, 5, Genova 16147, Italy
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24
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Schoner K, Axt-Fliedner R, Bald R, Fritz B, Kohlhase J, Kohl T, Rehder H. Fetal Pathology of Neural Tube Defects - An Overview of 68 Cases. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2017; 77:495-507. [PMID: 28579621 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-103459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2016] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The prevalence of neural tube defects worldwide is 1 - 2 per 1000 neonates. Neural tube defects result from a disturbance of neurulation in the 3rd or 4th week of development and thus represent the earliest manifestation of organ malformation. Neural tube defects (NTD) are classified into cranial dysraphism leading to anencephaly or meningoencephalocele and spinal dysraphism with or without meningomyelocele. In isolated form they have multifactorial causes, and the empirical risk of recurrence in Central Europe is 2%. As associated malformations they tend to occur sporadically, and in monogenic syndromes they follow Mendelian inheritance patterns with a high risk of recurrence. PATIENTS Autopsies were performed on 68 fetuses following a prenatal diagnosis of NTD and induced abortion. RESULTS The incidence of NTDs in our autopsied fetuses was 8% and 11% in fetuses with malformations. The percentage of fetuses with anencephaly, encephalocele or spina bifida was 24, 18, and 60%*, respectively. Analysis of the sex distribution showed a female preponderance in cranial dysraphisms but the sex distribution of spina bifida cases was equal. The extent and localization of NTDs varied, with lumbosacral cases clearly predominating. The proportion of isolated, associated and syndromic neural tube defects was 56, 23.5 and 20.6% respectively. In the majority of syndromes, the neural tube defect represented a not previously observed syndromic feature. CONCLUSION The high proportion of NTDs with monogenic background underlines the importance of a syndrome oriented fetal pathology. At the very least it requires a thourough photographic and radiographic documentation of the fetal phenotype to enable the genetic counsellor to identify a syndromic disorder. This is necessary to determine the risk of recurrence, arrange confirming mutation analyses and offer targeted prenatal diagnosis in subsequent pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Schoner
- Institute of Pathology, WG Fetal Pathology, University of Gießen and Marburg, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Roland Axt-Fliedner
- Department of Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital of Gießen and Marburg, Gießen, Germany
| | - Rainer Bald
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Klinikum Leverkusen, Leverkusen, Germany
| | - Barbara Fritz
- Center of Human Genetics, University of Gießen and Marburg, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Juergen Kohlhase
- Praxis for Human Genetics - Center of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Kohl
- German Center for Fetal Surgery & minimal-invasive Therapy, University Hospital of Gießen and Marburg, Gießen, Germany
| | - Helga Rehder
- Institute of Pathology, WG Fetal Pathology, University of Gießen and Marburg, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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25
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Kharfallah F, Guyot MC, El Hassan AR, Allache R, Merello E, De Marco P, Di Cristo G, Capra V, Kibar Z. Scribble1 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neural tube defects through its mediating effect of Par-3 and Vangl1/2 localization. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:2307-2320. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
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26
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Lemay P, De Marco P, Emond A, Spiegelman D, Dionne-Laporte A, Laurent S, Merello E, Accogli A, Rouleau GA, Capra V, Kibar Z. Rare deleterious variants in GRHL3 are associated with human spina bifida. Hum Mutat 2017; 38:716-724. [PMID: 28276201 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Neural tube defects, including spina bifida, are among the most common birth defects caused by failure of neural tube closure during development. They have a complex etiology involving largely undetermined environmental and genetic factors. Previous studies in mouse models have implicated the transcription factor Grhl3 as an important factor in the pathogenesis of spina bifida. In the present study, we conducted a resequencing analysis of GRHL3 in a cohort of 233 familial and sporadic cases of spina bifida. We identified two novel truncating variants: one homozygous frameshift variant, p.Asp16Aspfs*10, in two affected siblings and one heterozygous intronic splicing variant, p.Ala318Glyfs*26. We also identified five missense variants, one of which was demonstrated to reduce the activation of gene targets in a luciferase reporter assay. With the previously identified p.Arg391Cys variant, eight variants were found in GRHL3. Comparison of the variant rate between our cohort and the ExAC database identified a significant enrichment of deleterious variants in GRHL3 in the whole gene and the transactivation region in spina bifida patients. These data provide strong evidence for a role of GRHL3 as a predisposing factor to spina bifida and will help dissect the complex etiology and pathogenic mechanisms of these malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Lemay
- CHU Sainte Justine Research Center and University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Alexandre Emond
- CHU Sainte Justine Research Center and University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Dan Spiegelman
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Sandra Laurent
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Elisa Merello
- U.O. Neurochirurgia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Accogli
- U.O. Neurochirurgia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Guy A Rouleau
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Valeria Capra
- U.O. Neurochirurgia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Zoha Kibar
- CHU Sainte Justine Research Center and University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Dutta HK, Borbora D, Baruah M, Narain K. Evidence of gene-gene interactions between MTHFD1 and MTHFR in relation to anterior encephalocele susceptibility in Northeast India. Birth Defects Res 2017; 109:432-444. [PMID: 28398708 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 11/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anterior encephalocele (AE) is a rare congenital anomaly of the central nervous system which is thought to be associated with genetic defects in folate metabolism. METHODS This case-control study investigated the interactions of methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1 (MTHFD1)-1958G>A (rs2236225) and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) - 677C>T (rs1801133) and 1298A>C (rs1801131) polymorphisms with the risk of AE in the Northeast Indian population. A total of 40 AE cases and 80 controls were investigated using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. RESULTS MTHFR 1298CC was significantly associated with AE risk (odds ratio [OR] 4.21; p = 0.01). The MTHFR haplotypes 677C-1298C/677T-1298A (OR, 2.50) and 677T-1298C (OR, 2.86) conferred risk in a progressive manner (χ2 = 9.82; p < 0.01). MTHFD1 1958G>A was not associated with disease susceptibility. Children with the rs2236225 GA and the rs1801131 CC genotypes were at an increased risk as compared to the reference genotype of rs2236225 GG and rs1801131 AA (OR, 14.4; p = 0.02). Children with the rs2236225 GG and rs1801133 CT genotypes were also at an elevated risk (OR, 4.76; p = 0.01). The MTHFD1 polymorphism together with the MTHFR haplotypes elevated risk in a progressive manner (χ2 = 6.29; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION The data support our hypothesis of gene-gene interaction between MTHFD1 and MTHFR and the risk of AE. Together with the MTHFR haplotypes, MTHFD1 elevates risk in a progressive manner. The minor allelic frequencies of the MTHFD1 1958G>A and MTHFR 1298A>C in our populations were similar to those reported from Southeast Asian population, suggesting a possible explanation for the prevalence of this malformation in these regions. Birth Defects Research 109:432-444, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemonta Kr Dutta
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Assam Medical College & Hospital, Dibrugarh, Assam, India
| | - Debasish Borbora
- Department of Biotechnology, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Mauchumi Baruah
- Department of Physiology, Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, Assam, India
| | - Kanwar Narain
- Regional Medical Research Centre (ICMR) Dibrugarh, Assam, India
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Simpamba MM, Struthers PM, Mweshi MM. Access to health care for children with neural tube defects: Experiences of mothers in Zambia. Afr J Disabil 2016; 5:267. [PMID: 28730060 PMCID: PMC5433465 DOI: 10.4102/ajod.v5i1.267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In Zambia, all children born with neural tube defects requiring surgery need to be referred to a tertiary level hospital in Lusaka, the capital city, where the specialists are based. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of mothers accessing health care who had recently given birth to a child with a neural tube defect. METHODS AND ANALYSIS In-depth interviews were conducted with a purposively selected sample of 20 mothers at the tertiary level hospital. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and translated. Content analysis was used to identify codes, which were later collapsed into categories and themes. FINDINGS Five themes emerged: access to health care, access to transport, access to information, concerns about family and support needs. DISCUSSION Barriers to access to health care included geographical barriers and barriers linked to availability. Geographical barriers were related to distance between home and the health centre, and referral between health facilities. Barriers to availability included the lack of specialist health workers at various levels, and insufficient hospital vehicles to transport mothers and children to the tertiary level hospital. The main barrier to affordability was the cost of transport, which was alleviated by either family or government support. Acceptability of the health services was affected by a lack of information, incorrect advice, the attitude of health workers and the beliefs of the family. CONCLUSION Access to health care by mothers of children with neural tube defects in Zambia is affected by geographical accessibility, availability, affordability and acceptability. The supply-side barriers and demand-side barriers require different interventions to address them. This suggests that health policy is needed which ensures access to surgery and follow-up care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micah M Simpamba
- Department of Physiotherapy, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
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Saraç M, Önalan E, Bakal Ü, Tartar T, Aydın M, Orman A, Tektemur A, Taşkın E, Erol FS, Kazez A. Magnesium-permeable TRPM6 polymorphisms in patients with meningomyelocele. SPRINGERPLUS 2016; 5:1703. [PMID: 27757375 PMCID: PMC5047867 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-3395-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To evaluate whether there is an association between single nucleotide polymorphisms in magnesium-permeable TRPM6 ion channel and development of meningomyelocele (MMC). Therefore, we examined a total of 150 children with MMC, along with age- and gender-matched controls. DNA collected from whole blood was analyzed for the presence of two polymorphisms, rs2274924 (A > G; K1579E; Leu1579Glu) and rs3750425 (G > A; Val1393Ile), in TRPM6. Serum Mg2+ and calcium levels were also examined. RESULTS A statistically significant difference in the distribution of rs2274924 genotypes (p = 0.049) was observed between the groups. Decreases in the AA genotype, and increases in the AG heterozygous genotype were also detected in the study group. The distribution of polymorphisms in the rs3750425 genotype and alleles was not statistically different between groups. Serum Mg2+ levels were lower in the GG genotype of rs3750425 compared with the GA and AA genotypes (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS A statistically significant difference in rs3750425 genotypes was observed between the patients with MMC and the controls, which corresponded to lower serum Mg2+ concentrations in these patients. Taken together, these results suggest that genetic variations in the Mg2+-permeable TRPM6 ion channel may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of MMC during embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Saraç
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Firat University Medical Faculty, 23119 Elazig, Turkey
| | - Ebru Önalan
- Department of Medical Biology, Firat University Medical Faculty, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Ünal Bakal
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Firat University Medical Faculty, 23119 Elazig, Turkey
| | - Tugay Tartar
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Firat University Medical Faculty, 23119 Elazig, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Aydın
- Department of Neonatology, Firat University Medical Faculty, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Ayşen Orman
- Department of Neonatology, Firat University Medical Faculty, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Tektemur
- Department of Medical Biology, Firat University Medical Faculty, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Erdal Taşkın
- Department of Neonatology, Firat University Medical Faculty, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Fatih Serhat Erol
- Department of Neurosurgery, Firat University Medical Faculty, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Kazez
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Firat University Medical Faculty, 23119 Elazig, Turkey
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Ami N, Bernstein M, Boucher F, Rieder M, Parker L. Folate and neural tube defects: The role of supplements and food fortification. Paediatr Child Health 2016; 21:145-54. [PMID: 27398055 DOI: 10.1093/pch/21.3.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Periconceptional folic acid significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects. It is difficult to achieve optimal levels of folate by diet alone, even with fortification of flour, especially because flour consumption in Canada is slightly decreasing. Intermittent concerns have been raised concerning possible deleterious effects of folate supplementation, including the masking of symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency and an association with cancer, especially colorectal cancer. Both concerns have been disproved. The Canadian Paediatric Society endorses the following steps to enhance folate intake in women of child-bearing age: encouraging the consumption of folate-rich foods such as leafy vegetables, increasing the level of folate food fortification, taking a supplement containing folate and B12, and providing free folate supplementation to disadvantaged women of child-bearing age. These recommendations are consistent with those of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.
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Francesca LC, Claudia R, Molinario C, Annamaria M, Chiara F, Natalia C, Emanuele A, Valentina P, Giovanni N, Costantino R, Eugenio S, Fiorella G. Variants in TNIP1, a regulator of the NF-kB pathway, found in two patients with neural tube defects. Childs Nerv Syst 2016; 32:1061-7. [PMID: 27125519 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-016-3087-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Neural tube defects (NTDs) occur in 1:1000 births. The etiology is complex, with the influence of environmental and genetic factors. Environmental factors, such as folate deficiency, diabetes, or hypoxia strongly contribute to the occurrence of NTD. Also, there is a strong genetic contribution to NTD, as highlighted by the number of genes so far identified in several different developmental pathways usually altered in NTD. Each gene identified so far accounts for a small percentage of all NTD cases, indicating a very high heterogeneity. METHODS Exome sequencing was performed in seven sporadic patients with severe mielomeningocele. Novel coding variants shared by two or more patients were selected for further analysis. RESULTS We identified in two unrelated patients two different variants in TNIP1, a gene not previously involved in NTD whose main role is downregulation of the NF-kB pathway. One variant, c.1089T>G (p.Phe363Leu), is de novo, whereas the c.1781C>T (p.Pro594Leu) is absent in the mother, but could not be tested in the father, as he was unavailable. The latter variant is a very rare variant in the ExAC database. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that TNIP1 is a new potential predisposing gene to spina bifida (SB) and its pathway needs to be investigated in human NTD in order to confirm its role and to plan appropriate counseling to families.
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Affiliation(s)
- La Carpia Francesca
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, Columbia, NY, USA
| | - Rendeli Claudia
- Istituto di Pediatria, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore "A. Gemelli", Rome, Italy
| | - Clelia Molinario
- Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore "A. Gemelli", L.go Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Milillo Annamaria
- Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore "A. Gemelli", L.go Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Farroni Chiara
- Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore "A. Gemelli", L.go Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Cannelli Natalia
- Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore "A. Gemelli", L.go Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Ausili Emanuele
- Istituto di Pediatria, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore "A. Gemelli", Rome, Italy
| | - Paolucci Valentina
- Istituto di Pediatria, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore "A. Gemelli", Rome, Italy
| | - Neri Giovanni
- Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore "A. Gemelli", L.go Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Romagnoli Costantino
- Istituto di Pediatria, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore "A. Gemelli", Rome, Italy
| | - Sangiorgi Eugenio
- Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore "A. Gemelli", L.go Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Gurrieri Fiorella
- Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore "A. Gemelli", L.go Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy.
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Ami N, Bernstein M, Boucher F, Rieder M, Parker L. Le folate et les anomalies du tube neural : le rôle des suppléments et des aliments enrichis. Paediatr Child Health 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/pch/21.3.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Hang XY, Shang AJ, Zhao QJ, Bai SC, Cheng C, Tao BZ, Wang LK, Liang S, Yin L. Association between chromosomal aberration of COX8C and tethered spinal cord syndrome: array-based comparative genomic hybridization analysis. Neural Regen Res 2016; 11:1333-8. [PMID: 27651783 PMCID: PMC5020834 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.189200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Copy number variations have been found in patients with neural tube abnormalities. In this study, we performed genome-wide screening using high-resolution array-based comparative genomic hybridization in three children with tethered spinal cord syndrome and two healthy parents. Of eight copy number variations, four were non-polymorphic. These non-polymorphic copy number variations were associated with Angelman and Prader-Willi syndromes, and microcephaly. Gene function enrichment analysis revealed that COX8C, a gene associated with metabolic disorders of the nervous system, was located in the copy number variation region of Patient 1. Our results indicate that array-based comparative genomic hybridization can be used to diagnose tethered spinal cord syndrome. Our results may help determine the pathogenesis of tethered spinal cord syndrome and prevent occurrence of this disease.
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de Lahunta A, Glass EN, Kent M. Embryonic Development of the Central Nervous System. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2015; 46:193-216. [PMID: 26698228 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2015.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Ultimately, it is only with an understanding of normal embryologic development that there can be an understanding of why and how a specific malformation develops. Knowing from where and when a specific part of the nervous system develops and what morphogens are at play will enable us to identify undescribed malformation as well as better define causality. The following article reviews the normal embryologic development of the mammalian nervous system and is intended to serve as a foundation for the understanding of the various malformations presented in this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander de Lahunta
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, PO Box 907, Rye, NH 03870, USA
| | - Eric N Glass
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, 197 Hance Avenue, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724, USA
| | - Marc Kent
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 2200 College Station Road, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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Wang M, De Marco P, Merello E, Drapeau P, Capra V, Kibar Z. Role of the planar cell polarity gene Protein tyrosine kinase 7 in neural tube defects in humans. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 103:1021-7. [PMID: 26368655 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Revised: 07/10/2015] [Accepted: 07/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most common congenital defects affecting approximately 1 in 1000 live births in North America. Their etiology is complex including environmental and genetic factors. Defects in the planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling pathway have been strongly associated with NTDs in animal models and human cohorts. Protein tyrosine kinase 7 (Ptk7) was shown to cause a very severe form of NTDs called craniorachischisis in a mouse model and genetically interacts with a core PCP member Vangl2 where double heterozygotes suffer from spina bifida. In this study, we examined the role of PTK7 in human NTDs to determine whether variants at this gene predispose to these defects. METHODS We sequenced the coding region and the exon-intron junctions of PTK7 in a cohort of 473 patients affected with various forms of open and closed NTDs. Novel and rare variants(<1%) were genotyped in a cohort of 473 individuals. Their pathogenic effect was predicted in silico and functionally in an overexpression assay in a well-established zebrafish model. RESULTS We identified in our cohort 6 rare variants, 3 of which were absent in public databases. One variant, p.Gly348Ser, acted as a hypermorph when overexpressed in the zebrafish model. CONCLUSION We detected potentially pathogenic PTK7 variants in 1.1% of our NTD cohort. Our findings implicate PTK7 as a risk factor for NTDs and provide additional evidence for a pathogenic role of PCP signaling in these malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingqin Wang
- CHU Ste-Justine Research Center, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | | | - Pierre Drapeau
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,CHUM Research Center, Montréal, Canada
| | | | - Zoha Kibar
- CHU Ste-Justine Research Center, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Neurosciences, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Wang Y, Liu Y, Ji W, Qin H, Wu H, Xu D, Tukebai T, Wang Z. Analysis of MTR and MTRR Polymorphisms for Neural Tube Defects Risk Association. Medicine (Baltimore) 2015; 94:e1367. [PMID: 26334892 PMCID: PMC4616500 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000001367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the most common congenital defects of the central nervous system among neonates and the folate status during pregnancy was considered as the most important etiopathogenesis of NTDs. Besides, methionine synthase (MTR) gene and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) gene were folate metabolism involved genes and had been investigated in several previous studies with inconsistent results. Hence, we aimed to explore the association of 4 selected single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on MTRR/MTR gene and the susceptibility of NTDs in a Chinese population.Seven SNPs were selected from HapMap databases with Haploview 4.2 software. A polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was performed to genotype the polymorphisms from blood samples of 165 NTDs patients and 280 healthy controls. The correlation between these SNPs and NTDs risk was tested by Student t test and Chi-square test by STATA 11.0 software. Furthermore, we performed a meta-analysis of relevant studies to investigate the association between the SNPs MTRR 66A>G and MTR 2756A>G and the susceptibility of NTDs.An increased risk of NTDs was verified to be significantly associated with MTRR 66A>G (G allele vs. A allele: OR = 1.36 (1.03-1.80), P = 0.028; GG + AG vs. AA: OR = 1.60 (1.05-2.43), P = 0.027) and MTR 2756A>G (G allele vs. A allele: OR = 1.45 (1.06-1.98), P = 0.021; GG + AG vs. AA: OR = 1.51 (1.02-2.23), P = 0.038) in our study. However, the other SNPs in our analysis showed no significant association with NTDs risk (all P > 0.05). Furthermore, the result of the meta-analysis supported the association between MTRR 66A>G and NTDs risk (G allele vs. A allele: OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.09-1.61, GG + GA vs. AA: OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.06-2.09, GG vs. AA: OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.04-2.49).Our study confirmed that the MTRR 66A>G and MTR 2756A>G were significantly associated with the increased NTDs risk in a Chinese population. The further meta-analysis enhance that MTRR 66A>G was connected with the susceptibility of NTDs widely. Further investigations based on more detailed stratification were recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxin Wang
- From the Neurosurgical Department, the 1st Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
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Suppressed expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases in hyperthermia induced defective neural tube. Neurosci Lett 2015; 594:6-11. [PMID: 25818329 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2015.03.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Revised: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common congenital malformations. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway is involved in many physiological processes. HMGB1 has been showed closely associated with neurulation and NTDs induced by hyperthermia and could activate MAPKs pathway. Since hyperthermia caused increased activation of MAPKs in many systems, the present study aims to investigate whether HMGB1 contributes to hyperthermia induced NTDs through MAPKs pathway. The mRNA levels of MAPKs and HMGB1 between embryonic day 8.5 and 10 (E8.5-10) in hyperthermia induced defective neural tube were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). By immunofluorescence and western blotting, the expressions of HMGB1 and phosphorylated MAPKs (ERK1/2, JNK and p38) in neural tubes after hyperthermia were studied. The mRNA levels of MAPKs and HMGB1, as well as the expressions of HMGB1 along with phosphorylated JNK, p38 and ERK, were downregulated in NTDs groups induced by hyperthermia compared with control. The findings suggested that HMGB1 may contribute to hyperthermia induced NTDs formation through decreased cell proliferation due to inhibited phosphorylated ERK1/2 MAPK.
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Lemay P, Guyot MC, Tremblay É, Dionne-Laporte A, Spiegelman D, Henrion É, Diallo O, De Marco P, Merello E, Massicotte C, Désilets V, Michaud JL, Rouleau GA, Capra V, Kibar Z. Loss-of-function de novo mutations play an important role in severe human neural tube defects. J Med Genet 2015; 52:493-7. [PMID: 25805808 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2015-103027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neural tube defects (NTDs) are very common and severe birth defects that are caused by failure of neural tube closure and that have a complex aetiology. Anencephaly and spina bifida are severe NTDs that affect reproductive fitness and suggest a role for de novo mutations (DNMs) in their aetiology. METHODS We used whole-exome sequencing in 43 sporadic cases affected with myelomeningocele or anencephaly and their unaffected parents to identify DNMs in their exomes. RESULTS We identified 42 coding DNMs in 25 cases, of which 6 were loss of function (LoF) showing a higher rate of LoF DNM in our cohort compared with control cohorts. Notably, we identified two protein-truncating DNMs in two independent cases in SHROOM3, previously associated with NTDs only in animal models. We have demonstrated a significant enrichment of LoF DNMs in this gene in NTDs compared with the gene specific DNM rate and to the DNM rate estimated from control cohorts. We also identified one nonsense DNM in PAX3 and two potentially causative missense DNMs in GRHL3 and PTPRS. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates an important role of LoF DNMs in the development of NTDs and strongly implicates SHROOM3 in its aetiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Lemay
- CHU Ste-Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Marie-Claude Guyot
- CHU Ste-Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Élizabeth Tremblay
- CHU Ste-Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Dan Spiegelman
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Édouard Henrion
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ousmane Diallo
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | | | - Christine Massicotte
- CHU Ste-Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Valérie Désilets
- CHU Ste-Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jacques L Michaud
- CHU Ste-Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Guy A Rouleau
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Zoha Kibar
- CHU Ste-Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Liu Z, Xie J, Luo T, Zhang T, Zhao X, Zhao H, Li P. An epidemiologic study of mitochondrial membrane transporter protein gene polymorphism and risk factors for neural tube defects in Shanxi, China. Neural Regen Res 2015; 7:463-9. [PMID: 25774190 PMCID: PMC4350134 DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2011.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2011] [Accepted: 12/02/2011] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study involved a questionnaire survey of 156 mothers that gave birth to children with neural tube defects or had a history of pregnancy resulting in children with neural tube defects (case group) and 156 control mothers with concurrent healthy children (control group) as well as detection of mitochondrial membrane transporter protein gene [uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2)] polymorphism. The maternal UCP2 3’ untranslated region (UTR) D/D genotype and D allele frequency were significantly higher in the case group compared with the control group (odds ratio (OR) 3.233; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.103–9.476; P = 0.040; OR: 3.484; 95% CI: for neural tube defects 2.109–5.753; P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis of risk factors for neural tube defects showed that a maternal UCP2 3’ UTR D/D genotype was negatively interacted with the mothers’ consumption of frequent fresh fruit and vegetables (S = 0.007), positively interacted with the mothers’ frequency of germinated potato consumption (S = 2.15) and positively interacted with the mothers’ body mass index (S = 3.50). These findings suggest that maternal UCP2 3’ UTR gene polymorphism, pregnancy time, consumption of germinated potatoes and body mass index are associated with an increased risk for neural tube defects in children from mothers living in Shanxi province, China. Moreover, there is an apparent gene-environment interaction involved in the development of neural tube defects in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhizhen Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Jun Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Tian'e Luo
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Shanghai Yangpu District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Xia Zhao
- Department of Physical and Chemical Detection, Shanxi Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Hong Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Peizhen Li
- Department of Epidemiology, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical College, Zhuhai 519041, Guangdong Province, China
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Guan Z, Wang X, Dong Y, Xu L, Zhu Z, Wang J, Zhang T, Niu B. dNTP deficiency induced by HU via inhibiting ribonucleotide reductase affects neural tube development. Toxicology 2014; 328:142-51. [PMID: 25527867 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2014.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2014] [Revised: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to environmental toxic chemicals in utero during the neural tube development period can cause developmental disorders. To evaluate the disruption of neural tube development programming, the murine neural tube defects (NTDs) model was induced by interrupting folate metabolism using methotrexate in our previous study. The present study aimed to examine the effects of dNTP deficiency induced by hydroxyurea (HU), a specific ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) inhibitor, during murine neural tube development. Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally injected with various doses of HU on gestation day (GD) 7.5, and the embryos were checked on GD 11.5. RNR activity and deoxynucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) levels were measured in the optimal dose. Additionally, DNA damage was examined by comet analysis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay. Cellular behaviors in NTDs embryos were evaluated with phosphorylation of histone H3 (PH-3) and caspase-3 using immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. The results showed that NTDs were observed mostly with HU treatment at an optimal dose of 225 mg/kg b/w. RNR activity was inhibited and dNTP levels were decreased in HU-treated embryos with NTDs. Additionally, increased DNA damage, decreased proliferation, and increased caspase-3 were significant in NTDs embryos compared to the controls. Results indicated that HU induced murine NTDs model by disturbing dNTP metabolism and further led to the abnormal cell balance between proliferation and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Guan
- Department of Biotechnology, Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuwei Wang
- Department of Biotechnology, Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Yanting Dong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Department of Biotechnology, Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhu
- Department of Biotechnology, Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Department of Biotechnology, Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Biotechnology, Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China.
| | - Bo Niu
- Department of Biotechnology, Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China.
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Allache R, Wang M, De Marco P, Merello E, Capra V, Kibar Z. Genetic studies ofANKRD6as a molecular switch between Wnt signaling pathways in human neural tube defects. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 103:20-6. [DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2014] [Revised: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Redouane Allache
- Department of Neurosciences; CHU Sainte Justine Research Center and University of Montréal; Genova Italy
| | - Mingqin Wang
- Department of Neurosciences; CHU Sainte Justine Research Center and University of Montréal; Genova Italy
| | | | - Elisa Merello
- U.O. C. Neurochirurgia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini; Genova Italy
| | - Valeria Capra
- U.O. C. Neurochirurgia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini; Genova Italy
| | - Zoha Kibar
- Department of Neurosciences; CHU Sainte Justine Research Center and University of Montréal; Genova Italy
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Connealy BD, Northrup H, Au KS. Genetic variations in the GLUT3 gene associated with myelomeningocele. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2014; 211:305.e1-8. [PMID: 24813597 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2014.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our objectives were to examine the extent of described sequence variation in the glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) gene in children with myelomeningocele (MM), identify novel variations in the GLUT3 gene in these children, and determine whether these variations may confer a risk of MM. STUDY DESIGN We sequenced the 10 exons of GLUT3, including exon-intron boundaries, on 96 children with MM. Sequencing was performed with Sanger methods and results analyzed with deoxyribonucleic acid analysis software. Frequencies of known single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified, and those differing from the reference sequence (GRCh37/hg19 assembly) were considered variations. RESULTS Six novel and 9 previously described, genetic variations were identified in our population. The novel variations included a large, 83 base pair deletion involving the core promoter region and part of exon 1 (1 of 96 children), and a 2 base pair deletion in the coding sequence of exon 4 (1 of 96 children). The remaining novel variations were located in the introns in the proximity of the splice sites. Novel mutations in GLUT3 were observed among 6.25% of our population. Additionally, the frequency of the rare allele for rs17847972 located in a splice donor site is higher (P < .001) in MM in our population than expected. CONCLUSION We identified previously undescribed deletions and single-nucleotide variations involving the GLUT3 gene that may be associated with increased susceptibility to MM. Of particular interest, the 2 deletions involve both an important core promoter site and a coding region predicted to have a deleterious effect. The functional significance of these findings is under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan D Connealy
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Medicine, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX.
| | - Hope Northrup
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX; Shriners Hospital for Children, Houston, TX
| | - Kit Sing Au
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX
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Iliescu A, Gravel M, Horth C, Gros P. Independent mutations at Arg181 and Arg274 of Vangl proteins that are associated with neural tube defects in humans decrease protein stability and impair membrane targeting. Biochemistry 2014; 53:5356-64. [PMID: 25068569 DOI: 10.1021/bi500400g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
In vertebrates, Vangl proteins play important roles during embryogenesis, including establishing planar polarity and coordinating convergent extension movements. In mice, homozygosity for mutations in the Vangl1 and Vangl2 genes or combined heterozygosity for Vangl1/Vangl2 mutations causes the very severe neural tube defect (NTD) craniorachischisis. Recently, a number of patient-specific VANGL1 and VANGL2 protein mutations have been identified in familial and sporadic cases of mild and severe forms of NTDs. The biochemical nature of pathological effects in these mutations remains unknown. Of interest are two arginine residues, R181 and R274, that are highly conserved in Vangl protein homologues and found to be independently mutated in VANGL1 (R181Q and R274Q) and VANGL2 (R177H and R270H) in human cases of NTDs. The cellular and biochemical properties of R181Q and R274Q were established in transfected MDCK kidney epithelial cells and compared to those of wild-type (WT) Vangl1. Compared to that of WT, these mutations displayed impaired targeting to the plasma membrane and were instead detected in an intracellular endomembrane compartment that was positive for the endoplasmic reticulum. R181Q and R274Q showed impaired stability with significant reductions in measured half-lives from >20 h for WT protein to 9 and 5 h, respectively. These mutations have a cellular and biochemical phenotype that is indistinguishable from that of Vangl mutations known to cause craniorachichisis in mice (Lp). These results strongly suggest that R181 and R274 play critical roles in Vangl protein function and that their mutations cause neural tube defects in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Iliescu
- Department of Biochemistry and ‡Complex Traits Group, McGill University , Montreal, QC, Canada H3G-0B1
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Prevalence of neural tube defect in southern Thailand: a population-based survey during 2009-2012. Childs Nerv Syst 2014; 30:1269-75. [PMID: 24740441 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-014-2410-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a group of congenital malformation of the central nervous system that leads to permanent physical disability and requires lifelong treatment. In Thailand, there have been three published articles on NTDs, all hospital-based studies, which found prevalence of NTDs of 4.8-6.7 per 10,000 live births. OBJECTIVE It was our purpose with this study to determine the prevalence and type of NTDs in southern Thailand through a population-based survey. METHOD Data were obtained through the population-based surveillance during 2009-2012 in three provinces (Songkhla, Phatthalung, Trang) in southern Thailand. Entries in the birth defects registry included all live births, all stillbirths after 24-week gestational age, and termination of pregnancy following the prenatal diagnosis at any gestational age of all congenital anomalies. RESULTS During 2009-2012, 148,759 births were registered in the three provinces. Twenty-eight NTD cases were identified, giving an average of 1.88 per 10,000 births (95 % CI 1.20-2.51): 12 cases with anencephaly (42.8 %), 5 with occipital encephalocele (17.9 %), and 11 with myelomeningocele (39.3 %). The birth prevalence per 10,000 births of anencephaly, encephalocele, and myelomeningocele were 0.81, 0.33, and 0.74, respectively. Sixteen (57 %) were detected in live births, and 12 (43 %) were detected by prenatal diagnosis which later resulted in termination of pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of NTDs based on the population-based study in southern Thailand was low. About 40 % of NTD cases were detected prenatally and later terminated. Hence, examining only registry live births will result in an inaccurately low NTD prevalence rate.
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Genetic evidence in planar cell polarity signaling pathway in human neural tube defects. Front Med 2013; 8:68-78. [PMID: 24307374 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-014-0308-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a group of birth anomalies having a profound physical, emotional, and financial effects on families and communities. Their etiology is complex, involving environmental and genetic factors that interact to modulate the incidence and severity of the developing phenotype. The planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway controls the process of convergent extension (CE) during gastrulation and neural tube closure and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of NTDs in animal models and human cohorts. This review summarizes the cumulative results of recent studies on PCP signaling pathway and human NTDs. These results demonstrate that PCP gene alterations contribute to the etiology of human NTDs.
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Zhao T, Gan Q, Stokes A, Lassiter RNT, Wang Y, Chan J, Han JX, Pleasure DE, Epstein JA, Zhou CJ. β-catenin regulates Pax3 and Cdx2 for caudal neural tube closure and elongation. Development 2013; 141:148-57. [PMID: 24284205 DOI: 10.1242/dev.101550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Non-canonical Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling plays a primary role in the convergent extension that drives neural tube closure and body axis elongation. PCP signaling gene mutations cause severe neural tube defects (NTDs). However, the role of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling in neural tube closure and NTDs remains poorly understood. This study shows that conditional gene targeting of β-catenin in the dorsal neural folds of mouse embryos represses the expression of the homeobox-containing genes Pax3 and Cdx2 at the dorsal posterior neuropore (PNP), and subsequently diminishes the expression of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling target genes T, Tbx6 and Fgf8 at the tail bud, leading to spina bifida aperta, caudal axis bending and tail truncation. We demonstrate that Pax3 and Cdx2 are novel downstream targets of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Transgenic activation of Pax3 cDNA can rescue the closure defect in the β-catenin mutants, suggesting that Pax3 is a key downstream effector of β-catenin signaling in the PNP closure process. Cdx2 is known to be crucial in posterior axis elongation and in neural tube closure. We found that Cdx2 expression is also repressed in the dorsal PNPs of Pax3-null embryos. However, the ectopically activated Pax3 in the β-catenin mutants cannot restore Cdx2 mRNA in the dorsal PNP, suggesting that the presence of both β-catenin and Pax3 is required for regional Cdx2 expression. Thus, β-catenin signaling is required for caudal neural tube closure and elongation, acting through the transcriptional regulation of key target genes in the PNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Zhao
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine at Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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Allache R, Lachance S, Guyot MC, De Marco P, Merello E, Justice MJ, Capra V, Kibar Z. Novel mutations in Lrp6 orthologs in mouse and human neural tube defects affect a highly dosage-sensitive Wnt non-canonical planar cell polarity pathway. Hum Mol Genet 2013; 23:1687-99. [PMID: 24203697 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddt558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling has been classified as canonical Wnt/β-catenin-dependent or non-canonical planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway. Misregulation of either pathway is linked mainly to cancer or neural tube defects (NTDs), respectively. Both pathways seem to antagonize each other, and recent studies have implicated a number of molecular switches that activate one pathway while simultaneously inhibiting the other thereby partially mediating this antagonism. The lipoprotein receptor-related protein Lrp6 is crucial for the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, but its function in Wnt/PCP signaling remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigate the role of Lrp6 as a molecular switch between both Wnt pathways in a novel ENU mouse mutant of Lrp6 (Skax26(m1Jus)) and in human NTDs. We demonstrate that Skax26(m1Jus) represents a hypermorphic allele of Lrp6 with increased Wnt canonical and abolished PCP-induced JNK activities. We also show that Lrp6(Skax26-Jus) genetically interacts with a PCP mutant (Vangl2(Lp)) where double heterozygotes showed an increased frequency of NTDs and defects in cochlear hair cells' polarity. Importantly, our study also demonstrates the association of rare and novel missense mutations in LRP6 that is an inhibitor rather than an activator of the PCP pathway with human NTDs. We show that three LRP6 mutations in NTDs led to a reduced Wnt canonical activity and enhanced PCP signaling. Our data confirm an inhibitory role of Lrp6 in PCP signaling in neurulation and indicate the importance of a tightly regulated and highly dosage-sensitive antagonism between both Wnt pathways in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Redouane Allache
- CHU Sainte Justine Research Center and University of Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada H3T 1C5
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Safra N, Bassuk AG, Ferguson PJ, Aguilar M, Coulson RL, Thomas N, Hitchens PL, Dickinson PJ, Vernau KM, Wolf ZT, Bannasch DL. Genome-wide association mapping in dogs enables identification of the homeobox gene, NKX2-8, as a genetic component of neural tube defects in humans. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003646. [PMID: 23874236 PMCID: PMC3715436 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Accepted: 06/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) is a general term for central nervous system malformations secondary to a failure of closure or development of the neural tube. The resulting pathologies may involve the brain, spinal cord and/or vertebral column, in addition to associated structures such as soft tissue or skin. The condition is reported among the more common birth defects in humans, leading to significant infant morbidity and mortality. The etiology remains poorly understood but genetic, nutritional, environmental factors, or a combination of these, are known to play a role in the development of NTDs. The variable conditions associated with NTDs occur naturally in dogs, and have been previously reported in the Weimaraner breed. Taking advantage of the strong linkage-disequilibrium within dog breeds we performed genome-wide association analysis and mapped a genomic region for spinal dysraphism, a presumed NTD, using 4 affected and 96 unaffected Weimaraners. The associated region on canine chromosome 8 (pgenome =3.0 × 10(-5)), after 100,000 permutations, encodes 18 genes, including NKX2-8, a homeobox gene which is expressed in the developing neural tube. Sequencing NKX2-8 in affected Weimaraners revealed a G to AA frameshift mutation within exon 2 of the gene, resulting in a premature stop codon that is predicted to produce a truncated protein. The exons of NKX2-8 were sequenced in human patients with spina bifida and rare variants (rs61755040 and rs10135525) were found to be significantly over-represented (p=0.036). This is the first documentation of a potential role for NKX2-8 in the etiology of NTDs, made possible by investigating the molecular basis of naturally occurring mutations in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa Safra
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.
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Vogel TW, Carter CS, Abode-Iyamah K, Zhang Q, Robinson S. The role of primary cilia in the pathophysiology of neural tube defects. Neurosurg Focus 2013; 33:E2. [PMID: 23025443 DOI: 10.3171/2012.6.focus12222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a set of disorders that occur from perturbation of normal neural development. They occur in open or closed forms anywhere along the craniospinal axis and often result from a complex interaction between environmental and genetic factors. One burgeoning area of genetics research is the effect of cilia signaling on the developing neural tube and how the disruption of primary cilia leads to the development of NTDs. Recent progress has implicated the hedgehog (Hh), wingless-type integration site family (Wnt), and planar cell polarity (PCP) pathways in primary cilia as involved in normal neural tube patterning. A set of disorders involving cilia function, known as ciliopathies, offers insight into abnormal neural development. In this article, the authors discuss the common ciliopathies, such as Meckel-Gruber and Joubert syndromes, that are associated with NTDs, and review cilia-related signaling cascades responsible for mammalian neural tube development. Understanding the contribution of cilia in the formation of NTDs may provide greater insight into this common set of pediatric neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy W Vogel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Wang B, Liu M, Yan W, Mao J, Jiang D, Li H, Chen Y. Association of SNPs in genes involved in folate metabolism with the risk of congenital heart disease. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2013; 26:1768-77. [DOI: 10.3109/14767058.2013.799648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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