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Filareto I, Cinelli G, Scalabrini I, Caramaschi E, Bergonzini P, Spezia E, Todeschini A, Iughetti L. EIF2B2 gene mutation causing early onset vanishing white matter disease: a case report. Ital J Pediatr 2022; 48:128. [PMID: 35897042 PMCID: PMC9327270 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-022-01325-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter (VWM) is an autosomal recessive neurological disease. The physiopathology of disease is still little understood, but it seems to involve impairment in maturation of astrocytes; as a consequence white matter is more prone to cellular stress. Disease is caused by mutations in five genes encoding subunits of the translation initiation factor eIF2B. We know five different types of VWM syndrome classified based different ages of onset (prenatal, infantile, childhood, juvenile and adult onset). Case presentation We report the case of a 4-month-old boy with early seizure onset, recurrent hypoglycemia and post mortem diagnosis of vanishing white matter disease (VMD). At the admission he presented suspected critical episodes, resolved after intravenous administration of benzodiazepines. The brain MRI showed total absence of myelination that suggested hypomyelination leukoencephalopathy. The whole exome sequencing (WES) revealed a variant of EIF2B2 gene (p. Val308Met) present in homozygosity. In this case report we also describe the clinical evolution of seizures, in fact the epileptic seizures had a polymorphic aspect, from several complex partial seizures secondarily generalized to status epilepticus. Conclusion Infantile and early childhood onset forms are associated with chronic progressive neurological signs, with episodes of rapid neurological worsening, and poor prognosis, with death in few months or years. Clinical presentation of epilepsy is poorly documented and do not include detailed information about the type, time of onset and severity of seizures. No therapeutic strategies for VWM disease have been reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Filareto
- Post Graduate School of Pediatrics, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Largo del Pozzo, 71 - 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Cinelli
- Post Graduate School of Pediatrics, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Largo del Pozzo, 71 - 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Scalabrini
- Post Graduate School of Pediatrics, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Largo del Pozzo, 71 - 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisa Caramaschi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mothers, Children and Adults, Pediatric Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Largo del Pozzo, 71 - 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Patrizia Bergonzini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mothers, Children and Adults, Pediatric Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Largo del Pozzo, 71 - 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Spezia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mothers, Children and Adults, Pediatric Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Largo del Pozzo, 71 - 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Todeschini
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital of Modena, Largo del Pozzo, Modena, 71 - 41124, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Iughetti
- Post Graduate School of Pediatrics, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Largo del Pozzo, 71 - 41124, Modena, Italy. .,Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mothers, Children and Adults, Pediatric Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Largo del Pozzo, 71 - 41124, Modena, Italy.
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Barczykowski AL, Langan TJ, Vanderver A, Jalal K, Carter RL. Death rates in the U.S. due to Leukodystrophies with pediatric forms. Am J Med Genet A 2021; 185:2361-2373. [PMID: 33960638 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
To use national mortality and state death certificate records to estimate disease specific mortality rates among pediatric and adult populations for 23 leukodystrophies (LDs) with pediatric forms. Additionally, to calculate yearly prevalence and caseload of the most severe LD cases that will eventually result in pediatric death (i.e., pediatric fatality cases). Death certificate records describing cause of death were collected from states based on 10 ICD-10 codes associated with the 23 LDs. Deaths in the U.S. with these codes were distributed into categories based on proportions identified in state death certificate data. Mortality rates, prevalence, and caseload were calculated from resulting expected numbers, population sizes, and average lifetimes. An estimated 1.513 per 1,000,000 0-17 year old's died of these LDs at average age 5.2 years and 0.194 for those ≥18 at an average age of 42.3 years. Prevalence of pediatric fatality cases of these LDs declined from 1999 through 2007 and then remained constant at 6.2 per million children per year through 2012. Epidemiological information, currently lacking for rare diseases, is useful to newborn screening programs, research funding agencies, and care centers for LD patients. Methods used here are generally useful for studying rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Barczykowski
- Population Health Observatory, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.,Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Thomas J Langan
- Hunter James Kelly Research Institute, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.,Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Adeline Vanderver
- The Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,The Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kabir Jalal
- Population Health Observatory, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.,Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Randy L Carter
- Population Health Observatory, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.,Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
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Hamilton EMC, van der Lei HDW, Vermeulen G, Gerver JAM, Lourenço CM, Naidu S, Mierzewska H, Gemke RJBJ, de Vet HCW, Uitdehaag BMJ, Lissenberg-Witte BI, van der Knaap MS. Natural History of Vanishing White Matter. Ann Neurol 2018; 84:274-288. [PMID: 30014503 PMCID: PMC6175238 DOI: 10.1002/ana.25287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To comprehensively describe the natural history of vanishing white matter (VWM), aiming at improving counseling of patients/families and providing natural history data for future therapeutic trials. METHODS We performed a longitudinal multicenter study among 296 genetically confirmed VWM patients. Clinical information was obtained via disease-specific clinical questionnaire, Health Utilities Index and Guy's Neurological Disability Scale assessments, and chart review. RESULTS First disease signs occurred at a median age of 3 years (mode = 2 years, range = before birth to 54 years); 60% of patients were symptomatic before the age of 4 years. The nature of the first signs varied for different ages of onset. Overall, motor problems were the most common presenting sign, especially in children. Adolescent and adult onset patients were more likely to exhibit cognitive problems early after disease onset. One hundred two patients were deceased. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed a positive relation between age at onset and both preservation of ambulation and survival. Absence of stress-provoked episodes and absence of seizures predicted more favorable outcome. In patients with onset before 4 years, earlier onset was associated with more severe disability and higher mortality. For onset from 4 years on, disease course was generally milder, with a wide variation in severity. There were no significant differences for sex or for the 5 eIF2B gene groups. The results confirm the presence of a genotype-phenotype correlation. INTERPRETATION The VWM disease spectrum consists of a continuum with extremely wide variability. Age at onset is a strong predictor for disease course. Ann Neurol 2018;84:274-288.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline M C Hamilton
- Department of Child Neurology and Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hannemieke D W van der Lei
- Department of Child Neurology and Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gerre Vermeulen
- Department of Child Neurology and Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan A M Gerver
- Department of Child Neurology and Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Charles M Lourenço
- Clinics Hospital of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Sakkubai Naidu
- Department of Neurogenetics, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Hanna Mierzewska
- Department of Child and Adolescent Neurology, Institute of Mother and Child, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Reinoud J B J Gemke
- Department of Pediatrics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henrica C W de Vet
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Birgit I Lissenberg-Witte
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Marjo S van der Knaap
- Department of Child Neurology and Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Porciuncula R, Spada PKWDS, Goulart KOB. LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY WITH EVANESCENT WHITE MATTER: A CASE REPORT. REVISTA PAULISTA DE PEDIATRIA 2018; 36:515-518. [PMID: 29995139 PMCID: PMC6322808 DOI: 10.1590/1984-0462/;2018;36;4;00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To describe the case of a child diagnosed with leukoencephalopathy with
vanishing white matter (LVWM), a rare genetic disease with autosomal
recessive inheritance pattern. Case description: A 5-month-old male child started to refuse breast-feeding, showing
somnolence and signs of dehydration,with dry mouth, increasing body
temperature and adipsy. As days went by, the symptoms got worse. The infant
was very sleepy and was transferred to the intensive care unit, where he
stayed for one week. At this time, a signal alteration with hyper attenuated
T2 predominance was identified in the magnetic resonance imaging,
compromising the white matter, which had diffuse and symmetrical aspect. At
this time, the infant started to present seizures. When the infant was 11
months old, he was diagnosed with tonsillitis and presented recurrent fever
peaks and extreme sleepiness. After hospital admission, the infant
progressed to a comatose state and died. The diagnosis of LVWM was confirmed
in examinations performed after death. As a late diagnosis, a genetic
disease was identified with a mutation in one of the five genes responsible
for the codification of complex eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B
(eIF2B), involved with the control of the protein translation and which is
described as pathogenic in individuals with LVWM. Comments: LVWM is a hereditary brain disease that occurs primarily in children. The
disease is chronic and progressive, with additional episodes of rapid
deterioration, as shown in the present case report.
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Zhou L, Zhang H, Chen N, Zhang Z, Liu M, Dai L, Wang J, Jiang Y, Wu Y. Similarities and differences between infantile and early childhood onset vanishing white matter disease. J Neurol 2018; 265:1410-1418. [PMID: 29663120 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-018-8851-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 03/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Vanishing white matter disease (VWM) is one of the most prevalent inherited leukoencephalopathies in childhood. Infantile VWM is more severe but less understood than the classic early childhood type. We performed a follow-up study on 14 infantile and 26 childhood patients to delineate the natural history and neuroimaging features of VWM. Infantile and childhood patients shared similarities in the incidence of epileptic seizure (35.7 vs. 38.5%) and episodic aggravation (92.9 vs. 84.6%). Developmental delay before disease onset was more common in infantile patients. Motor disability was earlier and more severe in infantile VWM. In survivors with disease durations of 1-3 years, the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) was classified as IV-V in 66.7% of infantile and only 29.4% of childhood patients. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis indicated that the 5-year survival rates were 21.6 and 91.3% in infantile and childhood VWM, respectively. In terms of MRI, infantile patients showed more extensive involvement and earlier rarefaction, with more common involvement of subcortical white matter, internal capsule, brain stem and dentate nuclei of the cerebellum. Restricted diffusion was more diffuse or extensive in infantile patients. In addition, four novel mutations were identified. In conclusion, we identified some similarities and differences in the natural history and neuroimaging features between infantile and early childhood VWM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Haihua Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Na Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Zhongbin Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Lifang Dai
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Jingmin Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Yuwu Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Ye Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China.
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White R, Gonsior C, Bauer NM, Krämer-Albers EM, Luhmann HJ, Trotter J. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) F is a novel component of oligodendroglial RNA transport granules contributing to regulation of myelin basic protein (MBP) synthesis. J Biol Chem 2011; 287:1742-54. [PMID: 22128153 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.235010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelin basic protein (MBP) is a major component of central nervous system (CNS) myelin. The absence of MBP results in the loss of almost all compact myelin in the CNS. MBP mRNA is sorted into RNA granules that are transported to the periphery of oligodendrocytes in a translationally inactive state. A central mediator of this transport process is the trans-acting factor heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A2 that binds to the cis-acting A2-response element in the 3'UTR of MBP mRNA. Recently, we found that activation of the Src family nonreceptor tyrosine kinase Fyn in oligodendrocytes leads to phosphorylation of hnRNP A2 and to increased translation of MBP mRNA. Here, we identify the RNA-binding protein hnRNP F as a novel component of MBP mRNA transport granules. It is associated with hnRNP A2 and MBP mRNA in cytoplasmic granular structures and is involved in post-transcriptional regulation of MBP expression. Fyn kinase activity results in phosphorylation of hnRNP F in the cytoplasm and its release from MBP mRNA and RNA granules. Our results define hnRNP F as a regulatory element of MBP expression in oligodendrocytes and imply an important function of hnRNP F in the control of myelin synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin White
- Department of Biology, Molecular Cell Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Bentzelweg 3, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
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Zahavi A, Perel M. The information encoded by the sex steroid hormones testosterone and estrogen: a hypothesis. J Theor Biol 2011; 280:146-9. [PMID: 21530548 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2011.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2010] [Revised: 12/31/2010] [Accepted: 04/12/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
It is suggested that the sex steroid hormones testosterone and estrogen (SSH) provide receptor cells with reliable information on protein synthesis and on the level of oxidative metabolism in the cells of the gonads. The SSH are derived from the oxidation of cholesterol. This oxidation is a side reaction of the oxidative processes in the mitochondria that generate most of the energy to the organism. The amount of SSH that is synthesized is correlated to the partial pressure of oxygen at the synthesizing cells. The amount of free SSH that a cell can hold is checked by the damage that free steroids may cause. This damage is prevented by proteins that bind with SSH. As a result, SSH levels are correlated also with the ability of the SSH synthesizing cell to produce proteins that bind with them. A cell can only synthesize SSH in relation to the oxidative processes within it and to its ability to produce the binding proteins necessary to prevent the damage caused by SSH. As a result, the information conveyed by SSH is reliable. We examine the specific damage caused by testosterone and estrogen, and suggest why each of them is best suited for its function. Although both SSH can provide similar information on the metabolism in the cells that synthesize them, there are secondary reasons why testosterone and estrogen were selected to serve particular functions. Testosterone improves the efficiency of the proton pump at the mitochondria in producing ATP, but increases oxidative damage. Estrogen on the other hand decreases oxygen damage but also decreases the efficiency of the proton pump. These differences between the two SSH may explain why females use estrogen to inform the body about the activity of the cells in their gonads while males do it by testosterone. The increased oxidative damage may also explain why in males the testosterone that reaches the brain is turned into estrogen. We also suggest why fish use 11-keto testosterone and why insects do not use these two steroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amotz Zahavi
- Dept. of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
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