ASPP2 deficiency causes features of 1q41q42 microdeletion syndrome

Quantitative Image Processing for Three-Dimensional Episcopic Images of Biological Structures: Current State and Future Directions

Episcopic imaging using techniques such as High Resolution Episcopic Microscopy (HREM) and its variants, allows biological samples to be visualized in three dimensions over a large field of view. Quantitative analysis of episcopic image data is undertaken using a range of methods. In this systematic review, we look at trends in quantitative analysis of episcopic images and discuss avenues for further research. Papers published between 2011 and 2022 were analyzed for details about quantitative analysis approaches, methods of image annotation and choice of image processing software. It is shown that quantitative processing is becoming more common in episcopic microscopy and that manual annotation is the predominant method of image analysis. Our meta-analysis highlights where tools and methods require further development in this field, and we discuss what this means for the future of quantitative episcopic imaging, as well as how annotation and quantification may be automated and standardized across the field.

Molecular cytogenetic characterization of a de novo chromosome 1q41-q42.11 microdeletion of paternal origin in a 15-year-old boy with mental retardation, developmental delay, autism and congenital heart defects

OBJECTIVE

We present molecular cytogenetic characterization of a de novo chromosome 1q41-q42.11 microdeletion of paternal origin in a mentally retarded child of a family requesting for genetic counseling of the future pregnancy.

CASE REPORT

A 43-year-old, gravida 1, para 1, woman, who had a 15-year-old son with mental retardation, planned to have another normal child and requested for genetic counseling of the future pregnancy. Her husband was 48 years old. The 15-year-old boy had a body height of 148 cm (<3rd centile) and a body weight of 40 Kg (<35th centile). He had facial dysmorphism, mental retardation, scoliosis, abnormal gaits, tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary stenosis and autism but did not have any history of epilepsy. Cytogenetic analysis of the boy and the parents revealed normal karyotypes. Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis of the family revealed a de novo 2.028-Mb 1q41-q42.11 microdeletion, or arr 1q41q42.11 (222,571,596-224,599,234) × 1.0 [GRCh37 (hg19)], encompassing 13 Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) genes including DISP1, SUSD4, FBXO28, TP53BP2 and WDR26 in the child. Quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed a paternal origin of the deletion. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis confirmed a 1q41 deletion.

CONCLUSION

Genetic counseling of the parents who have a previous child with mental retardation and who wish to have another normal child in the future pregnancy should include genetic studies, and aCGH is useful under such a circumstance.

The Complement Regulator Susd4 Influences Nervous-System Function and Neuronal Morphology in Mice

The SUSD4 (Sushi domain-containing protein 4) gene encodes a complement inhibitor that is frequently deleted in 1q41q42 microdeletion syndrome, a multisystem congenital disorder that includes neurodevelopmental abnormalities. To understand SUSD4's role in the mammalian nervous system, we analyzed Susd4 knockout (KO) mice. Susd4 KO mice exhibited significant defects in motor performance and significantly higher levels of anxiety-like behaviors. Susd4 KO brain had abnormal “hairy” basket cells surrounding Purkinje neurons within the cerebellum and significantly reduced dendritic spine density in hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Neurons and oligodendrocyte lineage cells of wild-type mice were found to express Susd4 mRNA. Protein expression of the complement component C1q was increased in the brains of Susd4 KO mice. Our data indicate that SUSD4 plays an important role in neuronal functions, possibly via the complement pathway, and that SUSD4 deletion may contribute to the nervous system abnormalities in patients with 1q41q42 deletions.

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Susd4 is expressed in neurons and oligodendrocyte lineage cells

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Susd4 knockout mice have abnormal hippocampal and cerebellar neuronal morphologies

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Susd4 knockout mice exhibit anxiety-like behaviors and impaired motor function

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Susd4 knockout mice have elevated brain levels of the complement component C1q

High-Resolution Episcopic Microscopy (HREM): Looking Back on 13 Years of Successful Generation of Digital Volume Data of Organic Material for 3D Visualisation and 3D Display

High-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM) is an imaging technique that permits the simple and rapid generation of three-dimensional (3D) digital volume data of histologically embedded and physically sectioned specimens. The data can be immediately used for high-detail 3D analysis of a broad variety of organic materials with all modern methods of 3D visualisation and display. Since its first description in 2006, HREM has been adopted as a method for exploring organic specimens in many fields of science, and it has recruited a slowly but steadily growing user community. This review aims to briefly introduce the basic principles of HREM data generation and to provide an overview of scientific publications that have been published in the last 13 years involving HREM imaging. The studies to which we refer describe technical details and specimen-specific protocols, and provide examples of the successful use of HREM in biological, biomedical and medical research. Finally, the limitations, potentials and anticipated further improvements are briefly outlined.