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Qu D, Schürmann P, Rothämel T, Fleßner J, Rehberg D, Dörk T, Klintschar M. Revisiting the association of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) with polymorphisms of NHE3 and IL13. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:743-749. [PMID: 38091065 PMCID: PMC11003888 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03139-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Disturbances of the central nervous system and immune system are thought to play a role in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Dysregulated expression of sodium (Na+)/hydrogen (H+) exchanger 3 (NHE3) in the brainstem and of interleukin 13 (IL13) in the lungs has been observed in SIDS. An association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in NHE3 and IL13 with SIDS has been proposed, but controversial results were reported. Therefore, there is a need to revisit the association of SNPs in NHE3 and IL13 with SIDS. METHODS Genotyping of rs71597645 (G1131A) and rs2247114 (C2405T) in NHE3 and rs20541 (+ 4464A/G) in IL13 was performed in 201 SIDS cases and 338 controls. A meta-analysis was performed after merging our data with previously published data (all from European populations). RESULTS Polymorphisms rs2247114 (NHE3) and rs20541 (IL13) were significantly associated with SIDS overall and in multiple subgroups, but no association was found for rs71597645 (NHE3). After combining our data with previously published data, a fixed-effect meta-analysis showed that rs2247114 in NHE3 retained a significant association with SIDS under a recessive model (OR 2.78, 95%CI 1.53 to 5.06; p = 0.0008). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest an association of NHE3 variant rs2247114 (C2405T), though not rs71597645 (NHE3), with SIDS. A potential role of rs20541 (IL13) still has to be elucidated. Especially NHE3 seems to be an interesting topic for future SIDS research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Qu
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Peter Schürmann
- Gynaecology Research Unit, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Rothämel
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jessica Fleßner
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Daniela Rehberg
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thilo Dörk
- Gynaecology Research Unit, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Klintschar
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
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Qu D, Preuss V, Hagemeier L, Radomsky L, Beushausen K, Keil J, Nora S, Vennemann B, Falk CS, Klintschar M. Age-related cytokine imbalance in the thymus in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Pediatr Res 2024; 95:949-958. [PMID: 37679518 PMCID: PMC10920197 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02809-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been considered to be triggered by a combination of underlying immune dysregulation and infections. The thymus is a crucial lymphatic organ responsible for T cell development in infancy. We hypothesized that an altered thymic immune status may be detectable by intrathymic cytokine profiling in SIDS. METHODS 27 cytokines in protein lysates of thymus tissue and thymus weights were assessed in 26 SIDS cases and 16 infants who died of other reasons. RESULTS Seventeen out of 27 cytokines were increased in thymic tissue of SIDS compared to controls without infections, and the most significant discrepancy was in infants younger than 20 weeks. The thymic cytokine profiles in SIDS cases were similar to those in controls with severe infection; however, the magnitude of the cytokine concentration elevation in SIDS was less pronounced, indicating sub-clinical infections in SIDS. In contrast to SIDS, intrathymic cytokine concentrations and thymus weight were increased with age in control children. CONCLUSIONS Elevated thymic cytokine expression and thymus weight, as well as impaired age-related alterations in SIDS, may be influenced by subclinical infection, which may play a role in initiating SIDS in infants with a compromised immune response. IMPACT STATEMENT Increased thymic weight and cytokine concentration may suggest possible subclinical infection in SIDS. Elevated thymic weight and cytokine concentration mainly in SIDS cases aged <20 weeks. Age-related impairment in the thymic weight and cytokine expression may be impaired by subclinical infection in SIDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Qu
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Vanessa Preuss
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lars Hagemeier
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lena Radomsky
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, TTU-IICH, Hannover-Braunschweig site, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kerstin Beushausen
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jana Keil
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Schaumann Nora
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Christine S Falk
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, TTU-IICH, Hannover-Braunschweig site, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Klintschar
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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Ferrante L, Opdal SH, Byard RW. Understanding the immune profile of sudden infant death syndrome - proteomic perspectives. Acta Paediatr 2024; 113:249-255. [PMID: 37792385 DOI: 10.1111/apa.16988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to investigate a panel of immune proteins in cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It was hypothesised that, in at least a subset of SIDS, a dysregulated immune response may be a contributing factor leading to death. METHODS The subjects included 46 SIDS cases and 41 controls autopsied at the Department of Forensic Sciences, Norway. The causes of death in the controls were accidents/trauma. Samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were analysed quantitatively by Proximity Extension Assay (PEA). RESULTS Initial results revealed that normalised protein expression differed in 35 proteins. For the purposes of this report five proteins that are involved in immune system were selected for analysis: IFNLR1 (p = 0.003), IL10 (p = 0.007), IRAK4 (p < 0.001) and IL6 (p = 0.035); all had lower protein concentrations in SIDS cases compared to controls except for CD28 (p = 0.024) which had higher protein concentrations in SIDS cases. CONCLUSION The results confirm previous studies indicating that a dysregulation of the immune system may be a predisposing factor for SIDS. The results may indicate that these aberrant protein concentrations could lead to an inadequate response to immune triggers and uncontrolled defence mechanisms towards the common cold or other non-fatal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Ferrante
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Section of Forensic Pathology and Clinical Forensic Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Siri H Opdal
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Section of Forensic Pathology and Clinical Forensic Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Roger W Byard
- The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Qu D, Engelmann TA, Preuss V, Hagemeier L, Radomsky L, Beushausen K, Keil J, Vennemann B, Falk CS, Klintschar M. Pulmonary immune profiling of SIDS: impaired immune maturation and age-related cytokine imbalance. Pediatr Res 2023; 93:1239-1249. [PMID: 35986144 PMCID: PMC10132963 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02203-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), an impaired immunocompetence has been discussed for a long time. Cytokines and chemokines are soluble immune mediators (SIM) whose balance is essential for the immune status. We hypothesized that an imbalanced immune response might contribute to the etiology of SIDS. METHODS We investigated 27 cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in protein lysates of lungs derived from 29 SIDS cases and 15 control children deceased for other reasons. RESULTS Except for the CCL5, no significant differences were detected in the lungs between SIDS cases with and without mild upper respiratory tract infections. In contrast, IL-1RA, IL-7, IL-13, and G-CSF were decreased in the merged SIDS cases compared to control cases without evidence of infection. Plotting SIM concentrations against infant age resulted in increasing concentrations in control but not in SIDS lungs, indicating a disturbed immune maturation. Moreover, an age-dependent shift towards a Th2-related pattern was observed in SIDS. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that an impaired maturation of the immune system, an insufficient response to respiratory pathogens, and an immune response modulated by Th1/Th2 imbalance might play a possible role in triggering SIDS. These findings might in part be explained by chronic stress. IMPACT Maturation of the cytokine and chemokine network may be impaired in SIDS. An imbalance between Th1- and Th2-related cytokines, which may reflect a state of chronic stress causing a more Th2 shift. An impaired immune maturation, an insufficient response to respiratory pathogens, and an immune response modulated by Th1/Th2 imbalance might play a possible role in SIDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Qu
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Vanessa Preuss
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lars Hagemeier
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lena Radomsky
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, TTU-IICH, Hannover-Braunschweig site, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kerstin Beushausen
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jana Keil
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Christine S Falk
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, TTU-IICH, Hannover-Braunschweig site, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Klintschar
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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Glinge C, Rossetti S, Oestergaard LB, Stampe NK, Lynge TH, Skals R, Winkel BG, Lodder EM, Bezzina CR, Gislason G, Banner J, Behr ER, Torp-Pedersen C, Jabbari R, Tfelt-Hansen J. Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Among Siblings of Children Who Died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Denmark. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2252724. [PMID: 36696110 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.52724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) remains a leading cause of death during the first year of life. The etiology of SIDS is complex and remains largely unknown. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether siblings of children who died of SIDS have a higher risk of SIDS compared with the general pediatric population. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This register-based cohort study used Danish nationwide registers. Participants were all infants (<1 year) in Denmark between January 1, 1978, and December 31, 2016, including siblings of children who died of SIDS. Siblings were followed up from the index cases' date of SIDS, date of birth, or immigration, whichever came first, and until age 1 year, emigration, developing SIDS, death, or study end. The median (IQR) follow-up was 1 (1-1) year. Data analysis was conducted from January 2017 to October 2022. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of SIDS were calculated with Poisson regression models relative to the general population. RESULTS In a population of 2 666 834 consecutive births (1 395 199 [52%] male), 1540 infants died of SIDS (median [IQR] age at SIDS, 3 [2-4] months) during a 39-year study period. A total of 2384 younger siblings (cases) to index cases (first sibling with SIDS) were identified. A higher rate of SIDS was observed among siblings compared with the general population, with SIRs of 4.27 (95% CI, 2.13-8.53) after adjustment for sex, age, and calendar year and of 3.50 (95% CI, 1.75-7.01) after further adjustment for mother's age (<29 years vs ≥29 years) and education (high school vs after high school). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this nationwide study, having a sibling who died of SIDS was associated with a 4-fold higher risk of SIDS compared with the general population. Shared genetic and/or environmental factors may contribute to the observed clustering of SIDS. The family history of SIDS should be considered when assessing SIDS risk in clinical settings. A multidisciplinary genetic evaluation of families with SIDS could provide additional evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Glinge
- Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Heart Centre, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sára Rossetti
- Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Louise Bruun Oestergaard
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Herlev and Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Niels Kjær Stampe
- Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Hadberg Lynge
- Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Regitze Skals
- Department of Cardiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Bo Gregers Winkel
- Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elisabeth M Lodder
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Heart Centre, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Connie R Bezzina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Heart Centre, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gunnar Gislason
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Herlev and Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Danish Heart Foundation, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jytte Banner
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elijah R Behr
- Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, Cardiology Section, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
- St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Mayo Clinic Healthcare, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Torp-Pedersen
- Department of Cardiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, North Zealand University Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Reza Jabbari
- Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jacob Tfelt-Hansen
- Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Gene expression profile in cases of infectious death in infancy. Pediatr Res 2021; 89:483-487. [PMID: 32299088 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-020-0896-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic predispositions in cases suffering sudden unexpected infant death have been a research focus worldwide during the past decade. Despite large efforts, there is still uncertainty concerning the molecular pathogenesis of these deaths. With genetic technology in constant development, the possibility of an alternative approach into this research field has become available, like mRNA expression studies. METHODS In this study, we investigated mRNA gene expression in 14 cases who died suddenly and unexpectedly from infection without a history of severe illness prior to death. The control group included eight accidents, two cases of natural death, one undetermined, one case of medical malpractice, and two homicides. The study included tissue from liver, heart, and brain using Illumina whole-genome gene expression assay. RESULTS From the array, 19 genes showed altered expression in the infectious deaths compared to controls. Tissue from the heart showed 15 genes with altered mRNA expression compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS Downregulation of KCNE5 in heart tissue from cases of infectious death was of particular interest. Variants of KCNE5 are associated with Brugada syndrome and sudden death and could be responsible for the fatal outcome in the group of infectious death. IMPACT KCNE5 is downregulated in tissue from the heart in cases of infectious death in infancy. This study provides knowledge about the gene expression profile in cases of infectious death. Variants of a gene known to give increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia is downregulated in cases of infectious death in infancy. The results could give us better knowledge as to why some infants do not survive an infection. This study provides a candidate gene for future studies.
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Ferrante L, Opdal SH, Nygaard V. No association to sudden infant death syndrome detected by targeted amplicon sequencing of 24 genes. Acta Paediatr 2020; 109:2636-2640. [PMID: 32271962 DOI: 10.1111/apa.15295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM The aim was to identify genetic variants associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) that can cause disease or introduce vulnerability. Genes reported in a previous SIDS study to have altered messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in SIDS were investigated. METHODS Samples from 81 SIDS (56 male/28 female) with a median age of 4 months (range 0.75-9 months) were analysed using Illumina TruSeq custom amplicon for 24 selected genes. Samples were collected from autopsy at Oslo university hospital from children whom died suddenly and unexpectedly from 1988 to 2006. The controls were the germline variation database, Norgene (no description of cases available). RESULTS After filtering for rare variants, there were a total of 38 variants in the 81 SIDS cases and 462 variants in the 789 controls. After the filtration and curation steps, we found 36 rare variants. The overall occurrence of rare variants for all the SIDS samples was lower than for the Norgene population. CONCLUSION There was no association between rare variants in the included genes and SIDS. Although not statistically significant, two of the SIDS cases had a rare variant in the MyD88 gene: rs746651350, rs200424253.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Ferrante
- Department of Forensic Sciences Section of Forensic Pathology and Clinical Forensic Medicine Oslo of University Hospital Oslo Norway
| | - Siri H. Opdal
- Department of Forensic Sciences Section of Forensic Pathology and Clinical Forensic Medicine Oslo of University Hospital Oslo Norway
| | - Vegard Nygaard
- Department of Core Facilities Oslo University Hospital Oslo Norway
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Wilkins-Haug L. Genetic innovations and our understanding of stillbirth. Hum Genet 2020; 139:1161-1172. [PMID: 32318853 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-020-02146-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Stillbirth after 20 weeks gestation happens in 1 in 200 pregnancies and occurs more commonly than neonatal loss and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDs) combined. The stillbirth rate is several times greater in low as opposed to high-resource countries. However, among high-resource countries, although a lower overall stillbirth rate exists, there has been little change for several decades. Molecular genetic technologies are emerging as important contributors to our understanding of stillbirth. Initially, genetic etiologies included alterations in chromosome number or structure such as aneuploidy and microduplications and deletions. More recently, next-generation sequencing analysis in two genetic conditions, Smith Lemli Optiz Syndrome (SLOs) and the channelopathy disorders (such as long QT syndrome (LQTS)) provide examples into the association of pathogenic gene variants with stillbirth. Although these specific conditions individually account for only a small number of stillbirths, investigating these disorders provides a new and innovative approach for further understanding genetic contributors to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Our knowledge of the role of genetic disease as an etiology for stillbirth is elementary. Genomic interrogation of maternal-fetal genotypes, gene-gene, and genotype-environment interaction is lacking in stillbirth research. At the DNA sequence level, further investigation of variants of unknown significance is an opportunity for exploration of biologic pathways of importance to pregnancy loss. This review concentrates on SLO as an example of a single gene disorder with a high carrier but low affected liveborn proband rate. The channelopathy disorders are included as initial examples of genetic conditions with variable presentation including an association with sudden infant death syndrome. Highlighted are the challenges when numerous genes and variants are involved, and the task of assigning pathogenicity. The advantages and limitations of genetic evaluations are presented and avenues for further research considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Wilkins-Haug
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 01770, USA.
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Bjørnvall CD, Opdal SH, Rognum TO, Ferrante L. Polymorphisms in the myeloid differentiation primary response 88 pathway do not explain low expression levels in sudden infant death syndrome. Acta Paediatr 2019; 108:1262-1266. [PMID: 30550627 DOI: 10.1111/apa.14696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to investigate if a range of known rare and common genetic variants in the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) pathway were present or overrepresented in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) compared to controls. METHODS Genetic variations in the genes encoding TLR4, MyD88 and Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 were analysed. The subjects investigated included 158 SIDS cases with a median age of 15.25 weeks (2-47 weeks), 80 cases of infectious death with a median age of 24.9 weeks (0-285 weeks) and 199 adult controls with a median age of 50 years (11-86 years). The cases were collected in the years 1988-2017, and the autopsies were performed at the Department of Forensic Sciences at Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. RESULTS The results showed that none of the genetic variants selected from the MyD88 pathway were associated with neither SIDS nor infectious death. Most of the rare genetic variants were homozygote for the common allele in all groups, while the rest revealed allelic variation. CONCLUSION The genetic variations investigated in this study did not appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of SIDS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Siri H. Opdal
- Department of Forensic Sciences Section of Paediatric Forensic Medicine Oslo University Hospital Oslo Norway
| | - Torleiv O. Rognum
- Department of Forensic Sciences Section of Paediatric Forensic Medicine Oslo University Hospital Oslo Norway
- Department of Forensic Medicine University of Oslo Oslo Norway
| | - Linda Ferrante
- Department of Forensic Sciences Section of Paediatric Forensic Medicine Oslo University Hospital Oslo Norway
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Noncardiac genetic predisposition in sudden infant death syndrome. Genet Med 2018; 21:641-649. [DOI: 10.1038/s41436-018-0131-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
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Elhaik E. A "Wear and Tear" Hypothesis to Explain Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Front Neurol 2016; 7:180. [PMID: 27840622 PMCID: PMC5083856 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2016.00180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death among USA infants under 1 year of age accounting for ~2,700 deaths per year. Although formally SIDS dates back at least 2,000 years and was even mentioned in the Hebrew Bible (Kings 3:19), its etiology remains unexplained prompting the CDC to initiate a sudden unexpected infant death case registry in 2010. Due to their total dependence, the ability of the infant to allostatically regulate stressors and stress responses shaped by genetic and environmental factors is severely constrained. We propose that SIDS is the result of cumulative painful, stressful, or traumatic exposures that begin in utero and tax neonatal regulatory systems incompatible with allostasis. We also identify several putative biochemical mechanisms involved in SIDS. We argue that the important characteristics of SIDS, namely male predominance (60:40), the significantly different SIDS rate among USA Hispanics (80% lower) compared to whites, 50% of cases occurring between 7.6 and 17.6 weeks after birth with only 10% after 24.7 weeks, and seasonal variation with most cases occurring during winter, are all associated with common environmental stressors, such as neonatal circumcision and seasonal illnesses. We predict that neonatal circumcision is associated with hypersensitivity to pain and decreased heart rate variability, which increase the risk for SIDS. We also predict that neonatal male circumcision will account for the SIDS gender bias and that groups that practice high male circumcision rates, such as USA whites, will have higher SIDS rates compared to groups with lower circumcision rates. SIDS rates will also be higher in USA states where Medicaid covers circumcision and lower among people that do not practice neonatal circumcision and/or cannot afford to pay for circumcision. We last predict that winter-born premature infants who are circumcised will be at higher risk of SIDS compared to infants who experienced fewer nociceptive exposures. All these predictions are testable experimentally using animal models or cohort studies in humans. Our hypothesis provides new insights into novel risk factors for SIDS that can reduce its risk by modifying current infant care practices to reduce nociceptive exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eran Elhaik
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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