ANOS1: a unified nomenclature for Kallmann syndrome 1 gene (KAL1) and anosmin-1

ANOS1 accelerates the progression of esophageal cancer identified by multi-omic approaches

To assess the role of ANOS1 in esophageal cancer (ESCA) progression, multi-omic analysis and experimental validation were employed. It was revealed that ANOS1 expression is significantly enhanced in ESCA patients and cell lines. The expression level of ANOS1 in ESCA patients can distinguish the malignancy from normal tissue with an area under curve (AUC) >0.75. Moreover, increased expression of ANOS1 is associated with advanced T stage and worse disease-free survival of ESCA patients. Therefore, a clinically applicable nomogram with ANOS1 was established with strong predictive power. Furthermore, high expression of ANOS1 in ESCA is correlated with (i) the enrichment of epithelial-mesenchymal transition by gene set enrichment analysis, (ii) the involvement in hypoxia, angiogenesis, WNT signaling pathway, and TGFβ signaling pathway by gene set variation analysis, (iii) the presence of the small insertion and deletion mutational signature ID9, associated with chromothripsis, in the single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis, (iv) the amplification of 11q13.3 in the copy number variants analysis, (v) the enrichment of cancer-associated fibroblasts and mesenchymal stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment. All the results from multi-omic analysis indicate that ANOS1 plays a pivotal role in accelerating the progression of ESCA. Results from in vivo and in vitro experiments show that the knockdown of ANOS1 hampers the proliferation of ESCA cells, further validating the oncogenic role of ANOS1 in ESCA. Additionally, potential chemotherapeutics with sensitivity were identified in the high-ANOS1 group. In conclusion, ANOS1 accelerates the progression of ESCA.

The genetic etiologies of bilateral renal agenesis

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to review and analyze the medical literature for cases of prenatal and/or postnatally diagnosed bilateral renal agenesis (BRA) and create a comprehensive summary of the genetic etiologies known to be associated with this condition.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted as a scoping review employing Online Mendeliain Inheritance in Man, PubMed, and Cochrane to identify cases of BRA with known underlying genetic (chromosomal vs. single gene) etiologies and those described in syndromes without any known genetic etiology. The cases were further categorized as isolated versus non-isolated, describing additional findings reported prenatally, postnatally, and postmortem. Inheritance pattern was also documented when appropriate in addition to the reported timing of diagnosis and sex.

RESULTS

We identified six cytogenetic abnormalities and 21 genes responsible for 20 single gene disorders associated with BRA. Five genes have been reported to associate with BRA without other renal anomalies; sixteen others associate with both BRA as well as unilateral renal agenesis. Six clinically recognized syndromes/associations were identified with an unknown underlying genetic etiology. Genetic etiologies of BRA are often phenotypically expressed as other urogenital anomalies as well as complex multi-system syndromes.

CONCLUSION

Multiple genetic etiologies of BRA have been described, including cytogenetic abnormalities and monogenic syndromes. The current era of the utilization of exome and genome-wide sequencing is likely to significantly expand our understanding of the underlying genetic architecture of BRA.

Extracellular matrix protein anosmin-1 overexpression alters dopaminergic phenotype in the CNS and the PNS with no pathogenic consequences in a MPTP model of Parkinson's disease

The development and survival of dopaminergic neurons are influenced by the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) pathway. Anosmin-1 (A1) is an extracellular matrix protein that acts as a major regulator of this signaling pathway, controlling FGF diffusion, and receptor interaction and shuttling. In particular, previous work showed that A1 overexpression results in more dopaminergic neurons in the olfactory bulb. Prompted by those intriguing results, in this study, we investigated the effects of A1 overexpression on different populations of catecholaminergic neurons in the central (CNS) and the peripheral nervous systems (PNS). We found that A1 overexpression increases the number of dopaminergic substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) neurons and alters the striosome/matrix organization of the striatum. Interestingly, these numerical and morphological changes in the nigrostriatal pathway of A1-mice did not confer an altered susceptibility to experimental MPTP-parkinsonism with respect to wild-type controls. Moreover, the study of the effects of A1 overexpression was extended to different dopaminergic tissues associated with the PNS, detecting a significant reduction in the number of dopaminergic chemosensitive carotid body glomus cells in A1-mice. Overall, our work shows that A1 regulates the development and survival of dopaminergic neurons in different nuclei of the mammalian nervous system.

Genetic architecture of self-limited delayed puberty and congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

Distinguishing between self limited delayed puberty (SLDP) and congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) may be tricky as they share clinical and biochemical characteristics. and appear to lie within the same clinical spectrum. However, one is classically transient (SDLP) while the second is typically a lifetime condition (CHH). The natural history and long-term outcomes of these two conditions differ significantly and thus command distinctive approaches and management. Because the first presentation of SDLP and CHH is very similar (delayed puberty with low LH and FSH and low sex hormones), the scientific community is scrambling to identify diagnostic tests that can allow a correct differential diagnosis among these two conditions, without having to rely on the presence or absence of phenotypic red flags for CHH that clinicians anyway seem to find hard to process. Despite the heterogeneity of genetic defects so far reported in DP, genetic analysis through next-generation sequencing technology (NGS) had the potential to contribute to the differential diagnostic process between SLDP and CHH. In this review we will provide an up-to-date overview of the genetic architecture of these two conditions and debate the benefits and the bias of performing genetic analysis seeking to effectively differentiate between these two conditions.

ANOS1 variants in a large cohort of Chinese patients with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

OBJECTIVES

Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) is a rare congenital gonadal dysplasia caused by defects in the synthesis, secretion or signal transduction of hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone. The main manifestations of CHH are delayed or lack puberty, low levels of sex hormones and gonadotropins, and may be accompanied with other clinical phenotypes. Some patients with CHH are also accompanied with anosmia or hyposmia, which is called Kalman syndrome (KS). ANOS1, located on X chromosome, is the first gene associated with CHH in an X-linked recessive manner. This study aims to provide a basis for the genetic diagnosis of CHH by analyzing the gene variant spectrum of ANOS1 in CHH and the relationship between clinical phenotype and genotype.

METHODS

In this study, whole exome sequencing (WES) was used to screen rare sequencing variants (RSVs) of ANOS1 in a Chinese cohort of 165 male CHH patients. Four commonly used in silico tools were used to predict the function of the identified RSVs in coding region, including Polyphen2, Mutation Taster, SIFT, and Combined Annotation Dependent Depletion (CADD). Splice Site Prediction by Neural Network (NNSPLICE) was employed to predict possibilities of intronic RSVs to disrupt splicing. American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines was used to assess the pathogenicity of the detected RSVs. The ANOS1 genetic variant spectrum of CHH patients in Chinese population was established. The relationship between clinical phenotype and genotype was analyzed by collecting detailed clinical data.

RESULTS

Through WES analysis for 165 CHH patients, ANOS1 RSVs were detected in 17 of them, with the frequency of 10.3%. A total of 13 RSVs were detected in the 17 probands, including 5 nonsense variants (p.T76X, p.R191X, p.W257X, p.R262X, and p.W589X), 2 splicing site variants (c.318+3A>C, c.1063-1G>C), and 6 missense variants (p.N402S, p.N155D, p.P504L, p.C157R, p.Q635P, and p.V560I). In these 17 CHH probands with ANOS1 RSVs, many were accompanied with other clinical phenotypes. The most common associated phenotype was cryptorchidism (10/17), followed by unilateral renal agenesis (3/17), dental agenesis (3/17), and synkinesia (3/17). Eight RSVs, including p.T76X, p.R191X, p.W257X, p.R262X, p.W589X, c.318+3A>C, c.1063-1G>C, and p.C157R, were predicted to be pathogenic or likely pathogenic ANOS1 RSVs by ACMG. Eight CHH patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic ANOS1 variants had additional features. In contrast, only one out of nine CHH patients with non-pathogenic (likely benign or uncertain of significance) ANOS1 variants according to ACMG exhibited additional features. And function of the non-pathogenic ANOS1 variants accompanied with other CHH-associated RSVs.

CONCLUSIONS

The ANOS1 genetic spectrum of CHH patients in Chinese population is established. Some of the correlations between clinical phenotype and genotype are also established. Our study indicates that CHH patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic ANOS1 RSVs tend to exhibit additional phenotypes. Although non-pathogenic ANOS1 variants only may not be sufficient to cause CHH, they may function together with other CHH-associated RSVs to cause the disease.

New developments in the biology of fibroblast growth factors

The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family is composed of 18 secreted signaling proteins consisting of canonical FGFs and endocrine FGFs that activate four receptor tyrosine kinases (FGFRs 1-4) and four intracellular proteins (intracellular FGFs or iFGFs) that primarily function to regulate the activity of voltage-gated sodium channels and other molecules. The canonical FGFs, endocrine FGFs, and iFGFs have been reviewed extensively by us and others. In this review, we briefly summarize past reviews and then focus on new developments in the FGF field since our last review in 2015. Some of the highlights in the past 6 years include the use of optogenetic tools, viral vectors, and inducible transgenes to experimentally modulate FGF signaling, the clinical use of small molecule FGFR inhibitors, an expanded understanding of endocrine FGF signaling, functions for FGF signaling in stem cell pluripotency and differentiation, roles for FGF signaling in tissue homeostasis and regeneration, a continuing elaboration of mechanisms of FGF signaling in development, and an expanding appreciation of roles for FGF signaling in neuropsychiatric diseases. This article is categorized under: Cardiovascular Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Neurological Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Congenital Diseases > Stem Cells and Development Cancer > Stem Cells and Development.

Anosmin-1-Like Effect of UMODL1/Olfactorin on the Chemomigration of Mouse GnRH Neurons and Zebrafish Olfactory Axons Development

The impairment of development/migration of hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons is the main cause of Kallmann's syndrome (KS), an inherited disorder characterized by hypogonadism, anosmia, and other developmental defects. Olfactorin is an extracellular matrix protein encoded by the UMODL1 (uromodulin-like 1) gene expressed in the mouse olfactory region along the migratory route of GnRH neurons. It shares a combination of WAP and FNIII repeats, expressed in complementary domains, with anosmin-1, the product of the ANOS1 gene, identified as the causative of KS. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of olfactorin in vitro and in vivo models. The results show that olfactorin exerts an anosmin-1-like strong chemoattractant effect on mouse-immortalized GnRH neurons (GN11 cells) through the activation of the FGFR and MAPK pathways. In silico analysis of olfactorin and anosmin-1 reveals a satisfactory similarity at the N-terminal region for the overall arrangement of corresponding WAP and FNIII domains and marked similarities between WAP domains’ binding modes of interaction with the resolved FGFR1–FGF2 complex. Finally, in vivo experiments show that the down-modulation of the zebrafish z-umodl1 gene (orthologous of UMODL1) in both GnRH3:GFP and omp2k:gap-CFPrw034 transgenic zebrafish strains leads to a clear disorganization and altered fasciculation of the neurites of GnRH3:GFP neurons crossing at the anterior commissure and a significant increase in olfactory CFP + fibers with altered trajectory. Thus, our study shows olfactorin as an additional factor involved in the development of olfactory and GnRH systems and proposes UMODL1 as a gene worthy of diagnostic investigation in KS.

Current concepts surrounding neonatal hormone therapy for boys with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

INTRODUCTION

Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) is a genetic disorder of reproduction and development, characterized by deficient gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion or action, affecting 1-in-4,000-15,000 males. Micropenis and undescended testes are cardinal features of antenatal GnRH deficiency and could indicate absent minipuberty in the first postnatal months. In this review, we outline the pathophysiology and clinical consequences of absent minipuberty and its implications for optimal approaches to the endocrine management of affected boys.

AREAS COVERED

Deficient GnRH activity during fetal development and neonatal-infancy phase of minipuberty accounts for the diminished mass of Sertoli cells and seminiferous tubules among CHH males, enduring impairment of reproductive function even during gonadotropin replacement in adult life. In overcoming this obstacle, several clinical studies of neonatal gonadotropin replacement have consistently shown positive results in inducing testicular development and correcting cryptorchidism.

EXPERT OPINION

A high index of clinical suspicion, combined with hormonal testing undertaken in the postnatal period of 1-4 months, can reliably confirm or refute the diagnosis of CHH. Timely identification of CHH in affected male infants (having characteristic "red flag' developmental anomalies) opens up the possibility for gonadotropin replacement as a targeted therapy to restore the normal hormonal milieu of minipuberty. Further work is necessary in formulating optimal gonadotropin treatment regimens to be more widely adopted in clinical practice.

The Prognostic Value of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins and Their Receptors in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Background

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) regulate tumor progression via binding to their receptors (BMPRs). However, the expression and clinical significance of BMPs/BMPRs in lung adenocarcinoma remain unclear due to a lack of systematic studies.

Methods

This study screened differentially expressed BMPs/BMPRs (deBMPs/BMPRs) in a training dataset combining TCGA-LUAD and GTEx-LUNG and verified them in four GEO datasets. Their prognostic value was evaluated via univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. LASSO was performed to construct an initial risk model. Subsequently, after weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), differential expression analysis, and univariate Cox regression analysis, hub genes co-expressed with differentially expressed BMPs/BMPRs were filtered out to improve the risk model and explore potential mechanisms. The improved risk model was re-established via LASSO combining hub genes with differentially expressed BMPs/BMPRs as the core. In the testing cohort including 93 lung adenocarcinoma patients, immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to verify BMP5 protein expression and its association with prognosis.

Results

BMP2, BMP5, BMP6, GDF10, and ACVRL1 were verified as downregulated in lung adenocarcinoma. Survival analysis identified BMP5 as an independent protective prognostic factor. We also found that BMP5 was significantly correlated with EGFR expression and mutations, suggesting that BMP5 may play a role in targeted therapy. The initial risk model containing only BMP5 showed a significant correlation (HR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.28−2.28, p: 3e-04) but low prognostic accuracy (AUC of 1-year survival: 0.6, 3-year survival: 0.6, 5-year survival: 0.63). Seventy-nine hub genes co-expressed with BMP5 were identified, and their functions were enriched in cell migration and tumor metastasis. The re-established risk model showed greater prognostic correlation (HR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.92–3.46, p: 0) and value (AUC of 1-year survival: 0.72, 3-year survival: 0.69, and 5-year survival: 0.68). IHC results revealed that BMP5 protein was also downregulated in lung adenocarcinoma and higher expression was markedly associated with better prognosis (HR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.23–0.85, p: 0.0145).

Conclusion

BMP5 is a potential crucial target for lung adenocarcinoma treatment based on significant differential expression and superior prognostic value.

[Molecular genetics and phenotypic features of congenital isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism]

Congenital isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism includes a group of diseases related to the defects of secretion and action of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GNRH) and gonadotropins. In a half of cases congenital hypogonadism is associated with an impaired sense of smell. It's named Kallmann syndrome. Now 40 genes are known to be associated with function of hypothalamus pituitary gland and gonads. Phenotypic features of hypogonadism and therapy effectiveness are related to different molecular defects. However clinical signs may vary even within the same family with the same molecular genetic defect. Genotype phenotype correlation in patients with congenital malformations prioritizes the search for mutations in candidate genes. There are data of significant contribution of oligogenicity into the phenotype of the disease are presented in the review. Moreover, an issue of current isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism definition and classification revision is raised in the review due to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism development while there are mutations in genes not associated with GNRH neurons secretion and function.

A review of the pathophysiology of functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea in women subject to psychological stress, disordered eating, excessive exercise or a combination of these factors

INTRODUCTION

Functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea (FHA) is a common form of secondary amenorrhoea without an identifiable structural cause. Suppression of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulsatility results in reduced luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, with subsequent reduction in oestradiol, anovulation and cessation of menstruation. GnRH pulsatility suppression is a recognized complication of psychological stress, disordered eating, low body weight, excessive exercise or a combination of these factors.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF FHA

Individuals with FHA demonstrate low energy availability (EA), body fat percentage and energy expenditure. Documented adipocytokine changes notably, raised adiponectin, ghrelin, PYY, and decreased leptin, are associated with GnRH suppression. Other endocrine responses seen in this low EA state include low insulin levels, low total T3, increased basal cortisol levels and a reduced response to corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) administration. FHA is associated with raised growth hormone (GH) and low insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), suggesting relative GH resistance. Kisspeptins are a group of polypeptides, recently discovered to play a major role in the regulation of the reproductive axis through influencing GnRH release. KNDy (kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin) act on GnRH neurons and a multitude of factors result in their release.

IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE TREATMENT

Management of FHA is imperative to prevent adverse outcomes in bone density, cardiovascular risk profile, psychological well-being and fertility. Outwith modification of nutritional intake and exercise, limited therapeutic strategies are currently available for women with FHA. Advancements in the understanding of the pathophysiological basis of this under-recognized and under-treated clinical entity will aid management and may result in the development of novel therapeutic approaches.

Recent advances in understanding and managing Kallmann syndrome

Many of the recent advances in our understanding of human reproductive biology and its genetic basis have arisen directly via the genetic investigation of patients with Kallmann syndrome and their families. The disease is characterised by the association of an isolated defect in the secretion (or, less commonly, action) of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and consequent infertility, with anosmia and potentially other associated non-reproductive features. GnRH-producing neurons are located in the hypothalamic brain region after a peculiar migration during embryonic life. To date, different genes affecting GnRH neuron development/migration have so far been implicated in Kallmann syndrome, but our knowledge of the genetic basis of the syndrome remains incomplete. From a clinical point of view, the disease has suffered from a lack of definitive diagnosis and treatment, and although progress has been made in terms of timely diagnosis and evidence-based treatment of patients, implementation remains inconsistent. These aspects will be discussed in this review, which examines new strategies for arriving at more evidence-based and patient-centred medical practice in Kallmann syndrome.

Fabrication of Adipose-Derived Stem Cell-Based Self-Assembled Scaffold under Hypoxia and Mechanical Stimulation for Urethral Tissue Engineering

Long urethral strictures are often treated with autologous genital skin and buccal mucosa grafts; however, risk of hair ingrowth and donor site morbidity, restrict their application. To overcome this, we introduced a tissue-engineered human urethra comprising adipose-derived stem cell (ASC)-based self-assembled scaffold, human urothelial cells (UCs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). ASCs were cultured with ascorbic acid to stimulate extracellular matrix (ECM) production. The scaffold (ECM) was stained with collagen type-I antibody and the thickness was measured under a confocal microscope. Results showed that the thickest scaffold (28.06 ± 0.59 μm) was achieved with 3 × 10⁴ cells/cm² seeding density, 100 μg/mL ascorbic acid concentration under hypoxic and dynamic culture condition. The biocompatibility assessment showed that UCs and SMCs seeded on the scaffold could proliferate and maintain the expression of their markers (CK7, CK20, UPIa, and UPII) and (α-SMA, MHC and Smootheline), respectively, after 14 days of in vitro culture. ECM gene expression analysis showed that the ASC and dermal fibroblast-based scaffolds (control) were comparable. The ASC-based scaffold can be handled and removed from the plate. This suggests that multiple layers of scaffold can be stacked to form the urothelium (seeded with UCs), submucosal layer (ASCs only), and smooth muscle layer (seeded with SMCs) and has the potential to be developed into a fully functional human urethra for urethral reconstructive surgeries.

Genetics of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

Male congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) is a heterogenous group of genetic disorders that cause impairment in the production or action of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). These defects result in dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hormone axis, leading to low testosterone levels and impaired fertility. Genetic testing techniques have expanded our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms contributing to CHH including over 30 genes to date implicated in the development of CHH. In some cases, non-reproductive signs or symptoms can give clues as to the putative genetic etiology, but many cases remain undiagnosed with less than 50% identified with a specific gene defect. This leads to many patients labelled as “idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism”. Medical and family history as well as physical exam and laboratory features can aid in the identification of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) that is associated with specific medical syndromes or associated with other pituitary hormonal deficiencies. Genetic testing strategies are moving away from the classic practice of testing for only a few of the most commonly affected genes and instead utilizing next generation sequencing techniques that allow testing of numerous potential gene targets simultaneously. Treatment of CHH is dependent on the individual’s desire to preserve fertility and commonly include human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) to stimulate testosterone production and spermatogenesis. In situations where fertility is not desired, testosterone replacement therapies are widely offered in order to maintain virilization and sexual function.

Marmoset Brain ISH Data Revealed Molecular Difference Between Cortical Folding Patterns

Literature studies have demonstrated the structural, connectional, and functional differences between cortical folding patterns in mammalian brains, such as convex and concave patterns. However, the molecular underpinning of such convex/concave differences remains largely unknown. Thanks to public access to a recently released set of marmoset whole-brain in situ hybridization data by RIKEN, Japan; this data's accessibility empowers us to improve our understanding of the organization, regulation, and function of genes and their relation to macroscale metrics of brains. In this work, magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging macroscale neuroimaging data in this dataset were used to delineate convex/concave patterns in marmoset and to examine their structural features. Machine learning and visualization tools were employed to investigate the possible transcriptome difference between cortical convex and concave patterns. Experimental results demonstrated that a collection of genes is differentially expressed in convex and concave patterns, and their expression profiles can robustly characterize and differentiate the two folding patterns. More importantly, neuroscientific interpretations of these differentially expressed genes, as well as axonal guidance pathway analysis and gene enrichment analysis, offer novel understanding of structural and functional differences between cortical folding patterns in different regions from a molecular perspective.

Novel Microdeletion in the X Chromosome Leads to Kallmann Syndrome, Ichthyosis, Obesity, and Strabismus

Background

A large deletion in Xp22.3 can result in contiguous gene syndromes, including X-linked ichthyosis (XLI) and Kallmann syndrome (KS), presenting with short stature, chondrodysplasia punctata, intellectual disability, and strabismus. XLI and KS are caused by the deletion of STS and ANOS1, respectively.

Method

Two KS patients with XLI were screened to identify possible pathogenic mutations using whole exome sequencing. The clinical characteristics, molecular genetics, treatment outcomes, and genotype–phenotype association for each patient were analyzed.

Results

We identified a novel 3,923 kb deletion within the Xp22.31 region (chrX: 5810838–9733877) containing STS, ANOS1, GPR143, NLGN4X, VCX-A, PUDP, and PNPLA4 in patient 1, who presented with KS, XLI, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and strabismus. We identified a novel 5,807 kb deletion within the Xp22.31-p22.33 regions (chrX: 2700083–8507807) containing STS, ANOS1, and other 24 genes in patient 2, who presented with KS, XLI, obesity, and strabismus. No developmental delay, abnormal speech development, or autistic behavior were noticed in either patient.

Conclusion

We identified two novel microdeletions in the X chromosome leading to KS and XLI. These findings contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive contiguous gene syndromes. Our research confirmed that the Kallmann-Ichthyosis phenotype is caused by microdeletions at the chromosome level.

Functional Heterogeneity of Mouse and Human Brain OPCs: Relevance for Preclinical Studies in Multiple Sclerosis

Besides giving rise to oligodendrocytes (the only myelin-forming cell in the Central Nervous System (CNS) in physiological conditions), Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells (OPCs) are responsible for spontaneous remyelination after a demyelinating lesion. They are present along the mouse and human CNS, both during development and in adulthood, yet how OPC physiological behavior is modified throughout life is not fully understood. The activity of adult human OPCs is still particularly unexplored. Significantly, most of the molecules involved in OPC-mediated remyelination are also involved in their development, a phenomenon that may be clinically relevant. In the present article, we have compared the intrinsic properties of OPCs isolated from the cerebral cortex of neonatal, postnatal and adult mice, as well as those recovered from neurosurgical adult human cerebral cortex tissue. By analyzing intact OPCs for the first time with 1H High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H HR-MAS NMR) spectroscopy, we show that these cells behave distinctly and that they have different metabolic patterns in function for their stage of maturity. Moreover, their response to Fibroblast Growth Gactor-2 (FGF-2) and anosmin-1 (two molecules that have known effects on OPC biology during development and that are overexpressed in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)) differs in relation to their developmental stage and in the function of the species. Our data reveal that the behavior of adult human and mouse OPCs differs in a very dynamic way that should be very relevant when testing drugs and for the proper design of effective pharmacological and/or cell therapies for MS.

Serum levels of ANOS1 serve as a diagnostic biomarker of gastric cancer: a prospective multicenter observational study

BACKGROUND

Development of high-performance serum biomarkers will likely improve treatment outcomes of patients with gastric cancer (GC). We previously identified the candidate serum markers, anosmin 1 (ANOS1), dihydropyrimidinase-like 3 (DPYSL3), and melanoma-associated antigen D2 (MAGE-D2) and evaluated their clinical significance through a single-center retrospective analysis. Here we conducted a prospective multicenter observational study aimed at validating the diagnostic performance of these potential markers.

METHODS

We analyzed serum levels before and after surgery of the three potential biomarkers in patients with GC and healthy volunteers. Quantification of serum and GC tissue levels was performed using an ELISA.

RESULTS

Area under the curve (AUC) values that discriminated patients with GC from healthy controls were - 0.7058, 0.6188, and 0.5031 for ANOS1, DPYSL3, and MAGED2, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the ANOS1 assay were 0.36 and 0.85, respectively. The AUC value of ANOS1 that discriminated patients with stage I GC from healthy controls was 0.7131. Serum ANOS1 levels were significantly elevated in patients with stage I GC compared with those of healthy controls (median 1179 ng/ml and 461 ng/ml, respectively, P < 0.0001) and decreased after resection of primary GC lesions (P < 0.0001). The combination of serum ANOS1 and DPYSL3 levels increased the AUC value that discriminated patients with GC from healthy controls. Serum levels of ANOS1 did not significantly correlate with those of carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, or other markers of inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum levels of ANOS1 may serve as a useful diagnostic tool for managing GC.

Genetic Evaluation of Patients With Delayed Puberty and Congenital Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism: Is it Worthy of Consideration?

Delayed puberty is a common reason of pediatric endocrinological consultation. It is often a self-limited (or constitutional) condition with a strong familial basis. The type of inheritance is variable but most commonly autosomal dominant. Despite this strong genetic determinant, mutations in genes implicated in the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis have rarely been identified in cases of self-limited delayed puberty and often in relatives of patients with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (i.e., FGFR1 and GNRHR genes). However, recently, next-generation sequencing analysis has led to the discovery of new genes (i.e., IGSF10, HS6ST1, FTO, and EAP1) that are implicated in determining isolated self-limited delayed puberty in some families. Despite the heterogeneity of genetic defects resulting in delayed puberty, genetic testing may become a useful diagnostic tool for the correct classification and management of patients with delayed puberty. This article will discuss the benefits and the limitations of genetic testing execution in cases of delayed puberty.

Nasal Placode Development, GnRH Neuronal Migration and Kallmann Syndrome

The development of Gonadotropin releasing hormone-1 (GnRH) neurons is important for a functional reproduction system in vertebrates. Disruption of GnRH results in hypogonadism and if accompanied by anosmia is termed Kallmann Syndrome (KS). From their origin in the nasal placode, GnRH neurons migrate along the olfactory-derived vomeronasal axons to the nasal forebrain junction and then turn caudally into the developing forebrain. Although research on the origin of GnRH neurons, their migration and genes associated with KS has identified multiple factors that influence development of this system, several aspects still remain unclear. This review discusses development of the olfactory system, factors that regulate GnRH neuron formation and development of the olfactory system, migration of the GnRH neurons from the nose into the brain, and mutations in humans with KS that result from disruption of normal GnRH/olfactory systems development.

Cajal and the Spanish Neurological School: Neuroscience Would Have Been a Different Story Without Them

Santiago Ramón y Cajal was still young when he came across the reazione nera, discovered by the Italian Camillo Golgi. Cajal became absolutely entranced by the fine structure of the nervous system this technique revealed, which led him to embark on one of the last truly epic endeavors in Modern History: the characterization of nervous cells, and of their organization to form the brain. Cajal remained in Spain throughout his scientific career, working for years alone. With international recognition, Cajal began recruiting brilliant students as collaborators. A handful of his pupils also made decisive discoveries that served to lay the foundations of modern Neuroscience. Cajal's brother Pedro, Tello, Domingo Sánchez, Achúcarro, Lafora, Río-Hortega, de Castro and Lorente de Nó worked side by side with El Maestro. While Cajal himself pronounced some of the basic rules that have helped us to understand the nervous system (the neuron theory, the law of dynamic polarization of the neuron), as well as providing innumerable details about the histological organization of the different neural structures, it was Pío del Río-Hortega who identified two of the four main cell types in the CNS (oligodendrocytes and microglia), and Fernando de Castro who described the innervation of the blood vessels and identified the first chemoreceptors in the carotid body. Together, this group of scientists is known as the Spanish Neurological School, and if they had not existed, the History of Neuroscience would surely have been quite a different story; and proof that Cajal was a truly exceptional scientist but he was not an exception for Spanish Science.

Sex chromosomes-linked single-gene disorders involved in human infertility

Human infertility is a healthcare problem that has a worldwide impact. Genetic causes of human infertility include chromosomal aneuploidies and rearrangements and single-gene defects. The sex chromosomes (X and Y) are critical players in human fertility since they contain several genes essential for sex determination and reproductive traits for both men and women. This paper provides a review of the most common sex chromosomes-linked single-gene disorders involved in human infertility and their corresponding phenotypes. In addition to the Y-linked SRY gene, which mutations may cause XY gonadal dysgenesis and sex reversal, the deletions of genes present in AZF regions of the Y chromosome (DAZ, RBMY, DBY and USP9Y genes) are implicated in varying degrees of spermatogenic dysfunction. Furthermore, a list of X-linked genes (KAL1, NR0B1, AR, TEX11, FMR1, PGRMC1, BMP15 and POF1 and 2 regions genes (XPNPEP2, POF1B, DACH2, CHM and DIAPH2)) were reported to have critical roles in pubertal and reproductive deficiencies in humans, affecting only men, only women or both sexes. Mutations in these genes may be transmitted to the offspring by a dominant or a recessive inheritance.

GENETICS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Genetic counseling for congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and Kallmann syndrome: new challenges in the era of oligogenism and next-generation sequencing

Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) and Kallmann syndrome (KS) are rare, related diseases that prevent normal pubertal development and cause infertility in affected men and women. However, the infertility carries a good prognosis as increasing numbers of patients with CHH/KS are now able to have children through medically assisted procreation. These are genetic diseases that can be transmitted to patients' offspring. Importantly, patients and their families should be informed of this risk and given genetic counseling. CHH and KS are phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous diseases in which the risk of transmission largely depends on the gene(s) responsible(s). Inheritance may be classically Mendelian yet more complex; oligogenic modes of transmission have also been described. The prevalence of oligogenicity has risen dramatically since the advent of massively parallel next-generation sequencing (NGS) in which tens, hundreds or thousands of genes are sequenced at the same time. NGS is medically and economically more efficient and more rapid than traditional Sanger sequencing and is increasingly being used in medical practice. Thus, it seems plausible that oligogenic forms of CHH/KS will be increasingly identified making genetic counseling even more complex. In this context, the main challenge will be to differentiate true oligogenism from situations when several rare variants that do not have a clear phenotypic effect are identified by chance. This review aims to summarize the genetics of CHH/KS and to discuss the challenges of oligogenic transmission and also its role in incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity in a perspective of genetic counseling.

Sex differences in the late first trimester human placenta transcriptome

Background

Development of the placenta during the late first trimester is critical to ensure normal growth and development of the fetus. Developmental differences in this window such as sex-specific variation are implicated in later placental disease states, yet gene expression at this time is poorly understood.

Methods

RNA-sequencing was performed to characterize the transcriptome of 39 first trimester human placentas using chorionic villi following genetic testing (17 females, 22 males). Gene enrichment analysis was performed to find enriched canonical pathways and gene ontologies in the first trimester. DESeq2 was used to find sexually dimorphic gene expression. Patient demographics were analyzed for sex differences in fetal weight at time of chorionic villus sampling and birth.

Results

RNA-sequencing analyses detected 14,250 expressed genes, with chromosome 19 contributing the greatest proportion (973/2852, 34.1% of chromosome 19 genes) and Y chromosome contributing the least (16/568, 2.8%). Several placenta-enriched genes as well as histone-coding genes were identified to be unique to the first trimester and common to both sexes. Further, we identified 58 genes with significantly different expression between males and females: 25 X-linked, 15 Y-linked, and 18 autosomal genes. Genes that escape X inactivation were highly represented (59.1%) among X-linked genes upregulated in females. Many genes differentially expressed by sex consisted of X/Y gene pairs, suggesting that dosage compensation plays a role in sex differences. These X/Y pairs had roles in parallel, ancient canonical pathways important for eukaryotic cell growth and survival: chromatin modification, transcription, splicing, and translation.

Conclusions

This study is the first characterization of the late first trimester placenta transcriptome, highlighting similarities and differences among the sexes in ongoing human pregnancies resulting in live births. Sexual dimorphism may contribute to pregnancy outcomes, including fetal growth and birth weight, which was seen in our cohort, with males significantly heavier than females at birth. This transcriptome provides a basis for development of early diagnostic tests of placental function that can indicate overall pregnancy heath, fetal-maternal health, and long-term adult health.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13293-018-0165-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Anosmin-1 is essential for neural crest and cranial placodes formation in Xenopus

During embryogenesis vertebrates develop a complex craniofacial skeleton associated with sensory organs. These structures are primarily derived from two embryonic cell populations the neural crest and cranial placodes, respectively. Neural crest cells and cranial placodes are specified through the integrated action of several families of signaling molecules, and the subsequent activation of a complex network of transcription factors. Here we describe the expression and function of Anosmin-1 (Anos1), an extracellular matrix protein, during neural crest and cranial placodes development in Xenopus laevis. Anos1 was identified as a target of Pax3 and Zic1, two transcription factors necessary and sufficient to generate neural crest and cranial placodes. Anos1 is expressed in cranial neural crest progenitors at early neurula stage and in cranial placode derivatives later in development. We show that Anos1 function is required for neural crest and sensory organs development in Xenopus, consistent with the defects observed in Kallmann syndrome patients carrying a mutation in ANOS1. These findings indicate that anos1 has a conserved function in the development of craniofacial structures, and indicate that anos1-depleted Xenopus embryos represent a useful model to analyze the pathogenesis of Kallmann syndrome.

Feedback regulation of RTK signaling in development

Precise regulation of the amplitude and duration of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling is critical for the execution of cellular programs and behaviors. Understanding these control mechanisms has important implications for the field of developmental biology, and in recent years, the question of how augmentation or attenuation of RTK signaling via feedback loops modulates development has become of increasing interest. RTK feedback regulation is also important for human disease research; for example, germline mutations in genes that encode RTK signaling pathway components cause numerous human congenital syndromes, and somatic alterations contribute to the pathogenesis of diseases such as cancers. In this review, we survey regulators of RTK signaling that tune receptor activity and intracellular transduction cascades, with a focus on the roles of these genes in the developing embryo. We detail the diverse inhibitory mechanisms utilized by negative feedback regulators that, when lost or perturbed, lead to aberrant increases in RTK signaling. We also discuss recent biochemical and genetic insights into positive regulators of RTK signaling and how these proteins function in tandem with negative regulators to guide embryonic development.