1
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Her Y, Pascual DM, Goldstone-Joubert Z, Marcogliese PC. Variant functional assessment in Drosophila by overexpression: what can we learn? Genome 2024; 67:158-167. [PMID: 38412472 DOI: 10.1139/gen-2023-0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
The last decade has been highlighted by the increased use of next-generation DNA sequencing technology to identify novel human disease genes. A critical downstream part of this process is assigning function to a candidate gene variant. Functional studies in Drosophila melanogaster, the common fruit fly, have made a prominent contribution in annotating variant impact in an in vivo system. The use of patient-derived knock-in flies or rescue-based, "humanization", approaches are novel and valuable strategies in variant testing but have been recently widely reviewed. An often-overlooked strategy for determining variant impact has been GAL4/upstream activation sequence-mediated tissue-defined overexpression in Drosophila. This mini-review will summarize the recent contribution of ectopic overexpression of human reference and variant cDNA in Drosophila to assess variant function, interpret the consequence of the variant, and in some cases infer biological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yina Her
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Danielle M Pascual
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Zoe Goldstone-Joubert
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Paul C Marcogliese
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Excellence in Neurodevelopment and Rehabilitation Research in Child Health (ENRRICH) Theme, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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2
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Yamada S, Ou T, Nachadalingam S, Yang S, Johnson AN. An in vivo platform to identify pathogenic loci. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.11.01.565153. [PMID: 37961172 PMCID: PMC10635058 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.01.565153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Rare genetic disease discovery efforts typically lead to the identification of new disease genes. PreMIER ( Pre cision M edicine Integrated E xperimental R esources) is a collaborative platform designed to facilitate functional evaluation of human genetic variants in model systems, and to date the PreMIER Consortium has evaluated over 50 variants in patients with genetic disorders. To understand if Drosophila could be used to identify pathogenic disease loci as part of the PreMIER Consortium, we used tissue-specific gene knockdown in the fly as a proof of principle experiment. Tissue-specific knockdown of seven conserved disease genes caused significant changes in viability, longevity, behavior, motor function, and neuronal survival arguing a set of defined assays can be used to determine if a gene of uncertain significance (GUS) regulates specific physiological processes. This study highlights the utility of a tissue-specific knockdown platform in Drosophila to characterize GUS, which may provide the first genephenotype correlations for patients with idiopathic genetic disorders.
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3
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Howley E, Soomann M, Kreins AY. Parental Engagement in Identifying Information Needs After Newborn Screening for Families of Infants with Suspected Athymia. J Clin Immunol 2024; 44:79. [PMID: 38457046 PMCID: PMC10923976 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-024-01678-w] [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: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Congenital athymia is a rare T-lymphocytopaenic condition, which requires early corrective treatment with thymus transplantation (TT). Athymic patients are increasingly identified through newborn screening (NBS) for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Lack of relatable information resources contributes to challenging patient and family journeys during the diagnostic period following abnormal NBS results. Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) activities, including parental involvement in paediatrics, are valuable initiatives to improve clinical communication and parental information strategies. Parents of infants with suspected athymia were therefore invited to discuss the information they received during the diagnostic period following NBS with the aim to identify parental information needs and targeted strategies to address these adequately. Parents reported that athymia was not considered with them as a possible differential diagnosis until weeks after initial NBS results. Whilst appropriate clinical information about athymia and TT was available upon referral to specialist immunology services, improved access to easy-to-understand information from reliable sources, including from clinical nurse specialists and peer support systems, remained desirable. A roadmap concept, with written or digital information, addressing parental needs in real time during a potentially complex diagnostic journey, was proposed and is transferrable to other inborn errors of immunity (IEI) and rare diseases. This PPIE activity provides insight into the information needs of parents of infants with suspected athymia who are identified through SCID NBS, and highlights the role for PPIE in promoting patient- and family-centred strategies to improve IEI care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evey Howley
- Department of Immunology and Gene Therapy, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Maarja Soomann
- Department of Immunology and Gene Therapy, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Division of Immunology and the Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Y Kreins
- Department of Immunology and Gene Therapy, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
- Infection Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
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4
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Dinges SS, Amini K, Notarangelo LD, Delmonte OM. Primary and secondary defects of the thymus. Immunol Rev 2024; 322:178-211. [PMID: 38228406 PMCID: PMC10950553 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13306] [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] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
The thymus is the primary site of T-cell development, enabling generation, and selection of a diverse repertoire of T cells that recognize non-self, whilst remaining tolerant to self- antigens. Severe congenital disorders of thymic development (athymia) can be fatal if left untreated due to infections, and thymic tissue implantation is the only cure. While newborn screening for severe combined immune deficiency has allowed improved detection at birth of congenital athymia, thymic disorders acquired later in life are still underrecognized and assessing the quality of thymic function in such conditions remains a challenge. The thymus is sensitive to injury elicited from a variety of endogenous and exogenous factors, and its self-renewal capacity decreases with age. Secondary and age-related forms of thymic dysfunction may lead to an increased risk of infections, malignancy, and autoimmunity. Promising results have been obtained in preclinical models and clinical trials upon administration of soluble factors promoting thymic regeneration, but to date no therapy is approved for clinical use. In this review we provide a background on thymus development, function, and age-related involution. We discuss disease mechanisms, diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches for primary and secondary thymic defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S. Dinges
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kayla Amini
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Luigi D. Notarangelo
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ottavia M. Delmonte
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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5
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Bzdęga K, Biela M, Deutsch GH, Kitzmiller JA, Rydzanicz M, Płoski R, Whitsett JA, Śmigiel R, Karolak JA. A novel non-recurrent CNV deletion involving TBX4 and leaving TBX2 intact causes congenital alveolar dysplasia. Clin Genet 2024; 105:190-195. [PMID: 37821225 PMCID: PMC10842446 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14428] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Congenital alveolar dysplasia (CAD) belongs to rare lethal lung developmental disorders (LLDDs) in neonates, manifesting with acute respiratory failure and pulmonary arterial hypertension refractory to treatment. The majority of CAD cases have been associated with copy-number variant (CNV) deletions at 17q23.1q23.2 or 5p12. Most CNV deletions at 17q23.1q23.2 were recurrent and encompassed two closely located genes, TBX4 and TBX2. In a few CAD cases, intragenic frameshifting deletions or single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) involved TBX4 but not TBX2. Here, we describe a male neonate who died at 27 days of life from acute respiratory failure caused by lung growth arrest along the spectrum of CAD confirmed by histopathological assessment. Trio-based genome sequencing revealed in the proband a novel non-recurrent ~1.07 Mb heterozygous CNV deletion at 17q23.2, encompassing TBX4 that arose de novo on the paternal chromosome. This is the first report of a larger-sized CNV deletion in a CAD patient involving TBX4 and leaving TBX2 intact. Our results, together with previous reports, indicate that perturbations of TBX4, rather than TBX2, cause severe lung phenotypes in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Bzdęga
- Chair and Department of Genetics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Mateusz Biela
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolic Diseases, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Gail H Deutsch
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Joseph A Kitzmiller
- Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center, Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Rafał Płoski
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jeffrey A Whitsett
- The Perinatal Institute and Section of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Robert Śmigiel
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolic Diseases, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Justyna A Karolak
- Chair and Department of Genetics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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6
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Yamamoto S, Kanca O, Wangler MF, Bellen HJ. Integrating non-mammalian model organisms in the diagnosis of rare genetic diseases in humans. Nat Rev Genet 2024; 25:46-60. [PMID: 37491400 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-023-00633-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing technology has rapidly accelerated the discovery of genetic variants of interest in individuals with rare diseases. However, showing that these variants are causative of the disease in question is complex and may require functional studies. Use of non-mammalian model organisms - mainly fruitflies (Drosophila melanogaster), nematode worms (Caenorhabditis elegans) and zebrafish (Danio rerio) - enables the rapid and cost-effective assessment of the effects of gene variants, which can then be validated in mammalian model organisms such as mice and in human cells. By probing mechanisms of gene action and identifying interacting genes and proteins in vivo, recent studies in these non-mammalian model organisms have facilitated the diagnosis of numerous genetic diseases and have enabled the screening and identification of therapeutic options for patients. Studies in non-mammalian model organisms have also shown that the biological processes underlying rare diseases can provide insight into more common mechanisms of disease and the biological functions of genes. Here, we discuss the opportunities afforded by non-mammalian model organisms, focusing on flies, worms and fish, and provide examples of their use in the diagnosis of rare genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Oguz Kanca
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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7
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Jensen B, Andelfinger GU, Postma AV. Molecular Pathways and Animal Models of Ebstein's Anomaly. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1441:915-928. [PMID: 38884760 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-44087-8_58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Ebstein's anomaly is a congenital malformation of the tricuspid valve characterized by abnormal attachment of the valve leaflets, resulting in varying degrees of valve dysfunction. The anatomic hallmarks of this entity are the downward displacement of the attachment of the septal and posterior leaflets of the tricuspid valve. Additional intracardiac malformations are common. From an embryological point of view, the cavity of the future right atrium does not have a direct orifice connected to the developing right ventricle. This chapter provides an overview of current insight into how this connection is formed and how malformations of the tricuspid valve arise from dysregulation of molecular and morphological events involved in this process. Furthermore, mouse models that show features of Ebstein's anomaly and the naturally occurring model of canine tricuspid valve malformation are described and compared to the human model. Although Ebstein's anomaly remains one of the least understood cardiac malformations to date, the studies summarized here provide, in aggregate, evidence for monogenic and oligogenic factors driving pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjarke Jensen
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gregor U Andelfinger
- Cardiovascular Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, CHU Sainte Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Alex V Postma
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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8
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Ye J, Niu Y, Peng Y, Huang J, Wang H, Fu Q, Li F, Xu R, Chen S, Xu Y, Sun K. Analysis of pathogenic variants in 605 Chinese children with non-syndromic cardiac conotruncal defects based on targeted sequencing. Genomics 2023; 115:110676. [PMID: 37406974 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2023.110676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Deleterious genetic variants comprise one cause of cardiac conotruncal defects (CTDs). Genes associated with CTDs are gradually being identified. In the present study, we aimed to explore the profile of genetic variants of CTD-associated genes in Chinese patients with non-syndromic CTDs. METHODS Thirty-nine CTD-related genes were selected after reviewing published articles in NCBI, HGMD, OMIM, and HPO. In total, 605 patients with non-syndromic CTDs and 300 healthy controls, all of Han ethnicity, were recruited. High-throughput targeted sequencing was used to detect genetic variants in the protein-coding regions of genes. We performed rigorous variant-level filtrations to identify potentially damaging variants (Dvars) using prediction programs including CADD, SIFT, PolyPhen-2, and MutationTaster. RESULT Dvars were detected in 66.7% (26/39) of the targeted CTD-associated genes. In total, 11.07% (67/605) of patients with non-syndromic CTDs were found to carry one or more Dvars in targeted CTD-associated genes. Dvars in FOXH1, TBX2, NFATC1, FOXC2, and FOXC1 were common in the CTD cohort (1.5% [9/605], 1.2% [7/605], 1.2% [7/605], 1% [6/605], and 0.5% [3/605], respectively). CONCLUSION Targeted exon sequencing is a cost-effective approach for the genetic diagnosis of CTDs. Our findings contribute to an understanding of the genetic architecture of non-syndromic CTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- JiaJun Ye
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yiwei Niu
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yongxuan Peng
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jihong Huang
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Huiying Wang
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Qihua Fu
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Fen Li
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Rang Xu
- Scientific Research Center, Xinhua Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Sun Chen
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yuejuan Xu
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Kun Sun
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China.
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9
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Jiang X, Boutin T, Vitart V. Colocalization of corneal resistance factor GWAS loci with GTEx e/sQTLs highlights plausible candidate causal genes for keratoconus postnatal corneal stroma weakening. Front Genet 2023; 14:1171217. [PMID: 37621707 PMCID: PMC10445647 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1171217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for corneal resistance factor (CRF) have identified 100s of loci and proved useful to uncover genetic determinants for keratoconus, a corneal ectasia of early-adulthood onset and common indication of corneal transplantation. In the current absence of studies to probe the impact of candidate causal variants in the cornea, we aimed to fill some of this knowledge gap by leveraging tissue-shared genetic effects. Methods: 181 CRF signals were examined for evidence of colocalization with genetic signals affecting steady-state gene transcription and splicing in adult, non-eye, tissues of the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project. Expression of candidate causal genes thus nominated was evaluated in single cell transcriptomes from adult cornea, limbus and conjunctiva. Fine-mapping and colocalization of CRF and keratoconus GWAS signals was also deployed to support their sharing causal variants. Results and discussion: 26.5% of CRF causal signals colocalized with GTEx v8 signals and nominated genes enriched in genes with high and specific expression in corneal stromal cells amongst tissues examined. Enrichment analyses carried out with nearest genes to all 181 CRF GWAS signals indicated that stromal cells of the limbus could be susceptible to signals that did not colocalize with GTEx's. These cells might not be well represented in GTEx and/or the genetic associations might have context specific effects. The causal signals shared with GTEx provide new insights into mediation of CRF genetic effects, including modulation of splicing events. Functionally relevant roles for several implicated genes' products in providing tensile strength, mechano-sensing and signaling make the corresponding genes and regulatory variants prime candidates to be validated and their roles and effects across tissues elucidated. Colocalization of CRF and keratoconus GWAS signals strengthened support for shared causal variants but also highlighted many ways into which likely true shared signals could be missed when using readily available GWAS summary statistics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Jiang
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Thibaud Boutin
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Veronique Vitart
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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10
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Lamandé SR, Ng ES, Cameron TL, Kung LHW, Sampurno L, Rowley L, Lilianty J, Patria YN, Stenta T, Hanssen E, Bell KM, Saxena R, Stok KS, Stanley EG, Elefanty AG, Bateman JF. Modeling human skeletal development using human pluripotent stem cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2211510120. [PMID: 37126720 PMCID: PMC10175848 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2211510120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chondrocytes and osteoblasts differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) will provide insights into skeletal development and genetic skeletal disorders and will generate cells for regenerative medicine applications. Here, we describe a method that directs iPSC-derived sclerotome to chondroprogenitors in 3D pellet culture then to articular chondrocytes or, alternatively, along the growth plate cartilage pathway to become hypertrophic chondrocytes that can transition to osteoblasts. Osteogenic organoids deposit and mineralize a collagen I extracellular matrix (ECM), mirroring in vivo endochondral bone formation. We have identified gene expression signatures at key developmental stages including chondrocyte maturation, hypertrophy, and transition to osteoblasts and show that this system can be used to model genetic cartilage and bone disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shireen R. Lamandé
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Elizabeth S. Ng
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Trevor L. Cameron
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Louise H. W. Kung
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Lisa Sampurno
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Lynn Rowley
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Jinia Lilianty
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Yudha Nur Patria
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Child Health, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta55281, Indonesia
| | - Tayla Stenta
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Eric Hanssen
- Ian Holmes Imaging Center and Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Katrina M. Bell
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Ritika Saxena
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Kathryn S. Stok
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Edouard G. Stanley
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Andrew G. Elefanty
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - John F. Bateman
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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11
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Bosticardo M, Notarangelo LD. Human thymus in health and disease: Recent advances in diagnosis and biology. Semin Immunol 2023; 66:101732. [PMID: 36863139 PMCID: PMC10134747 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is the crucial tissue where thymocytes develop from hematopoietic precursors that originate from the bone marrow and differentiate to generate a repertoire of mature T cells able to respond to foreign antigens while remaining tolerant to self-antigens. Until recently, most of the knowledge on thymus biology and its cellular and molecular complexity have been obtained through studies in animal models, because of the difficulty to gain access to thymic tissue in humans and the lack of in vitro models able to faithfully recapitulate the thymic microenvironment. This review focuses on recent advances in the understanding of human thymus biology in health and disease obtained through the use of innovative experimental techniques (eg. single cell RNA sequencing, scRNAseq), diagnostic tools (eg. next generation sequencing), and in vitro models of T-cell differentiation (artificial thymic organoids) and thymus development (eg. thymic epithelial cell differentiation from embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marita Bosticardo
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Luigi D Notarangelo
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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12
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Mustillo PJ, Sullivan KE, Chinn IK, Notarangelo LD, Haddad E, Davies EG, de la Morena MT, Hartog N, Yu JE, Hernandez-Trujillo VP, Ip W, Franco J, Gambineri E, Hickey SE, Varga E, Markert ML. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Immunological Management of Chromosome 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome and Other Defects in Thymic Development. J Clin Immunol 2023; 43:247-270. [PMID: 36648576 PMCID: PMC9892161 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-022-01418-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Current practices vary widely regarding the immunological work-up and management of patients affected with defects in thymic development (DTD), which include chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome (22q11.2del) and other causes of DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) and coloboma, heart defect, atresia choanae, retardation of growth and development, genital hypoplasia, ear anomalies/deafness (CHARGE) syndrome. Practice variations affect the initial and subsequent assessment of immune function, the terminology used to describe the condition and immune status, the accepted criteria for recommending live vaccines, and how often follow-up is needed based on the degree of immune compromise. The lack of consensus and widely varying practices highlight the need to establish updated immunological clinical practice guidelines. These guideline recommendations provide a comprehensive review for immunologists and other clinicians who manage immune aspects of this group of disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Mustillo
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.
| | - Kathleen E Sullivan
- Division of Allergy Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ivan K Chinn
- Division of Immunology, Allergy, and Retrovirology, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Luigi D Notarangelo
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Elie Haddad
- Department of Pediatrics, Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, CHU Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - E Graham Davies
- Department of Immunology, Great Ormond Street Hospital and UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, WC1N 3HJ, UK
| | - Maria Teresa de la Morena
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Nicholas Hartog
- Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Department of Allergy and Immunology, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing, USA
| | - Joyce E Yu
- Division of Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Winnie Ip
- Department of Immunology, Great Ormond Street Hospital and UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, WC1N 3JH, UK
| | - Jose Franco
- Grupo de Inmunodeficiencias Primarias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Eleonora Gambineri
- Department of "NEUROFARBA", Section of Child's Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Centre of Excellence, Division of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Scott E Hickey
- Division of Genetic & Genomic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Elizabeth Varga
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - M Louise Markert
- Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
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13
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Rafeeq MM, Murad HAS, Najumuddin, Ullah S, Ahmed Z, Alam Q, Bilal M, Habib AH, Sain ZM, Khan MJ, Umair M. Case report: A novel de novo loss of function variant in the DNA-binding domain of TBX2 causes severe osteochondrodysplasia. Front Genet 2023; 13:1117500. [PMID: 36733940 PMCID: PMC9888409 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1117500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: T-box family members are transcription factors characterized by highly conserved residues corresponding to the DNA-binding domain known as the T-box. TBX2 has been implicated in several developmental processes, such as coordinating cell fate, patterning, and morphogenesis of a wide range of tissues and organs, including lungs, limbs, heart, kidneys, craniofacial structures, and mammary glands. Methods: In the present study, we have clinically and genetically characterized a proband showing a severe form of chondrodysplasia with developmental delay. Whole-exome sequencing (WES), Sanger sequencing, and 3D protein modeling were performed in the present investigation. Results: Whole-exome sequencing revealed a novel nonsense variant (c.529A>T; p.Lys177*; NM_005994.4) in TBX2. 3D-TBX2 protein modeling revealed a substantial reduction of the mutated protein, which might lead to a loss of function (LOF) or nonsense-mediated decay (NMD). Conclusion: This study has not only expanded the mutation spectrum in the gene TBX2 but also facilitated the diagnosis and genetic counseling of related features in affected families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misbahuddin M. Rafeeq
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hussam Aly Sayed Murad
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Najumuddin
- National Center for Bioinformatics (NCB), Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Samee Ullah
- National Center for Bioinformatics (NCB), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Zaheer Ahmed
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Qamre Alam
- Molecular Genomics and Precision Medicine, ExpressMed Laboratories, Zinj, Bahrain
| | - Muhammad Bilal
- Department of Biochemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Alaa Hamed Habib
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ziaullah M. Sain
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Muhammad Umair
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Science, University of Management and Technology (UMT), Lahore, Pakistan,Medical Genomics Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNGH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,*Correspondence: Muhammad Umair, ,
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14
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A 3-Gene Random Forest Model to Diagnose Non-obstructive Azoospermia Based on Transcription Factor-Related Henes. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:233-246. [PMID: 35715550 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-01008-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is one of the most severe forms of male infertility, but its diagnosis biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity are largely unknown. Transcription factors (TFs) play essential roles in many pathological processes in different diseases. Herein, we aimed to identify the TFs showing high diagnosis ability for NOA through machine learning algorithms. The transcriptome data of the testicular tissue from 11 control and 47 NOA subjects were set as the training dataset; meanwhile, 1665 TFs were retrieved from the HumanTFDB. Through the feature extraction methods, including genomic difference analysis, Lasso, Boruta, SVM-RFE, and logistic regression, ETV2, TBX2, and ZNF689 were ultimately screened and then were included in the random forest (RF) diagnosis model. The RF model displayed high predictive power in the training (F-measure = 1) and two external validation (n = 31, F-measure = 0.902; n = 20, F-measure = 0.941) cohorts. The seminal plasma and testicular biopsy samples of 20 control and 20 NOA patients were collected from the local hospital, and the expression levels of ETV2, TBX2, and ZNF689 were measured via RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. The RF model could also distinguish the NOA samples in the local cohort (F-measure = 0.741). Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis, which was based on the 432 testicular cell samples from an NOA patient, showed that ETV2, TBX2, and ZNF689 were all significantly associated with spermatogenesis. In all, a 3-TF random forest diagnosis model was successfully established, providing novel insights into the latent mechanisms of NOA.
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15
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Howley E, Davies EG, Kreins AY. Congenital Athymia: Unmet Needs and Practical Guidance. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2023; 19:239-254. [PMID: 36935770 PMCID: PMC10022451 DOI: 10.2147/tcrm.s379673] [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: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Inborn errors of thymic stromal cell development and function which are associated with congenital athymia result in life-threatening immunodeficiency with susceptibility to infections and autoimmunity. Athymic patients can be treated by thymus transplantation using cultured donor thymus tissue. Outcomes in patients treated at Duke University Medical Center and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) over the past three decades have shown that sufficient T-cell immunity can be recovered to clear and prevent infections, but post-treatment autoimmune manifestations are relatively common. Whilst thymus transplantation offers the chance of long-term survival, significant challenges remain to optimise the outcomes for the patients. In this review, we will discuss unmet needs and offer practical guidance based on the experience of the European Thymus Transplantation programme at GOSH. Newborn screening (NBS) for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and routine use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms have improved early recognition of congenital athymia and increasing numbers of patients are being referred for thymus transplantation. Nevertheless, there remain delays in diagnosis, in particular when the cause is genetically undefined, and treatment accessibility needs to be improved. The majority of athymic patients have syndromic features with acute and chronic complex health issues, requiring life-long multidisciplinary and multicentre collaboration to optimise their medical and social care. Comprehensive follow up after thymus transplantation including monitoring of immunological results, management of co-morbidities and patient and family quality-of-life experience, is vital to understanding long-term outcomes for this rare cohort of patients. Alongside translational research into improving strategies for thymus replacement therapy, patient-focused clinical research will facilitate the design of strategies to improve the overall care for athymic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evey Howley
- Department of Immunology and Gene Therapy, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - E Graham Davies
- Department of Immunology and Gene Therapy, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Alexandra Y Kreins
- Department of Immunology and Gene Therapy, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research & Teaching Department, University College London, London, UK
- Correspondence: Alexandra Y Kreins, Email
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16
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Lu S, Ma M, Mao X, Bacino CA, Jankovic J, Sutton VR, Bartley JA, Wang X, Rosenfeld JA, Beleza-Meireles A, Chauhan J, Pan X, Li M, Liu P, Prescott K, Amin S, Davies G, Wangler MF, Dai Y, Bellen HJ. De novo variants in FRMD5 are associated with developmental delay, intellectual disability, ataxia, and abnormalities of eye movement. Am J Hum Genet 2022; 109:1932-1943. [PMID: 36206744 PMCID: PMC9606480 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins containing the FERM (four-point-one, ezrin, radixin, and moesin) domain link the plasma membrane with cytoskeletal structures at specific cellular locations and have been implicated in the localization of cell-membrane-associated proteins and/or phosphoinositides. FERM domain-containing protein 5 (FRMD5) localizes at cell adherens junctions and stabilizes cell-cell contacts. To date, variants in FRMD5 have not been associated with a Mendelian disease in OMIM. Here, we describe eight probands with rare heterozygous missense variants in FRMD5 who present with developmental delay, intellectual disability, ataxia, seizures, and abnormalities of eye movement. The variants are de novo in all for whom parental testing was available (six out of eight probands), and human genetic datasets suggest that FRMD5 is intolerant to loss of function (LoF). We found that the fly ortholog of FRMD5, CG5022 (dFrmd), is expressed in the larval and adult central nervous systems where it is present in neurons but not in glia. dFrmd LoF mutant flies are viable but are extremely sensitive to heat shock, which induces severe seizures. The mutants also exhibit defective responses to light. The human FRMD5 reference (Ref) cDNA rescues the fly dFrmd LoF phenotypes. In contrast, all the FRMD5 variants tested in this study (c.340T>C, c.1051A>G, c.1053C>G, c.1054T>C, c.1045A>C, and c.1637A>G) behave as partial LoF variants. In addition, our results indicate that two variants that were tested have dominant-negative effects. In summary, the evidence supports that the observed variants in FRMD5 cause neurological symptoms in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenzhao Lu
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mengqi Ma
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xiao Mao
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory for Birth Defect Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; Department of Medical Genetics, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Carlos A Bacino
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Joseph Jankovic
- Parkinson's Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - V Reid Sutton
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - James A Bartley
- Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Xueying Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China
| | - Jill A Rosenfeld
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Baylor Genetics Laboratories, Houston, TX 77021, USA
| | - Ana Beleza-Meireles
- Clinical Genetics Department, St Michael's Hospital, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston, Bristol BS1 3NU, UK
| | - Jaynee Chauhan
- Yorkshire Regional Genetics Service, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds LS7 4SA, UK
| | - Xueyang Pan
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Megan Li
- Invitae, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA
| | - Pengfei Liu
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Baylor Genetics Laboratories, Houston, TX 77021, USA
| | - Katrina Prescott
- Yorkshire Regional Genetics Service, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds LS7 4SA, UK
| | - Sam Amin
- Paediatric Neurology Department, Bristol Royal Pediatric Hospital, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston, Bristol BS1 3NU, UK
| | | | - Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yuwei Dai
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory for Birth Defect Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China.
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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17
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Liu HF, Yuan TY, Yang JW, Li F, Wang F, Fu HM. A novel de novo heterozygous variant of the KCNQ2 gene: Contribution to early‑onset epileptic encephalopathy in a female infant. Mol Med Rep 2022; 26:282. [PMID: 35856407 PMCID: PMC9364154 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2022.12797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Early-onset epileptic encephalopathy (EOEE) represents one of the most severe epilepsies, characterized by recurrent seizures during early infancy, electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities and varying degrees of neurodevelopmental delay. The KCNQ2 gene has been reported to have a major role in EOEE. In the present study, a 3-month-old female infant from the Chinese Lisu minority with EOEE was analyzed. Detailed clinical evaluations and next-generation sequencing were performed to investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of this patient, respectively. Furthermore, the three-dimensional structure of the mutant protein was predicted by SWISS-Model and the expression of KCNQ2 protein in the patient was assessed by flow cytometry. It was observed that the patient presented with typical clinical features of EOEE, including repeated non-febrile seizures and significant EEG abnormalities. A novel heterozygous missense variant c.431G>C (p.R144P) in KCNQ2 was identified in the patient and the genotyping of KCNQ2 in the patient's parents suggested that this variant was de novo. Subsequently, the breakage of hydrogen bonds between certain amino acids was predicted by structural analysis of the mutant protein. Flow cytometric analysis detected a significant reduction buts not complete loss of native KCNQ2 protein expression in the patient (25.1%). In conclusion, a novel variant in KCNQ2 was confirmed as the genetic cause for EOEE in this patient. The present study expanded the pathogenic mutation spectrum of KCNQ2, enhanced the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of EOEE and provided novel clues for research on the genotype-phenotype correlation in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Feng Liu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Kunming Children's Hospital and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Children's Major Disease Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650034, P.R. China
| | - Ting-Yun Yuan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Kunming Children's Hospital and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Children's Major Disease Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650034, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Wu Yang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Kunming Children's Hospital and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Children's Major Disease Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650034, P.R. China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Kunming Children's Hospital and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Children's Major Disease Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650034, P.R. China
| | - Fan Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Kunming Children's Hospital and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Children's Major Disease Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650034, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Min Fu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Kunming Children's Hospital and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Children's Major Disease Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650034, P.R. China
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18
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Pala F, Notarangelo LD, Bosticardo M. Inborn errors of immunity associated with defects of thymic development. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2022; 33:e13832. [PMID: 36003043 PMCID: PMC11077434 DOI: 10.1111/pai.13832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The main function of the thymus is to support the establishment of a wide repertoire of T lymphocytes capable of eliminating foreign pathogens, yet tolerant to self-antigens. Thymocyte development in the thymus is dependent on the interaction with thymic stromal cells, a complex mixture of cells comprising thymic epithelial cells (TEC), mesenchymal and endothelial cells. The exchange of signals between stromal cells and thymocytes is referred to as "thymic cross-talk". Genetic defects affecting either side of this interaction result in defects in thymic development that ultimately lead to a decreased output of T lymphocytes to the periphery. In the present review, we aim at providing a summary of inborn errors of immunity (IEI) characterized by T-cell lymphopenia due to defects of the thymic stroma, or to hematopoietic-intrinsic defects of T-cell development, with a special focus on recently discovered disorders. Additionally, we review the novel diagnostic tools developed to discover and study new genetic causes of IEI due to defects in thymic development. Finally, we discuss therapeutic approaches to correct thymic defects that are currently available, in addition to potential novel therapies that could be applied in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Pala
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Luigi D Notarangelo
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Marita Bosticardo
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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19
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Zhao M, Yin N, Yang R, Li S, Zhang S, Faiola F. Environmentally relevant exposure to TBBPA and its analogues may not drastically affect human early cardiac development. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 306:119467. [PMID: 35577262 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and its substitutes and derivatives have been widely used as halogenated flame retardants (HFRs), in the past few decades. As a consequence, these compounds are frequently detected in the environment, as well as human bodily fluids, especially umbilical cord blood and breast milk. This has raised awareness of their potential risks to fetuses and infants. In this study, we employed human embryonic stem cell differentiation models to assess the potential developmental toxicity of six TBBPA-like compounds, at human relevant nanomolar concentrations. To mimic early embryonic development, we utilized embryoid body-based 3D differentiation in presence of the six HFRs. Transcriptomics data showed that HFR exposure over 16 days of differentiation only interfered with the expression of a few genes, indicating those six HFRs may not have specific tissue/organ targets during embryonic development. Nevertheless, further analyses revealed that some cardiac-related genes were dysregulated. Since the heart is also the first organ to develop, we employed a cardiac differentiation model to analyze the six HFRs' potential developmental toxicity in more depth. Overall, HFRs of interest did not significantly disturb the canonical WNT pathway, which is an essential signal transduction pathway for cardiac development. In addition, the six HFRs showed only mild changes in gene expression levels for cardiomyocyte markers, such as NKX2.5, MYH7, and MYL4, as well as a significant down-regulation of some but not all the epicardial and smooth muscle cell markers selected. Taken together, our results show that the six studied HFRs, at human relevant concentrations, may impose negligible effects on embryogenesis and heart development. Nevertheless, higher exposure doses might affect the early stages of heart development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Nuoya Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Renjun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shichang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shuxian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Francesco Faiola
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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20
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Lu S, Hernan R, Marcogliese PC, Huang Y, Gertler TS, Akcaboy M, Liu S, Chung HL, Pan X, Sun X, Oguz MM, Oztoprak U, de Baaij JH, Ivanisevic J, McGinnis E, Guillen Sacoto MJ, Chung WK, Bellen HJ. Loss-of-function variants in TIAM1 are associated with developmental delay, intellectual disability, and seizures. Am J Hum Genet 2022; 109:571-586. [PMID: 35240055 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
TIAM Rac1-associated GEF 1 (TIAM1) regulates RAC1 signaling pathways that affect the control of neuronal morphogenesis and neurite outgrowth by modulating the actin cytoskeletal network. To date, TIAM1 has not been associated with a Mendelian disorder. Here, we describe five individuals with bi-allelic TIAM1 missense variants who have developmental delay, intellectual disability, speech delay, and seizures. Bioinformatic analyses demonstrate that these variants are rare and likely pathogenic. We found that the Drosophila ortholog of TIAM1, still life (sif), is expressed in larval and adult central nervous system (CNS) and is mainly expressed in a subset of neurons, but not in glia. Loss of sif reduces the survival rate, and the surviving adults exhibit climbing defects, are prone to severe seizures, and have a short lifespan. The TIAM1 reference (Ref) cDNA partially rescues the sif loss-of-function (LoF) phenotypes. We also assessed the function associated with three TIAM1 variants carried by two of the probands and compared them to the TIAM1 Ref cDNA function in vivo. TIAM1 p.Arg23Cys has reduced rescue ability when compared to TIAM1 Ref, suggesting that it is a partial LoF variant. In ectopic expression studies, both wild-type sif and TIAM1 Ref are toxic, whereas the three variants (p.Leu862Phe, p.Arg23Cys, and p.Gly328Val) show reduced toxicity, suggesting that they are partial LoF variants. In summary, we provide evidence that sif is important for appropriate neural function and that TIAM1 variants observed in the probands are disruptive, thus implicating loss of TIAM1 in neurological phenotypes in humans.
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Marcogliese PC, Deal SL, Andrews J, Harnish JM, Bhavana VH, Graves HK, Jangam S, Luo X, Liu N, Bei D, Chao YH, Hull B, Lee PT, Pan H, Bhadane P, Huang MC, Longley CM, Chao HT, Chung HL, Haelterman NA, Kanca O, Manivannan SN, Rossetti LZ, German RJ, Gerard A, Schwaibold EMC, Fehr S, Guerrini R, Vetro A, England E, Murali CN, Barakat TS, van Dooren MF, Wilke M, van Slegtenhorst M, Lesca G, Sabatier I, Chatron N, Brownstein CA, Madden JA, Agrawal PB, Keren B, Courtin T, Perrin L, Brugger M, Roser T, Leiz S, Mau-Them FT, Delanne J, Sukarova-Angelovska E, Trajkova S, Rosenhahn E, Strehlow V, Platzer K, Keller R, Pavinato L, Brusco A, Rosenfeld JA, Marom R, Wangler MF, Yamamoto S. Drosophila functional screening of de novo variants in autism uncovers damaging variants and facilitates discovery of rare neurodevelopmental diseases. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110517. [PMID: 35294868 PMCID: PMC8983390 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit an increased burden of de novo mutations (DNMs) in a broadening range of genes. While these studies have implicated hundreds of genes in ASD pathogenesis, which DNMs cause functional consequences in vivo remains unclear. We functionally test the effects of ASD missense DNMs using Drosophila through "humanization" rescue and overexpression-based strategies. We examine 79 ASD variants in 74 genes identified in the Simons Simplex Collection and find 38% of them to cause functional alterations. Moreover, we identify GLRA2 as the cause of a spectrum of neurodevelopmental phenotypes beyond ASD in 13 previously undiagnosed subjects. Functional characterization of variants in ASD candidate genes points to conserved neurobiological mechanisms and facilitates gene discovery for rare neurodevelopmental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C Marcogliese
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Samantha L Deal
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Program in Developmental Biology, BCM, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jonathan Andrews
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - J Michael Harnish
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - V Hemanjani Bhavana
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hillary K Graves
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sharayu Jangam
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xi Luo
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, BCM, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Baylor Genetics Laboratories, Houston, TX 77021, USA
| | - Danqing Bei
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yu-Hsin Chao
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Brooke Hull
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Pei-Tseng Lee
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hongling Pan
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Pradnya Bhadane
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mei-Chu Huang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Colleen M Longley
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Program in Developmental Biology, BCM, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hsiao-Tuan Chao
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, BCM, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neuroscience, BCM, Houston, TX 77030, USA; McNair Medical Institute, The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, Houston, TX 77030, USA; TCH, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Development, Disease Models & Therapeutics Graduate Program, BCM, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hyung-Lok Chung
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nele A Haelterman
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Oguz Kanca
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sathiya N Manivannan
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Linda Z Rossetti
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ryan J German
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Amanda Gerard
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; TCH, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Sarah Fehr
- Praxis für Humangenetik Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Renzo Guerrini
- Neuroscience Department, Children's Hospital Meyer-University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Annalisa Vetro
- Neuroscience Department, Children's Hospital Meyer-University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Eleina England
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Chaya N Murali
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; TCH, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Tahsin Stefan Barakat
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke F van Dooren
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Martina Wilke
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marjon van Slegtenhorst
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gaetan Lesca
- Department of Medical Genetics, Lyon University Hospital, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France; Institut NeuroMyoGène, CNRS UMR 5310 - INSERM U1217, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Isabelle Sabatier
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Lyon University Hospitals, Lyon, France
| | - Nicolas Chatron
- Department of Medical Genetics, Lyon University Hospital, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France; Institut NeuroMyoGène, CNRS UMR 5310 - INSERM U1217, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Catherine A Brownstein
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jill A Madden
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Pankaj B Agrawal
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Boris Keren
- Genetic Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, APHP.Sorbonne Université, Paris 75013, France
| | - Thomas Courtin
- Genetic Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, APHP.Sorbonne Université, Paris 75013, France
| | - Laurence Perrin
- Genetic Department, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP.Nord-Université de Paris, Paris 75019, France
| | - Melanie Brugger
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Timo Roser
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Developmental Medicine and Social Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Lindwurmstraße 4, 80337 Munich, Germany
| | - Steffen Leiz
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Hospital Dritter Orden, Munich, Germany
| | - Frederic Tran Mau-Them
- INSERM U1231, LNC UMR1231 GAD, Burgundy University, 21000 Dijon, France; Laboratoire de Génétique, Innovation en Diagnostic Génomique des Maladies Rares UF6254, Plateau Technique de Biologie, CHU Dijon, 14 Rue Paul Gaffarel, BP 77908, 21079 Dijon, France
| | - Julian Delanne
- INSERM U1231, LNC UMR1231 GAD, Burgundy University, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Elena Sukarova-Angelovska
- Department of Endocrinology and Genetics, University Clinic for Children's Diseases, Medical Faculty, University Sv. Kiril i Metodij, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
| | - Slavica Trajkova
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Erik Rosenhahn
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Vincent Strehlow
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Konrad Platzer
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Roberto Keller
- Adult Autism Center, Mental Health Department, Health Unit ASL Città di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Lisa Pavinato
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Institute of Human Genetics and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Alfredo Brusco
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Medical Genetics Unit, Città della Salute e della Scienza, University Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Jill A Rosenfeld
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Baylor Genetics Laboratories, Houston, TX 77021, USA
| | - Ronit Marom
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; TCH, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA; TCH, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Development, Disease Models & Therapeutics Graduate Program, BCM, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), Houston, TX 77030, USA; Program in Developmental Biology, BCM, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neuroscience, BCM, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Development, Disease Models & Therapeutics Graduate Program, BCM, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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22
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Zug R. Developmental disorders caused by haploinsufficiency of transcriptional regulators: a perspective based on cell fate determination. Biol Open 2022; 11:bio058896. [PMID: 35089335 PMCID: PMC8801891 DOI: 10.1242/bio.058896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Many human birth defects and neurodevelopmental disorders are caused by loss-of-function mutations in a single copy of transcription factor (TF) and chromatin regulator genes. Although this dosage sensitivity has long been known, how and why haploinsufficiency (HI) of transcriptional regulators leads to developmental disorders (DDs) is unclear. Here I propose the hypothesis that such DDs result from defects in cell fate determination that are based on disrupted bistability in the underlying gene regulatory network (GRN). Bistability, a crucial systems biology concept to model binary choices such as cell fate decisions, requires both positive feedback and ultrasensitivity, the latter often achieved through TF cooperativity. The hypothesis explains why dosage sensitivity of transcriptional regulators is an inherent property of fate decisions, and why disruption of either positive feedback or cooperativity in the underlying GRN is sufficient to cause disease. I present empirical and theoretical evidence in support of this hypothesis and discuss several issues for which it increases our understanding of disease, such as incomplete penetrance. The proposed framework provides a mechanistic, systems-level explanation of HI of transcriptional regulators, thus unifying existing theories, and offers new insights into outstanding issues of human disease. This article has an associated Future Leader to Watch interview with the author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Zug
- Department of Biology, Lund University, 22362 Lund, Sweden
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23
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Mäkitie RE, Toiviainen-Salo S, Kaitila I, Mäkitie O. A Novel Osteochondrodysplasia With Empty Sella Associates With a TBX2 Variant. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:845889. [PMID: 35311234 PMCID: PMC8927981 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.845889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal dysplasias comprise a heterogenous group of developmental disorders of skeletal and cartilaginous tissues. Several different forms have been described and the full spectrum of their clinical manifestations and underlying genetic causes are still incompletely understood. We report a three-generation Finnish family with an unusual, autosomal dominant form of osteochondrodysplasia and an empty sella. Affected individuals (age range 24-44 years) exhibit unusual codfish-shaped vertebrae, severe early-onset and debilitating osteoarthritis and an empty sella without endocrine abnormalities. Clinical characteristics also include mild dysmorphic features, reduced sitting height ratio, and obesity. Whole-exome sequencing excluded known skeletal dysplasias and identified a novel heterozygous missense mutation c.899C>T (p.Thr300Met) in TBX2, confirmed by Sanger sequencing. TBX2 is important for development of the skeleton and the brain and three prior reports have described variations in TBX2 in patients portraying a complex phenotype with vertebral anomalies, craniofacial dysmorphism and endocrine dysfunctions. Our mutation lies near a previously reported disease-causing variant and is predicted pathogenic with deleterious effects on protein function. Our findings expand the current spectrum of skeletal dysplasias, support the association of TBX2 mutations with skeletal dysplasia and suggest a role for TBX2 in development of the spinal and craniofacial structures and the pituitary gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riikka E. Mäkitie
- Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- *Correspondence: Riikka E. Mäkitie,
| | - Sanna Toiviainen-Salo
- Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Medical Imaging Center, Pediatric Radiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilkka Kaitila
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Outi Mäkitie
- Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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24
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Okeke C, Silas U, Nnodu O, Clementina O. HSC and miRNA Regulation with Implication for Foetal Haemoglobin Induction in Beta Haemoglobinopathies. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 17:339-347. [PMID: 35189805 DOI: 10.2174/1574888x17666220221104711] [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: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common haemoglobinopathies worldwide, with up to 70 % of global SCD annual births occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Reports have shown that 50 to 80 % of affected children in these countries die annually. Efforts geared towards understanding and controlling HbF production in SCD patients could lead to strategies for effective control of globin gene expression and therapeutic approaches that could be beneficial to individuals with haemoglobinopathies. Hemopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are characterized by a specific miRNA signature in every state of differentiation. The role of miRNAs has become evident both in the maintenance of the "stemness" and in the early induction of differentiation by modulation of the expression of the master pluripotency genes and during early organogenesis. miRNAs are extra regulatory mechanisms in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) via influencing transcription profiles together with transcript stability. miRNAs have been reported to be used to reprogram primary somatic cells toward pluripotency. Their involvement in cell editing holds the potential for therapy for many genetic diseases. This review provides a snapshot of miRNA involvement in cell fate decisions, haemoglobin induction pathway, and their journey as some emerge prime targets for therapy in beta haemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinwe Okeke
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Ufele Silas
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Obiageli Nnodu
- Department of Haematology, College of Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja Nigeria
| | - Odoh Clementina
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
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25
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Mukherjee S, Cogan JD, Newman JH, Phillips JA, Hamid R, Meiler J, Capra JA. Identifying digenic disease genes via machine learning in the Undiagnosed Diseases Network. Am J Hum Genet 2021; 108:1946-1963. [PMID: 34529933 PMCID: PMC8546038 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2021.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rare diseases affect millions of people worldwide, and discovering their genetic causes is challenging. More than half of the individuals analyzed by the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) remain undiagnosed. The central hypothesis of this work is that many of these rare genetic disorders are caused by multiple variants in more than one gene. However, given the large number of variants in each individual genome, experimentally evaluating combinations of variants for potential to cause disease is currently infeasible. To address this challenge, we developed the digenic predictor (DiGePred), a random forest classifier for identifying candidate digenic disease gene pairs by features derived from biological networks, genomics, evolutionary history, and functional annotations. We trained the DiGePred classifier by using DIDA, the largest available database of known digenic-disease-causing gene pairs, and several sets of non-digenic gene pairs, including variant pairs derived from unaffected relatives of UDN individuals. DiGePred achieved high precision and recall in cross-validation and on a held-out test set (PR area under the curve > 77%), and we further demonstrate its utility by using digenic pairs from the recent literature. In contrast to other approaches, DiGePred also appropriately controls the number of false positives when applied in realistic clinical settings. Finally, to enable the rapid screening of variant gene pairs for digenic disease potential, we freely provide the predictions of DiGePred on all human gene pairs. Our work enables the discovery of genetic causes for rare non-monogenic diseases by providing a means to rapidly evaluate variant gene pairs for the potential to cause digenic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souhrid Mukherjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Joy D Cogan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - John H Newman
- Pulmonary Hypertension Center, Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - John A Phillips
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Rizwan Hamid
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jens Meiler
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Institute for Drug Discovery, Leipzig University Medical School, Leipzig 04103, Germany; Department of Chemistry, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04109, Germany; Department of Computer Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04109, Germany.
| | - John A Capra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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26
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Collins C, Sharpe E, Silber A, Kulke S, Hsieh EWY. Congenital Athymia: Genetic Etiologies, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Treatment. J Clin Immunol 2021; 41:881-895. [PMID: 33987750 PMCID: PMC8249278 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-021-01059-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Congenital athymia is an ultra-rare disease characterized by the absence of a functioning thymus. It is associated with several genetic and syndromic disorders including FOXN1 deficiency, 22q11.2 deletion, CHARGE Syndrome (Coloboma, Heart defects, Atresia of the nasal choanae, Retardation of growth and development, Genitourinary anomalies, and Ear anomalies), and Complete DiGeorge Syndrome. Congenital athymia can result from defects in genes that impact thymic organ development such as FOXN1 and PAX1 or from genes that are involved in development of the entire midline region, such as TBX1 within the 22q11.2 region, CHD7, and FOXI3. Patients with congenital athymia have profound immunodeficiency, increased susceptibility to infections, and frequently, autologous graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Athymic patients often present with absent T cells but normal numbers of B cells and Natural Killer cells (T-B+NK+), similar to a phenotype of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID); these patients may require additional steps to confirm the diagnosis if no known genetic cause of athymia is identified. However, distinguishing athymia from SCID is crucial, as treatments differ for these conditions. Cultured thymus tissue is being investigated as a treatment for congenital athymia. Here, we review what is known about the epidemiology, underlying etiologies, clinical manifestations, and treatments for congenital athymia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathleen Collins
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy Immunology, Rady Children's Hospital, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Sarah Kulke
- Enzyvant Therapeutics, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Elena W Y Hsieh
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
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27
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Care of Children with DiGeorge Before and After Cultured Thymus Tissue Implantation. J Clin Immunol 2021; 41:896-905. [PMID: 34003433 PMCID: PMC8249267 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-021-01044-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Background Children with complete DiGeorge anomaly (cDGA) have congenital athymia plus a myriad of other challenging clinical conditions. The term cDGA encompasses children with congenital athymia secondary to 22q11.2DS, CHARGE syndrome (coloboma, heart defects, choanal atresia, growth or mental retardation, genital abnormalities, and ear abnormalities and/or deafness), and other genetic abnormalities. Some children have no known genetic defects. Since 1993, more than 100 children with congenital athymia have been treated with cultured thymus tissue implantation (CTTI). Naïve T cells develop approximately 6 to 12 months after CTTI. Most of the children had significant comorbidities such as heart disease, hypoparathyroidism, and infections requiring complex clinical care post cultured thymus tissue implantation (CTTI). Objective The purpose of this guidance is to assist multidisciplinary teams in caring for children with cDGA both before and after CTTI. Methods Thirty-one specialists, in addition to the authors, were asked to share their experience in caring for children with cDGA at Duke University Health System, before and after CTTI. These specialists included physicians, nurses, dentists, therapists, and dieticians. Results The goal of a multidisciplinary approach is to have children in the best possible condition for receiving CTTI and provide optimal care post CTTI through development of naïve T cells and beyond. The CTT (cultured thymus tissue) must be protected from high doses of steroids which can damage CTT. Organs must be protected from adverse effects of immunosuppression. Conclusion Creating a multidisciplinary team and a detailed plan of care for children with cDGA is important for optimal outcomes.
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Baldridge D, Wangler MF, Bowman AN, Yamamoto S, Schedl T, Pak SC, Postlethwait JH, Shin J, Solnica-Krezel L, Bellen HJ, Westerfield M. Model organisms contribute to diagnosis and discovery in the undiagnosed diseases network: current state and a future vision. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:206. [PMID: 33962631 PMCID: PMC8103593 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-01839-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Decreased sequencing costs have led to an explosion of genetic and genomic data. These data have revealed thousands of candidate human disease variants. Establishing which variants cause phenotypes and diseases, however, has remained challenging. Significant progress has been made, including advances by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN). However, 6000-13,000 additional disease genes remain to be identified. The continued discovery of rare diseases and their genetic underpinnings provides benefits to affected patients, of whom there are more than 400 million worldwide, and also advances understanding the mechanisms of more common diseases. Platforms employing model organisms enable discovery of novel gene-disease relationships, help establish variant pathogenicity, and often lead to the exploration of underlying mechanisms of pathophysiology that suggest new therapies. The Model Organism Screening Center (MOSC) of the UDN is a unique resource dedicated to utilizing informatics and functional studies in model organisms, including worm (Caenorhabditis elegans), fly (Drosophila melanogaster), and zebrafish (Danio rerio), to aid in diagnosis. The MOSC has directly contributed to the diagnosis of challenging cases, including multiple patients with complex, multi-organ phenotypes. In addition, the MOSC provides a framework for how basic scientists and clinicians can collaborate to drive diagnoses. Customized experimental plans take into account patient presentations, specific genes and variant(s), and appropriateness of each model organism for analysis. The MOSC also generates bioinformatic and experimental tools and reagents for the wider scientific community. Two elements of the MOSC that have been instrumental in its success are (1) multidisciplinary teams with expertise in variant bioinformatics and in human and model organism genetics, and (2) mechanisms for ongoing communication with clinical teams. Here we provide a position statement regarding the central role of model organisms for continued discovery of disease genes, and we advocate for the continuation and expansion of MOSC-type research entities as a Model Organisms Network (MON) to be funded through grant applications submitted to the NIH, family groups focused on specific rare diseases, other philanthropic organizations, industry partnerships, and other sources of support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin Baldridge
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, BCM, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Development, Disease Models & Therapeutics Graduate Program, BCM, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Angela N Bowman
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Development, Disease Models & Therapeutics Graduate Program, BCM, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, BCM, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Tim Schedl
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Stephen C Pak
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | | | - Jimann Shin
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Lilianna Solnica-Krezel
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Development, Disease Models & Therapeutics Graduate Program, BCM, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, BCM, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Monte Westerfield
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
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Kaiser M, Wojahn I, Rudat C, Lüdtke TH, Christoffels VM, Moon A, Kispert A, Trowe MO. Regulation of otocyst patterning by Tbx2 and Tbx3 is required for inner ear morphogenesis in the mouse. Development 2021; 148:dev.195651. [PMID: 33795231 DOI: 10.1242/dev.195651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
All epithelial components of the inner ear, including sensory hair cells and innervating afferent neurons, arise by patterning and differentiation of epithelial progenitors residing in a simple sphere, the otocyst. Here, we identify the transcriptional repressors TBX2 and TBX3 as novel regulators of these processes in the mouse. Ablation of Tbx2 from the otocyst led to cochlear hypoplasia, whereas loss of Tbx3 was associated with vestibular malformations. The loss of function of both genes (Tbx2/3cDKO) prevented inner ear morphogenesis at midgestation, resulting in indiscernible cochlear and vestibular structures at birth. Morphogenetic impairment occurred concomitantly with increased apoptosis in ventral and lateral regions of Tbx2/3cDKO otocysts around E10.5. Expression analyses revealed partly disturbed regionalisation, and a posterior-ventral expansion of the neurogenic domain in Tbx2/3cDKO otocysts at this stage. We provide evidence that repression of FGF signalling by TBX2 is important to restrict neurogenesis to the anterior-ventral otocyst and implicate another T-box factor, TBX1, as a crucial mediator in this regulatory network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Kaiser
- Institute for Molecular Biology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Irina Wojahn
- Institute for Molecular Biology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Carsten Rudat
- Institute for Molecular Biology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Timo H Lüdtke
- Institute for Molecular Biology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Vincent M Christoffels
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Moon
- Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Weis Center for Research, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA 17822, USA.,Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Andreas Kispert
- Institute for Molecular Biology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Mark-Oliver Trowe
- Institute for Molecular Biology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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Kreins AY, Bonfanti P, Davies EG. Current and Future Therapeutic Approaches for Thymic Stromal Cell Defects. Front Immunol 2021; 12:655354. [PMID: 33815417 PMCID: PMC8012524 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.655354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Inborn errors of thymic stromal cell development and function lead to impaired T-cell development resulting in a susceptibility to opportunistic infections and autoimmunity. In their most severe form, congenital athymia, these disorders are life-threatening if left untreated. Athymia is rare and is typically associated with complete DiGeorge syndrome, which has multiple genetic and environmental etiologies. It is also found in rare cases of T-cell lymphopenia due to Nude SCID and Otofaciocervical Syndrome type 2, or in the context of genetically undefined defects. This group of disorders cannot be corrected by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, but upon timely recognition as thymic defects, can successfully be treated by thymus transplantation using cultured postnatal thymic tissue with the generation of naïve T-cells showing a diverse repertoire. Mortality after this treatment usually occurs before immune reconstitution and is mainly associated with infections most often acquired pre-transplantation. In this review, we will discuss the current approaches to the diagnosis and management of thymic stromal cell defects, in particular those resulting in athymia. We will discuss the impact of the expanding implementation of newborn screening for T-cell lymphopenia, in combination with next generation sequencing, as well as the role of novel diagnostic tools distinguishing between hematopoietic and thymic stromal cell defects in facilitating the early consideration for thymus transplantation of an increasing number of patients and disorders. Immune reconstitution after the current treatment is usually incomplete with relatively common inflammatory and autoimmune complications, emphasizing the importance for improving strategies for thymus replacement therapy by optimizing the current use of postnatal thymus tissue and developing new approaches using engineered thymus tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Y. Kreins
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Immunology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paola Bonfanti
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Epithelial Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - E. Graham Davies
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Immunology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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Varshney A, Chahal G, Santos L, Stolper J, Hallab JC, Nim HT, Nikolov M, Yip A, Ramialison M. Human Cardiac Transcription Factor Networks. SYSTEMS MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801238-3.11597-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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Kreins AY, Maio S, Dhalla F. Inborn errors of thymic stromal cell development and function. Semin Immunopathol 2020; 43:85-100. [PMID: 33257998 PMCID: PMC7925491 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-020-00826-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
As the primary site for T cell development, the thymus is responsible for the production and selection of a functional, yet self-tolerant T cell repertoire. This critically depends on thymic stromal cells, derived from the pharyngeal apparatus during embryogenesis. Thymic epithelial cells, mesenchymal and vascular elements together form the unique and highly specialised microenvironment required to support all aspects of thymopoiesis and T cell central tolerance induction. Although rare, inborn errors of thymic stromal cells constitute a clinically important group of conditions because their immunological consequences, which include autoimmune disease and T cell immunodeficiency, can be life-threatening if unrecognised and untreated. In this review, we describe the molecular and environmental aetiologies of the thymic stromal cell defects known to cause disease in humans, placing particular emphasis on those with a propensity to cause thymic hypoplasia or aplasia and consequently severe congenital immunodeficiency. We discuss the principles underpinning their diagnosis and management, including the use of novel tools to aid in their identification and strategies for curative treatment, principally transplantation of allogeneic thymus tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Y Kreins
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.,Department of Immunology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Stefano Maio
- Developmental Immunology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Fatima Dhalla
- Developmental Immunology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. .,Department of Clinical Immunology, Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford, UK.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Transplantation of cultured postnatal allogeneic thymus has been successful for treating athymia, mostly associated with complete DiGeorge syndrome, for more than 20 years. Advances in molecular genetics provide opportunities for widening the range of athymic conditions that can be treated while advances in cell culture and organ/tissue regeneration may offer the prospect of alternative preparations of thymic tissue. There are potential broader applications of this treatment outside congenital athymia. RECENT FINDINGS At the same time as further characterization of the cultured thymus product in terms of thymic epithelial cells and lymphoid composition, preclinical studies have looked at de-novo generation of thymic epithelial cells from stem cells and explored scaffolds for delivering these as three-dimensional structures. In the era of newborn screening for T-cell lymphopaenia, a broadening range of defects leading to athymia is being recognized and new assays should allow differentiation of these from haematopoietic cell defects, pending their genetic/molecular characterization. Evidence suggests that the tolerogenic effect of transplanted thymus could be exploited to improve outcomes after solid organ transplantation. SUMMARY Thymus transplantation, the accepted standard treatment for complete DiGeorge syndrome is also appropriate for other genetic defects leading to athymia. Improved strategies for generating thymus may lead to better outcomes and broader application of this treatment.
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34
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Bhalla P, Wysocki CA, van Oers NSC. Molecular Insights Into the Causes of Human Thymic Hypoplasia With Animal Models. Front Immunol 2020; 11:830. [PMID: 32431714 PMCID: PMC7214791 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
22q11.2 deletion syndrome (DiGeorge), CHARGE syndrome, Nude/SCID and otofaciocervical syndrome type 2 (OTFCS2) are distinct clinical conditions in humans that can result in hypoplasia and occasionally, aplasia of the thymus. Thymic hypoplasia/aplasia is first suggested by absence or significantly reduced numbers of recent thymic emigrants, revealed in standard-of-care newborn screens for T cell receptor excision circles (TRECs). Subsequent clinical assessments will often indicate whether genetic mutations are causal to the low T cell output from the thymus. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to the thymic hypoplasia/aplasia in diverse human syndromes are not fully understood, partly because the problems of the thymus originate during embryogenesis. Rodent and Zebrafish models of these clinical syndromes have been used to better define the underlying basis of the clinical presentations. Results from these animal models are uncovering contributions of different cell types in the specification, differentiation, and expansion of the thymus. Cell populations such as epithelial cells, mesenchymal cells, endothelial cells, and thymocytes are variably affected depending on the human syndrome responsible for the thymic hypoplasia. In the current review, findings from the diverse animal models will be described in relation to the clinical phenotypes. Importantly, these results are suggesting new strategies for regenerating thymic tissue in patients with distinct congenital disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratibha Bhalla
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Christian A Wysocki
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Nicolai S C van Oers
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.,Department of Microbiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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35
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Vincent M, Karolak JA, Deutsch G, Gambin T, Popek E, Isidor B, Szafranski P, Le Caignec C, Stankiewicz P. Clinical, Histopathological, and Molecular Diagnostics in Lethal Lung Developmental Disorders. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2020; 200:1093-1101. [PMID: 31189067 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201903-0495tr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lethal lung developmental disorders are a rare but important group of pediatric diffuse lung diseases presenting with neonatal respiratory failure. On the basis of histopathological appearance at lung biopsy or autopsy, they have been termed: alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of the pulmonary veins, acinar dysplasia, congenital alveolar dysplasia, and other unspecified primary pulmonary hypoplasias. However, the histopathological continuum in these lethal developmental disorders has made accurate diagnosis challenging, which has implications for recurrence risk. Over the past decade, genetic studies in infants with alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of the pulmonary veins have revealed the causative role of the dosage-sensitive FOXF1 gene and its noncoding regulatory variants in the distant lung-specific enhancer at chromosome 16q24.1. In contrast, the molecular bases of acinar dysplasia and congenital alveolar dysplasia have remained poorly understood. Most recently, disruption of the TBX4-FGF10-FGFR2 epithelial-mesenchymal signaling pathway has been reported in patients with these lethal pulmonary dysplasias. Application of next-generation sequencing techniques, including exome sequencing and whole-genome sequencing, has demonstrated their complex compound inheritance. These data indicate that noncoding regulatory elements play a critical role in lung development in humans. We propose that for more precise lethal lung developmental disorder diagnosis, a diagnostic pathway including whole-genome sequencing should be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Vincent
- Service de Genetique Medicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Nantes, L'institut du Thorax, Nantes, France
| | - Justyna A Karolak
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics and.,Department of Genetics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Gail Deutsch
- Department of Pathology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington
| | - Tomasz Gambin
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics and.,Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, Warsaw, Poland; and.,Institute of Computer Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Edwina Popek
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Bertrand Isidor
- Service de Genetique Medicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Nantes, L'institut du Thorax, Nantes, France
| | | | - Cedric Le Caignec
- Service de Genetique Medicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France
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36
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Karolak JA, Gambin T, Honey EM, Slavik T, Popek E, Stankiewicz P. A de novo 2.2 Mb recurrent 17q23.1q23.2 deletion unmasks novel putative regulatory non-coding SNVs associated with lethal lung hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension: a case report. BMC Med Genomics 2020; 13:34. [PMID: 32143628 PMCID: PMC7060516 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-020-0701-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Application of whole genome sequencing (WGS) enables identification of non-coding variants that play a phenotype-modifying role and are undetectable by exome sequencing. Recently, non-coding regulatory single nucleotide variants (SNVs) have been reported in patients with lethal lung developmental disorders (LLDDs) or congenital scoliosis with recurrent copy-number variant (CNV) deletions at 17q23.1q23.2 or 16p11.2, respectively. CASE PRESENTATION Here, we report a deceased newborn with pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary interstitial emphysema with features suggestive of pulmonary hypoplasia, resulting in respiratory failure and neonatal death soon after birth. Using the array comparative genomic hybridization and WGS, two heterozygous recurrent CNV deletions: ~ 2.2 Mb on 17q23.1q23.2, involving TBX4, and ~ 600 kb on 16p11.2, involving TBX6, that both arose de novo on maternal chromosomes were identified. In the predicted lung-specific enhancer upstream to TBX4, we have detected seven novel putative regulatory non-coding SNVs that were absent in 13 control individuals with the overlapping deletions but without any structural lung anomalies. CONCLUSIONS Our findings further support a recently reported model of complex compound inheritance of LLDD in which both non-coding and coding heterozygous TBX4 variants contribute to the lung phenotype. In addition, this is the first report of a patient with combined de novo heterozygous recurrent 17q23.1q23.2 and 16p11.2 CNV deletions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna A Karolak
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Chair and Department of Genetics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781, Poznan, Poland
| | - Tomasz Gambin
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Institute of Computer Science, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-665, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Engela M Honey
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Tomas Slavik
- Ampath Pathology Laboratories, and Department of Anatomical Pathology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Edwina Popek
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Paweł Stankiewicz
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Thoré P, Girerd B, Jaïs X, Savale L, Ghigna MR, Eyries M, Levy M, Ovaert C, Servettaz A, Guillaumot A, Dauphin C, Chabanne C, Boiffard E, Cottin V, Perros F, Simonneau G, Sitbon O, Soubrier F, Bonnet D, Remy-Jardin M, Chaouat A, Humbert M, Montani D. Phenotype and outcome of pulmonary arterial hypertension patients carrying a TBX4 mutation. Eur Respir J 2020; 55:13993003.02340-2019. [DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02340-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
IntroductionTBX4 mutation causes small patella syndrome (SPS) and/or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The characteristics and outcomes of PAH associated with TBX4 mutations are largely unknown.MethodsWe report the clinical, functional, radiologic, histologic and haemodynamic characteristics and outcomes of heritable PAH patients carrying a TBX4 mutation from the French pulmonary hypertension (PH) network.Results20 patients were identified in 17 families. They were characterised by a median age at diagnosis of 29 years (0–76 years) and a female to male ratio of three. Most of the patients (70%) were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV with a severe haemodynamic impairment (median pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) of 13.6 (6.2–41.8) Wood units). Skeletal signs of SPS were present in 80% of cases. Half of the patients had mild restrictive or obstructive limitation and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) was decreased in all patients. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) showed bronchial abnormalities, peri-bronchial cysts, mosaic distribution and mediastinal lymphadenopathies. PAH therapy was associated with significant clinical improvement. At follow-up (median 76 months), two patients had died and two had undergone lung transplantation. One-year, three-year and five-year event-free survival rates were 100%, 94% and 83%, respectively. Histologic examination of explanted lungs revealed alveolar growth abnormalities, major pulmonary vascular remodelling similar to that observed in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and accumulation of cholesterol crystals within the lung parenchyma.ConclusionPAH due to TBX4 mutations may occur with or without skeletal abnormalities across a broad age range from birth to late adulthood. PAH is usually severe and associated with bronchial and parenchymal abnormalities.
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38
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Bellen HJ, Wangler MF, Yamamoto S. The fruit fly at the interface of diagnosis and pathogenic mechanisms of rare and common human diseases. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:R207-R214. [PMID: 31227826 PMCID: PMC6872428 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster is a unique, powerful genetic model organism for studying a broad range of biological questions. Human studies that probe the genetic causes of rare and undiagnosed diseases using massive-parallel sequencing often require complementary gene function studies to determine if and how rare variants affect gene function. These studies also provide inroads to disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets. In this review we discuss strategies for functional studies of rare human variants in Drosophila. We focus on our experience in establishing a Drosophila core of the Model Organisms Screening Center for the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) and concurrent fly studies with other large genomic rare disease research efforts such as the Centers for Mendelian Genomics. We outline four major strategies that use the latest technology in fly genetics to understand the impact of human variants on gene function. We also mention general concepts in probing disease mechanisms, therapeutics and using rare disease to understand common diseases. Drosophila is and will continue to be a fundamental genetic model to identify new disease-causing variants, pathogenic mechanisms and drugs that will impact medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX , USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX , USA
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, USA
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX , USA
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39
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Hansen AW, Murugan M, Li H, Khayat MM, Wang L, Rosenfeld J, Andrews BK, Jhangiani SN, Coban Akdemir ZH, Sedlazeck FJ, Ashley-Koch AE, Liu P, Muzny DM, Davis EE, Katsanis N, Sabo A, Posey JE, Yang Y, Wangler MF, Eng CM, Sutton VR, Lupski JR, Boerwinkle E, Gibbs RA. A Genocentric Approach to Discovery of Mendelian Disorders. Am J Hum Genet 2019; 105:974-986. [PMID: 31668702 PMCID: PMC6849092 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2019.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The advent of inexpensive, clinical exome sequencing (ES) has led to the accumulation of genetic data from thousands of samples from individuals affected with a wide range of diseases, but for whom the underlying genetic and molecular etiology of their clinical phenotype remains unknown. In many cases, detailed phenotypes are unavailable or poorly recorded and there is little family history to guide study. To accelerate discovery, we integrated ES data from 18,696 individuals referred for suspected Mendelian disease, together with relatives, in an Apache Hadoop data lake (Hadoop Architecture Lake of Exomes [HARLEE]) and implemented a genocentric analysis that rapidly identified 154 genes harboring variants suspected to cause Mendelian disorders. The approach did not rely on case-specific phenotypic classifications but was driven by optimization of gene- and variant-level filter parameters utilizing historical Mendelian disease-gene association discovery data. Variants in 19 of the 154 candidate genes were subsequently reported as causative of a Mendelian trait and additional data support the association of all other candidate genes with disease endpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam W Hansen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mullai Murugan
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - He Li
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michael M Khayat
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Liwen Wang
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jill Rosenfeld
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - B Kim Andrews
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shalini N Jhangiani
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zeynep H Coban Akdemir
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Fritz J Sedlazeck
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Allison E Ashley-Koch
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Pengfei Liu
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Donna M Muzny
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Erica E Davis
- Pediatric Genetic and translational Medicine Center (P-GeM), Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Nicholas Katsanis
- Pediatric Genetic and translational Medicine Center (P-GeM), Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Aniko Sabo
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jennifer E Posey
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yaping Yang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Christine M Eng
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - V Reid Sutton
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - James R Lupski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Eric Boerwinkle
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; School of Public Health, UTHealth, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Richard A Gibbs
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Du Q, Huynh LK, Coskun F, Molina E, King MA, Raj P, Khan S, Dozmorov I, Seroogy CM, Wysocki CA, Padron GT, Yates TR, Markert ML, de la Morena MT, van Oers NS. FOXN1 compound heterozygous mutations cause selective thymic hypoplasia in humans. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:4724-4738. [PMID: 31566583 PMCID: PMC6819092 DOI: 10.1172/jci127565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We report on 2 patients with compound heterozygous mutations in forkhead box N1 (FOXN1), a transcription factor essential for thymic epithelial cell (TEC) differentiation. TECs are critical for T cell development. Both patients had a presentation consistent with T-/loB+NK+ SCID, with normal hair and nails, distinct from the classic nude/SCID phenotype in individuals with autosomal-recessive FOXN1 mutations. To understand the basis of this phenotype and the effects of the mutations on FOXN1, we generated mice using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to genocopy mutations in 1 of the patients. The mice with the Foxn1 compound heterozygous mutations had thymic hypoplasia, causing a T-B+NK+ SCID phenotype, whereas the hair and nails of these mice were normal. Characterization of the functional changes due to the Foxn1 mutations revealed a 5-amino acid segment at the end of the DNA-binding domain essential for the development of TECs but not keratinocytes. The transcriptional activity of this Foxn1 mutant was partly retained, indicating a region that specifies TEC functions. Analysis of an additional 9 FOXN1 mutations identified in multiple unrelated patients revealed distinct functional consequences contingent on the impact of the mutation on the DNA-binding and transactivation domains of FOXN1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiumei Du
- Departments of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Larry K. Huynh
- Departments of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Fatma Coskun
- Departments of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Erika Molina
- Departments of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Matthew A. King
- Departments of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Prithvi Raj
- Departments of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Shaheen Khan
- Departments of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Igor Dozmorov
- Departments of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Christine M. Seroogy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Christian A. Wysocki
- Department of Pediatrics, and
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Grace T. Padron
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | | | - M. Louise Markert
- Department of Pediatrics and
- Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - M. Teresa de la Morena
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, Washington , USA
| | - Nicolai S.C. van Oers
- Departments of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, and
- Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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41
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Bernstock JD, Totten AH, Elkahloun AG, Johnson KR, Hurst AC, Goldman F, Groves AK, Mikhail FM, Atkinson TP. Recurrent microdeletions at chromosome 2p11.2 are associated with thymic hypoplasia and features resembling DiGeorge syndrome. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2019; 145:358-367.e2. [PMID: 31600545 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2019.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thymic hypoplasia/aplasia occurs as a part of DiGeorge syndrome, which has several known genetic causes, and with loss-of-function mutations in forkhead box N1 (FOXN1). OBJECTIVE We sought to determine the cause of selective T-cell lymphopenia with inverted kappa/lambda ratio in several kindreds. METHODS Patients were identified through newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency using the T-cell receptor excision circle assay. Those found to have selective T-cell lymphopenia underwent testing with chromosomal microarray analysis. Three-week-old mice heterozygous for a loss-of-function mutation in forkhead box I3 (FOXI3), a candidate gene within the common deleted region found in patients, were compared with wild-type littermates. Assessments included body and organ weights, flow cytometric analysis of thymocytes and splenocytes, and histologic/transcriptomic analyses of thymic tissue. RESULTS Five kindreds with similar immunophenotypes that included selective T-cell lymphopenia had overlapping microdeletions at chromosome 2p11.2 that spanned FOXI3 and, in most cases, the immunoglobulin kappa light chain locus. Studies in a mouse knockout strain for FOXI3 revealed smaller body weights and relatively lower thymus weights in heterozygous compared with wild-type animals. Histology and flow cytometry on spleens and thymi from 3-week-old pups for T- and B-cell subsets and epithelial cells did not show any significant qualitative or quantitative differences. Transcriptomic analysis of thymic RNA revealed divergence in global transcriptomic signatures, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed predicted dysfunction in epithelial adherens junctions. CONCLUSIONS Microdeletions at chromosome 2p11.2 are associated with T-cell lymphopenia and probable thymic hypoplasia in human subjects, and haploinsufficiency for FOXI3, a candidate gene within the deleted region, is the likely underlying cause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D Bernstock
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala
| | - Arthur H Totten
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala
| | - Abdel G Elkahloun
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Kory R Johnson
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Anna C Hurst
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala
| | - Frederick Goldman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala
| | - Andrew K Groves
- Department of Neuroscience and Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex
| | - Fady M Mikhail
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala
| | - T Prescott Atkinson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala.
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42
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Galambos C, Mullen MP, Shieh JT, Schwerk N, Kielt MJ, Ullmann N, Boldrini R, Stucin-Gantar I, Haass C, Bansal M, Agrawal PB, Johnson J, Peca D, Surace C, Cutrera R, Pauciulo MW, Nichols WC, Griese M, Ivy D, Abman SH, Austin ED, Danhaive O. Phenotype characterisation of TBX4 mutation and deletion carriers with neonatal and paediatric pulmonary hypertension. Eur Respir J 2019; 54:13993003.01965-2018. [PMID: 31151956 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01965-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Rare variants in the T-box transcription factor 4 gene (TBX4) have recently been recognised as an emerging cause of paediatric pulmonary hypertension (PH). Their pathophysiology and contribution to persistent pulmonary hypertension in neonates (PPHN) are unknown. We sought to define the spectrum of clinical manifestations and histopathology associated with TBX4 variants in neonates and children with PH.We assessed clinical data and lung tissue in 19 children with PH, including PPHN, carrying TBX4 rare variants identified by next-generation sequencing and copy number variation arrays.Variants included six 17q23 deletions encompassing the entire TBX4 locus and neighbouring genes, and 12 likely damaging mutations. 10 infants presented with neonatal hypoxic respiratory failure and PPHN, and were subsequently discharged home. PH was diagnosed later in infancy or childhood. Three children died and two required lung transplantation. Associated anomalies included patent ductus arteriosus, septal defects, foot anomalies and developmental disability, the latter with a higher prevalence in deletion carriers. Histology in seven infants showed abnormal distal lung development and pulmonary hypertensive remodelling.TBX4 mutations and 17q23 deletions underlie a new form of developmental lung disease manifesting with severe, often biphasic PH at birth and/or later in infancy and childhood, often associated with skeletal anomalies, cardiac defects, neurodevelopmental disability and other anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csaba Galambos
- Dept of Pathology and Laboratory Services, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.,Contributed equally to this work as joint first authors
| | - Mary P Mullen
- Dept of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital and Pediatrics Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Contributed equally to this work as joint first authors
| | - Joseph T Shieh
- Institute for Human Genetics, Medical Genetics, University of California San Francisco, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nicolaus Schwerk
- Clinic for Pediatric Pulmonology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Matthew J Kielt
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Nicola Ullmann
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Renata Boldrini
- Dept of Laboratory Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Haass
- Division of Neonatology, San Pietro-Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Manish Bansal
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Iowa Children's Hospital, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Pankaj B Agrawal
- Division of Newborn Medicine and Genetics and Genomics, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joyce Johnson
- Dept of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Donatella Peca
- Dept of Laboratory Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Cecilia Surace
- Dept of Laboratory Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Renato Cutrera
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Michael W Pauciulo
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Dept of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - William C Nichols
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Dept of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Matthias Griese
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Dunbar Ivy
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Dept of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Steven H Abman
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Dept of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Eric D Austin
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Olivier Danhaive
- Division of Neonatology, University of California San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA .,Division of Neonatology, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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43
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Harnish JM, Deal SL, Chao HT, Wangler MF, Yamamoto S. In Vivo Functional Study of Disease-associated Rare Human Variants Using Drosophila. J Vis Exp 2019:10.3791/59658. [PMID: 31498321 PMCID: PMC7418855 DOI: 10.3791/59658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in sequencing technology have made whole-genome and whole-exome datasets more accessible for both clinical diagnosis and cutting-edge human genetics research. Although a number of in silico algorithms have been developed to predict the pathogenicity of variants identified in these datasets, functional studies are critical to determining how specific genomic variants affect protein function, especially for missense variants. In the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) and other rare disease research consortia, model organisms (MO) including Drosophila, C. elegans, zebrafish, and mice are actively used to assess the function of putative human disease-causing variants. This protocol describes a method for the functional assessment of rare human variants used in the Model Organisms Screening Center Drosophila Core of the UDN. The workflow begins with gathering human and MO information from multiple public databases, using the MARRVEL web resource to assess whether the variant is likely to contribute to a patient's condition as well as design effective experiments based on available knowledge and resources. Next, genetic tools (e.g., T2A-GAL4 and UAS-human cDNA lines) are generated to assess the functions of variants of interest in Drosophila. Upon development of these reagents, two-pronged functional assays based on rescue and overexpression experiments can be performed to assess variant function. In the rescue branch, the endogenous fly genes are "humanized" by replacing the orthologous Drosophila gene with reference or variant human transgenes. In the overexpression branch, the reference and variant human proteins are exogenously driven in a variety of tissues. In both cases, any scorable phenotype (e.g., lethality, eye morphology, electrophysiology) can be used as a read-out, irrespective of the disease of interest. Differences observed between reference and variant alleles suggest a variant-specific effect, and thus likely pathogenicity. This protocol allows rapid, in vivo assessments of putative human disease-causing variants of genes with known and unknown functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Michael Harnish
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Samantha L Deal
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Hsiao-Tuan Chao
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine;
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44
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Wang J, Liu Z, Bellen HJ, Yamamoto S. Navigating MARRVEL, a Web-Based Tool that Integrates Human Genomics and Model Organism Genetics Information. J Vis Exp 2019:10.3791/59542. [PMID: 31475990 PMCID: PMC7401700 DOI: 10.3791/59542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Through whole-exome/genome sequencing, human geneticists identify rare variants that segregate with disease phenotypes. To assess if a specific variant is pathogenic, one must query many databases to determine whether the gene of interest is linked to a genetic disease, whether the specific variant has been reported before, and what functional data is available in model organism databases that may provide clues about the gene's function in human. MARRVEL (Model organism Aggregated Resources for Rare Variant ExpLoration) is a one-stop data collection tool for human genes and variants and their orthologous genes in seven model organisms including in mouse, rat, zebrafish, fruit fly, nematode worm, fission yeast, and budding yeast. In this Protocol, we provide an overview of what MARRVEL can be used for and discuss how different datasets can be used to assess whether a variant of unknown significance (VUS) in a known disease-causing gene or a variant in a gene of uncertain significance (GUS) may be pathogenic. This protocol will guide a user through searching multiple human databases simultaneously starting with a human gene with or without a variant of interest. We also discuss how to utilize data from OMIM, ExAC/gnomAD, ClinVar, Geno2MP, DGV and DECHIPHER. Moreover, we illustrate how to interpret a list of ortholog candidate genes, expression patterns, and GO terms in model organisms associated with each human gene. Furthermore, we discuss the value protein structural domain annotations provided and explain how to use the multiple species protein alignment feature to assess whether a variant of interest affects an evolutionarily conserved domain or amino acid. Finally, we will discuss three different use-cases of this website. MARRVEL is an easily accessible open access website designed for both clinical and basic researchers and serves as a starting point to design experiments for functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Wang
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine; Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine;
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45
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Karolak JA, Vincent M, Deutsch G, Gambin T, Cogné B, Pichon O, Vetrini F, Mefford HC, Dines JN, Golden-Grant K, Dipple K, Freed AS, Leppig KA, Dishop M, Mowat D, Bennetts B, Gifford AJ, Weber MA, Lee AF, Boerkoel CF, Bartell TM, Ward-Melver C, Besnard T, Petit F, Bache I, Tümer Z, Denis-Musquer M, Joubert M, Martinovic J, Bénéteau C, Molin A, Carles D, André G, Bieth E, Chassaing N, Devisme L, Chalabreysse L, Pasquier L, Secq V, Don M, Orsaria M, Missirian C, Mortreux J, Sanlaville D, Pons L, Küry S, Bézieau S, Liet JM, Joram N, Bihouée T, Scott DA, Brown CW, Scaglia F, Tsai ACH, Grange DK, Phillips JA, Pfotenhauer JP, Jhangiani SN, Gonzaga-Jauregui CG, Chung WK, Schauer GM, Lipson MH, Mercer CL, van Haeringen A, Liu Q, Popek E, Coban Akdemir ZH, Lupski JR, Szafranski P, Isidor B, Le Caignec C, Stankiewicz P. Complex Compound Inheritance of Lethal Lung Developmental Disorders Due to Disruption of the TBX-FGF Pathway. Am J Hum Genet 2019; 104:213-228. [PMID: 30639323 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary defects in lung branching morphogenesis, resulting in neonatal lethal pulmonary hypoplasias, are incompletely understood. To elucidate the pathogenetics of human lung development, we studied a unique collection of samples obtained from deceased individuals with clinically and histopathologically diagnosed interstitial neonatal lung disorders: acinar dysplasia (n = 14), congenital alveolar dysplasia (n = 2), and other lethal lung hypoplasias (n = 10). We identified rare heterozygous copy-number variant deletions or single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) involving TBX4 (n = 8 and n = 2, respectively) or FGF10 (n = 2 and n = 2, respectively) in 16/26 (61%) individuals. In addition to TBX4, the overlapping ∼2 Mb recurrent and nonrecurrent deletions at 17q23.1q23.2 identified in seven individuals with lung hypoplasia also remove a lung-specific enhancer region. Individuals with coding variants involving either TBX4 or FGF10 also harbored at least one non-coding SNV in the predicted lung-specific enhancer region, which was absent in 13 control individuals with the overlapping deletions but without any structural lung anomalies. The occurrence of rare coding variants involving TBX4 or FGF10 with the putative hypomorphic non-coding SNVs implies a complex compound inheritance of these pulmonary hypoplasias. Moreover, they support the importance of TBX4-FGF10-FGFR2 epithelial-mesenchymal signaling in human lung organogenesis and help to explain the histopathological continuum observed in these rare lethal developmental disorders of the lung.
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MESH Headings
- DNA Copy Number Variations/genetics
- Female
- Fibroblast Growth Factor 10/genetics
- Fibroblast Growth Factor 10/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Gestational Age
- Humans
- Infant, Newborn
- Infant, Newborn, Diseases/genetics
- Infant, Newborn, Diseases/metabolism
- Infant, Newborn, Diseases/mortality
- Infant, Newborn, Diseases/pathology
- Lung/embryology
- Lung/growth & development
- Lung Diseases/genetics
- Lung Diseases/metabolism
- Lung Diseases/mortality
- Lung Diseases/pathology
- Male
- Maternal Inheritance
- Organogenesis
- Paternal Inheritance
- Pedigree
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics
- Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/genetics
- T-Box Domain Proteins/genetics
- T-Box Domain Proteins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna A Karolak
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Genetics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
| | - Marie Vincent
- Service de Génétique Médicale, CHU de Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France; Inserm, CNRS, Univ Nantes, l'institut du thorax, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Gail Deutsch
- Department of Pathology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Tomasz Gambin
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland; Institute of Computer Science, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-665 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Benjamin Cogné
- Service de Génétique Médicale, CHU de Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France; Inserm, CNRS, Univ Nantes, l'institut du thorax, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Olivier Pichon
- Service de Génétique Médicale, CHU de Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France
| | | | - Heather C Mefford
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetic Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jennifer N Dines
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetic Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Katie Golden-Grant
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Katrina Dipple
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetic Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Division of Genetic Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Amanda S Freed
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetic Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Kathleen A Leppig
- Genetic Services Kaiser Permanente of Washington, Seattle, WA 98112, USA
| | - Megan Dishop
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA
| | - David Mowat
- Centre for Clinical Genetics, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick Sydney, NSW 2031 Australia; School of Women's and Children's Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Bruce Bennetts
- Discipline of Child & Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Molecular Genetics Department, Western Sydney Genetics Program, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia; Discipline of Genetic Medicine, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Andrew J Gifford
- School of Women's and Children's Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Department of Anatomical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Martin A Weber
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Anna F Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Cornelius F Boerkoel
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Tina M Bartell
- Department of Genetics, Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95815, USA
| | | | - Thomas Besnard
- Service de Génétique Médicale, CHU de Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France; Inserm, CNRS, Univ Nantes, l'institut du thorax, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Florence Petit
- Service de Génétique Clinique, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Iben Bache
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 N Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Genetics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Ø Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Zeynep Tümer
- Kennedy Center, Department of Clinical Genetics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2600 Glostrup, Copenhagen, Denmark; Deparment of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 N, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Jelena Martinovic
- Unit of Fetal Pathology, AP-HP, Antoine Beclere Hospital, 75000 Paris, France
| | - Claire Bénéteau
- Service de Génétique Médicale, CHU de Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France; Inserm, CNRS, Univ Nantes, l'institut du thorax, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Arnaud Molin
- Service de Génétique Médicale, CHU Caen, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Dominique Carles
- Service d'anatomo-pathologie, CHU Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Gwenaelle André
- Service d'anatomo-pathologie, CHU Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Eric Bieth
- Service de génétique médicale, CHU Toulouse, France and UDEAR, UMR 1056 Inserm - Université de Toulouse, 31000 Toulouse, France
| | - Nicolas Chassaing
- Service de génétique médicale, CHU Toulouse, France and UDEAR, UMR 1056 Inserm - Université de Toulouse, 31000 Toulouse, France
| | | | | | | | - Véronique Secq
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, Hôpital Nord, Service d'anatomo-pathologie, 13000 Marseille, France
| | - Massimiliano Don
- Sant'Antonio General Hospital, Pediatric Care Unit, San Daniele del Friuli, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Maria Orsaria
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, Pathology Unit, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Chantal Missirian
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, MMG, Marseille, Timone Hospital, 13000 Marseille, France
| | - Jérémie Mortreux
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, MMG, Marseille, Timone Hospital, 13000 Marseille, France
| | - Damien Sanlaville
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, GHE, Genetics department, and Lyon University, 69000 Lyon, France
| | - Linda Pons
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, GHE, Genetics department, and Lyon University, 69000 Lyon, France
| | - Sébastien Küry
- Service de Génétique Médicale, CHU de Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France; Inserm, CNRS, Univ Nantes, l'institut du thorax, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Stéphane Bézieau
- Service de Génétique Médicale, CHU de Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France; Inserm, CNRS, Univ Nantes, l'institut du thorax, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Jean-Michel Liet
- Service de réanimation pédiatrique, CHU Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Nicolas Joram
- Service de réanimation pédiatrique, CHU Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France
| | | | - Daryl A Scott
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Chester W Brown
- Department of Pediatrics, Genetics Division, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Fernando Scaglia
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Joint BCM-CUHK Center of Medical Genetics, Prince of Wales Hospital, ShaTin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Anne Chun-Hui Tsai
- Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Dorothy K Grange
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - John A Phillips
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jean P Pfotenhauer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Shalini N Jhangiani
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Wendy K Chung
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Galen M Schauer
- Department of Pathology, Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, Oakland, CA 94611, USA
| | - Mark H Lipson
- Department of Genetics, Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95815, USA
| | - Catherine L Mercer
- Wessex Clinical Genetics Service, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton SO16 5YA, UK
| | - Arie van Haeringen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Qian Liu
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Edwina Popek
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zeynep H Coban Akdemir
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - James R Lupski
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Przemyslaw Szafranski
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Bertrand Isidor
- Service de Génétique Médicale, CHU de Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France; Inserm, CNRS, Univ Nantes, l'institut du thorax, 44000 Nantes, France
| | | | - Paweł Stankiewicz
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Baylor Genetics, Houston, TX 77021, USA; Institute of Mother and Child, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland.
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46
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Deal SL, Yamamoto S. Unraveling Novel Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration Through a Large-Scale Forward Genetic Screen in Drosophila. Front Genet 2019; 9:700. [PMID: 30693015 PMCID: PMC6339878 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration is characterized by progressive loss of neurons. Genetic and environmental factors both contribute to demise of neurons, leading to diverse devastating cognitive and motor disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases in humans. Over the past few decades, the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has become an integral tool to understand the molecular, cellular and genetic mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration. Extensive tools and sophisticated technologies allow Drosophila geneticists to identify and study evolutionarily conserved genes that are essential for neural maintenance. In this review, we will focus on a large-scale mosaic forward genetic screen on the fly X-chromosome that led to the identification of a number of essential genes that exhibit neurodegenerative phenotypes when mutated. Most genes identified from this screen are evolutionarily conserved and many have been linked to human diseases with neurological presentations. Systematic electrophysiological and ultrastructural characterization of mutant tissue in the context of the Drosophila visual system, followed by a series of experiments to understand the mechanism of neurodegeneration in each mutant led to the discovery of novel molecular pathways that are required for neuronal integrity. Defects in mitochondrial function, lipid and iron metabolism, protein trafficking and autophagy are recurrent themes, suggesting that insults that eventually lead to neurodegeneration may converge on a set of evolutionarily conserved cellular processes. Insights from these studies have contributed to our understanding of known neurodegenerative diseases such as Leigh syndrome and Friedreich's ataxia and have also led to the identification of new human diseases. By discovering new genes required for neural maintenance in flies and working with clinicians to identify patients with deleterious variants in the orthologous human genes, Drosophila biologists can play an active role in personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Deal
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
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47
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Zhang RR, Cai K, Liu L, Yang Q, Zhang P, Gui YH, Wang F. A regulatory variant in TBX2 promoter is related to the decreased susceptibility of congenital heart disease in the Han Chinese population. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2018; 7:e00530. [PMID: 30525309 PMCID: PMC6393683 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tbx2 plays a vital role in the cardiac cushion development. In this study, we aimed to determine the relationship between common genetic variants in the promoter region of TBX2 gene and the risk of congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods Blood samples of 516 CHD patients and 587 control subjects were enrolled. Sanger sequencing and SNaPshot analysis were performed for genotyping in our case–control cohort. Luciferase and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) were conducted to uncover the potential modulatory mechanism of the related variants. Results Variant rs4455026(c.‐1028G>C) in TBX2 promoter region was found to be associated with significantly lower CHD susceptibility. The risk of CHD in C allele carriers (GC and CC genotypes) decreased by 30% compared to the wild‐type GG genotype subjects (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.55–0.89, p = 0.0038). It was revealed that G to C variation resulted in a decrease in the transcriptional activity of luciferase gene, and a potential change in binding affinity with certain nucleoproteins in EMSA data. Conclusion The minor C allele of rs4455026 in TBX2 promoter region was related with lower CHD susceptibility in the Han Chinese population via repressing its transcriptional activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran-Ran Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Pediatrics, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ke Cai
- Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lian Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Hao Gui
- Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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48
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Marcogliese PC, Shashi V, Spillmann RC, Stong N, Rosenfeld JA, Koenig MK, Martínez-Agosto JA, Herzog M, Chen AH, Dickson PI, Lin HJ, Vera MU, Salamon N, Graham JM, Ortiz D, Infante E, Steyaert W, Dermaut B, Poppe B, Chung HL, Zuo Z, Lee PT, Kanca O, Xia F, Yang Y, Smith EC, Jasien J, Kansagra S, Spiridigliozzi G, El-Dairi M, Lark R, Riley K, Koeberl DD, Golden-Grant K, Yamamoto S, Wangler MF, Mirzaa G, Hemelsoet D, Lee B, Nelson SF, Goldstein DB, Bellen HJ, Pena LDM. IRF2BPL Is Associated with Neurological Phenotypes. Am J Hum Genet 2018; 103:245-260. [PMID: 30057031 PMCID: PMC6081494 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Interferon regulatory factor 2 binding protein-like (IRF2BPL) encodes a member of the IRF2BP family of transcriptional regulators. Currently the biological function of this gene is obscure, and the gene has not been associated with a Mendelian disease. Here we describe seven individuals who carry damaging heterozygous variants in IRF2BPL and are affected with neurological symptoms. Five individuals who carry IRF2BPL nonsense variants resulting in a premature stop codon display severe neurodevelopmental regression, hypotonia, progressive ataxia, seizures, and a lack of coordination. Two additional individuals, both with missense variants, display global developmental delay and seizures and a relatively milder phenotype than those with nonsense alleles. The IRF2BPL bioinformatics signature based on population genomics is consistent with a gene that is intolerant to variation. We show that the fruit-fly IRF2BPL ortholog, called pits (protein interacting with Ttk69 and Sin3A), is broadly detected, including in the nervous system. Complete loss of pits is lethal early in development, whereas partial knockdown with RNA interference in neurons leads to neurodegeneration, revealing a requirement for this gene in proper neuronal function and maintenance. The identified IRF2BPL nonsense variants behave as severe loss-of-function alleles in this model organism, and ectopic expression of the missense variants leads to a range of phenotypes. Taken together, our results show that IRF2BPL and pits are required in the nervous system in humans and flies, and their loss leads to a range of neurological phenotypes in both species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C Marcogliese
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Vandana Shashi
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Rebecca C Spillmann
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Nicholas Stong
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jill A Rosenfeld
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mary Kay Koenig
- Division of Child & Adolescent Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Julián A Martínez-Agosto
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Matthew Herzog
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Agnes H Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Patricia I Dickson
- Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Henry J Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Moin U Vera
- Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Noriko Salamon
- Department of Radiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - John M Graham
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Damara Ortiz
- Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Elena Infante
- Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Wouter Steyaert
- Department of Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart Dermaut
- Department of Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bruce Poppe
- Department of Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hyung-Lok Chung
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhongyuan Zuo
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Pei-Tseng Lee
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Oguz Kanca
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Fan Xia
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yaping Yang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Edward C Smith
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Joan Jasien
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Sujay Kansagra
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Gail Spiridigliozzi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Mays El-Dairi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Robert Lark
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kacie Riley
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Dwight D Koeberl
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Katie Golden-Grant
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ghayda Mirzaa
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Dimitri Hemelsoet
- Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Brendan Lee
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Stanley F Nelson
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - David B Goldstein
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Loren D M Pena
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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49
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Oriel C, Lasko P. Recent Developments in Using Drosophila as a Model for Human Genetic Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E2041. [PMID: 30011838 PMCID: PMC6073706 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19072041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Many insights into human disease have been built on experimental results in Drosophila, and research in fruit flies is often justified on the basis of its predictive value for questions related to human health. Additionally, there is now a growing recognition of the value of Drosophila for the study of rare human genetic diseases, either as a means of validating the causative nature of a candidate genetic variant found in patients, or as a means of obtaining functional information about a novel disease-linked gene when there is little known about it. For these reasons, funders in the US, Europe, and Canada have launched targeted programs to link human geneticists working on discovering new rare disease loci with researchers who work on the counterpart genes in Drosophila and other model organisms. Several of these initiatives are described here, as are a number of output publications that validate this new approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Oriel
- Maternal Infant Child Youth and Research Network, V2-230, 950 West 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada.
| | - Paul Lasko
- Department of Biology, McGill University, 3649 Promenade Sir-William-Osler, Montreal, QC H3G 0B1, Canada.
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