A novel nonsense mutation in theCDSNgene underlying hypotrichosis simplex of the scalp in a Chinese family

A novel pathogenic variant in the corneodesmosin gene causing generalized inflammatory peeling skin syndrome with marked eosinophilia and trichorrhexis invaginata

Generalized inflammatory peeling skin syndrome (PSS) is a rare autosomal recessive genodermatosis caused by loss-of-function disease-causing variants of the corneodesmosin gene (CDSN), resulting in excessive shedding of the superficial layers of the epidermis. We describe a case of generalized inflammatory PSS in an infant, presenting at day two of life with ichthyosiform erythroderma and superficial peeling of the skin. Hair microscopy showed trichorrhexis invaginata. Normal amounts of skin LEKT1, a product of SPINK5 on immunohistochemical staining excluded a diagnosis of Netherton syndrome. Genetic analysis revealed a homozygous novel complete CDSN deletion, estimated 4.6 kb in size, supporting the diagnosis of generalized inflammatory PSS.

Integrative Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals Candidate Biomarkers for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. Due to the lack of early detection and treatment, the survival rate of OSCC remains poor and the incidence of OSCC has not decreased during the past decades. To explore potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for OSCC, we analyzed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with OSCC using RNA sequencing technology. Methylation-regulated and differentially expressed genes (MeDEGs) of OSCC were further identified via an integrative approach by examining publicly available methylomic datasets together with our transcriptomic data. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of MeDEGs were constructed and highly connected hub MeDEGs were identified from these PPI networks. Subsequently, expression and survival analyses of hub genes were performed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) online tool. A total of 56 upregulated MeDEGs and 170 downregulated MeDEGs were identified in OSCC. Eleven hub genes with high degree of connectivity were picked out from the PPI networks constructed by those MeDEGs. Among them, the expression level of four hub genes (CTLA4, CDSN, ACTN2, and MYH11) were found to be significantly changed in the head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSC) patients. Three hypomethylated hub genes (CTLA4, GPR29, and TNFSF11) and one hypermethylated hub gene (ISL1) were found to be significantly associated with overall survival (OS) of HNSC patients. Therefore, these hub genes may serve as potential DNA methylation biomarkers and therapeutic targets of OSCC.

Mutations in the CDSN gene cause peeling skin disease and hypotrichosis simplex of the scalp

Peeling skin disease is a rare genodermatosis characterized by superficial exfoliation or peeling of the skin. Peeling skin disease is caused by biallelic mutations in CDSN as an autosomal recessive trait. Monoallelic mutations in CDSN have also been described in an autosomal dominant inherited genodermatosis: hypotrichosis simplex of the scalp. This disease is characterized by progressive hair loss of the scalp with onset after early childhood. Clinical data were obtained from a patient with lifelong generalized skin peeling and both his parents. The patient's parents did not suffer from skin peeling, but the mother had a history of thin scalp hair since early childhood. Mutation analysis in the patient showed compound heterozygous mutations in exon 2 of CDSN, a nonsense mutation c.598C>T (p.[Gln200*]), previously associated with hypotrichosis simplex of the scalp, and a frame‐shift mutation c.164_167dup (p.[Thr57Profs*6]), previously described in peeling skin disease. The p.(Gln200*) mutation was also found in the mother of the proband. Our study strengthens the previously established link between mutations in CDSN to peeling skin disease and hypotrichosis simplex of the scalp.

Inherited desmosomal disorders

Desmosomes serve as intercellular junctions in various tissues including the skin and the heart where they play a crucial role in cell-cell adhesion, signalling and differentiation. The desmosomes connect the cell surface to the keratin cytoskeleton and are composed of a transmembranal part consisting mainly of desmosomal cadherins, armadillo proteins and desmoplakin, which form the intracytoplasmic desmosomal plaque. Desmosomal genodermatoses are caused by mutations in genes encoding the various desmosomal components. They are characterized by skin, hair and cardiac manifestations occurring in diverse combinations. Their classification into a separate and distinct clinical group not only recognizes their common pathogenesis and facilitates their diagnosis but might also in the future form the basis for the design of novel and targeted therapies for these occasionally life-threatening diseases.