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Blomfield AK, Maurya M, Bora K, Pavlovich MC, Yemanyi F, Huang S, Fu Z, O’Connell AE, Chen J. Ectopic Rod Photoreceptor Development in Mice with Genetic Deficiency of WNT2B. Cells 2023; 12:1033. [PMID: 37048106 PMCID: PMC10093714 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071033] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling is essential for embryonic eye development in both the anterior eye and retina. WNT2B, a ligand and activator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, assists in the development of the lens and peripheral regions of the eye. In humans WNT2B mutations are associated with coloboma and WNT2B may also assist in retinal progenitor cell differentiation in chicken, yet the potential role of WNT2B in retinal neuronal development is understudied. This study explored the effects of WNT2B on retinal neuronal and vascular formation using systemic Wnt2b knockout (KO) mice generated by crossing Wnt2bflox/flox (fl/fl) mice with CMV-cre mice. Wnt2b KO eyes exhibited relatively normal anterior segments and retinal vasculature. Ectopic formation of rod photoreceptor cells in the subretinal space was observed in Wnt2b KO mice as early as one week postnatally and persisted through nine-month-old mice. Other retinal neuronal layers showed normal organization in both thickness and lamination, without detectable signs of retinal thinning. The presence of abnormal photoreceptor genesis was also observed in heterozygous Wnt2b mice, and occasionally in wild type mice with decreased Wnt2b expression levels. Expression of Wnt2b was found to be enriched in the retinal pigment epithelium compared with whole retina. Together these findings suggest that WNT2B is potentially involved in rod photoreceptor genesis during eye development; however, potential influence by a yet unknown genetic factor is also possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra K. Blomfield
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Meenakshi Maurya
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kiran Bora
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Madeline C. Pavlovich
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Felix Yemanyi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shuo Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zhongjie Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Amy E. O’Connell
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Lu F, Xu X, Zheng B, Wang C, Zhou W, Tang J, Zhao X. Case report: Expansion of phenotypic and genotypic data in TENM3-related syndrome: Report of two cases. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1111771. [PMID: 36911040 PMCID: PMC9998998 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1111771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Biallelic TENM3 variants were recently reported to cause non-syndromic microphthalmia with coloboma-9 (MCOPCB9) and microphthalmia and/or coloboma with developmental delay (MCOPS15). To date, only eight syndromic and non-syndromic microphthalmia cases with recessive TENM3 variants have been reported. Herein, we report two unrelated new cases with biallelic variants in TENM3, widening the molecular and clinical spectrum. Regarding patient 1, WES revealed compound heterozygous variants in the TENM3 gene: c.3847_3855del; p.Leu1283_Ser1285del and c.3698_3699insA; p.Thr1233Thrfs*20 in the index patient, who was presenting with bilateral microphthalmia, congenital cataract, microcephaly, and global developmental delay. Regarding patient 2, compound missense heterozygous variants in the TENM3 gene were identified: c.941C > T; p.Ala314Val and c.6464T > C; p.Leu2155Pro in the 3-year-old boy, who presented with congenital esotropia, speech delay, and motor developmental delay. The clinical features of these two cases revealed high concordance with the previously reported cases, including microphthalmia and developmental delay. The presence of microcephaly in our patient potentially expands the neurologic phenotype associated with loss of function variants in TENM3, as microcephaly has not previously been described. Furthermore, we present evidence that missense variants in TENM3 are associated with similar, but milder, ocular features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Lu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Xu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bixia Zheng
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunli Wang
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian Tang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoke Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Zhang R, Jia P, Yao Y, Zhu F. Case Report: Identification of a novel CASK missense variant in a Chinese family with MICPCH. Front Genet 2022; 13:933785. [PMID: 36092876 PMCID: PMC9452731 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.933785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mental retardation and microcephaly with pontine and cerebellar hypoplasia (MICPCH) is a rare genetic disorder that results in varying levels of pontocerebellar hypoplasia, microcephaly, and severe intellectual disabilities. Prior genetic analyses have identified the CASK gene as a driver of MICPCH. Herein, we analyzed a Chinese family with MICPCH. The index patient was an 8-year-old male. He and his 3-year-old brother suffered from microcephaly, pontocerebellar hypoplasia, serious mental retardation, ataxia, gait disorder, and inability to speak. Through a combination of whole-exome sequencing and subsequent Sanger sequencing, a novel X-linked missense mutation, c.1882G>C (p.D628H) in the CASK gene, was identified in two siblings, as well as their mother and grandmother, who exhibited mild mental retardation. Other family members with negative genetic testing were normal. In silico analyses indicated that this missense mutation was predicted to reduce CASK protein stability, disrupt the SRC homology 3 (SH3) domain, and abolish its function. In summary, we identified a novel missense variate in CASK associated with MICPCH. Our work facilitates the diagnosis of the disease in this family and broadens the gene variant spectrum of the CASK in MICPCH patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runfeng Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi, China
| | - Peng Jia
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanyi Yao
- Medical Genetic Center, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Feng Zhu, ; Yanyi Yao,
| | - Feng Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Clinic Center of Human Gene Research, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Feng Zhu, ; Yanyi Yao,
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Zhang G, Kang L, Li P, Ran Q, Chen X, Ji M, Guan H. Genome-wide repertoire of transfer RNA-derived fragments in a mouse model of age-related cataract. Curr Eye Res 2022; 47:1397-1404. [PMID: 35930684 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2022.2110263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the roles of tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) containing transfer RNA-derived fragments (tRFs) and tRNA halves in age-related cataract (ARC). Methods: Lens capsule tissue from Emory mice at 3 months and 8 months of age were dissected for integrated tsRNA and gene transcriptome sequencing. Quantitative real-time PCR assay (qRT-PCR) was perform for validating sequencing results. Bioinformatics analysis was constructed to reveal the roles of tsRNAs. Results: A total of 422 DE tsRNAs were changed, in which 156 were elevated while 266 were declined in 8-month-old mice. Subsequently, the gene sequencing data exhibited 375 upregulated and 456 downregulated DE genes. Validation by qRT-PCR in 5 selected upregulated tRFs was consistent with tsRNAs sequencing results. Moreover, bioinformatics analysis identified 25 downregulated target genes of the 5 validated tRFs. Furthermore, GO analysis revealed that these target genes were mainly enriched in camera-type eye development, sensory organ development and so on. Conclusion: Our study provide a novel perspective for the role of tsRNAs in pathogenesis of ARC, and thus therapeutic potential targets for ARC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guowei Zhang
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lihua Kang
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Pengfei Li
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiliang Ran
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Min Ji
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huaijin Guan
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
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Disatham J, Brennan L, Jiao X, Ma Z, Hejtmancik JF, Kantorow M. Changes in DNA methylation hallmark alterations in chromatin accessibility and gene expression for eye lens differentiation. Epigenetics Chromatin 2022; 15:8. [PMID: 35246225 PMCID: PMC8897925 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-022-00440-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Methylation at cytosines (mCG) is a well-known regulator of gene expression, but its requirements for cellular differentiation have yet to be fully elucidated. A well-studied cellular differentiation model system is the eye lens, consisting of a single anterior layer of epithelial cells that migrate laterally and differentiate into a core of fiber cells. Here, we explore the genome-wide relationships between mCG methylation, chromatin accessibility and gene expression during differentiation of eye lens epithelial cells into fiber cells. Results Whole genome bisulfite sequencing identified 7621 genomic loci exhibiting significant differences in mCG levels between lens epithelial and fiber cells. Changes in mCG levels were inversely correlated with the differentiation state-specific expression of 1285 genes preferentially expressed in either lens fiber or lens epithelial cells (Pearson correlation r = − 0.37, p < 1 × 10–42). mCG levels were inversely correlated with chromatin accessibility determined by assay for transposase-accessible sequencing (ATAC-seq) (Pearson correlation r = − 0.86, p < 1 × 10–300). Many of the genes exhibiting altered regions of DNA methylation, chromatin accessibility and gene expression levels in fiber cells relative to epithelial cells are associated with lens fiber cell structure, homeostasis and transparency. These include lens crystallins (CRYBA4, CRYBB1, CRYGN, CRYBB2), lens beaded filament proteins (BFSP1, BFSP2), transcription factors (HSF4, SOX2, HIF1A), and Notch signaling pathway members (NOTCH1, NOTCH2, HEY1, HES5). Analysis of regions exhibiting cell-type specific alterations in DNA methylation revealed an overrepresentation of consensus sequences of multiple transcription factors known to play key roles in lens cell differentiation including HIF1A, SOX2, and the MAF family of transcription factors. Conclusions Collectively, these results link DNA methylation with control of chromatin accessibility and gene expression changes required for eye lens differentiation. The results also point to a role for DNA methylation in the regulation of transcription factors previously identified to be important for lens cell differentiation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13072-022-00440-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Disatham
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - Lisa Brennan
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - Xiaodong Jiao
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zhiwei Ma
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - J Fielding Hejtmancik
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marc Kantorow
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
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Gholami Yarahmadi S, Sarlaki F, Morovvati S. Novel mutation in TENM3 gene in an Iranian patient with colobomatous microphthalmia. Clin Case Rep 2022; 10:e05532. [PMID: 35280100 PMCID: PMC8905136 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.5532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This investigation revealed a homozygous c.5069-1G>C variation in TENM3 gene although has not been reported for its pathogenicity and can be considered as a novel mutation. The present finding can be used for genetic diagnosis and detection of carriers in the family and other patients with similar disease manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Saeid Morovvati
- School of Advanced Sciences and TechnologyIslamic Azad University‐Tehran Medical SciencesTehranIran
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Contribution of WNT2B Genetic Variants to Ischemic Stroke Occurrence in a Chinese Han Population. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2021; 78:e128-e135. [PMID: 34009855 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000001032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Wnt signaling pathway-related WNT2B gene was upregulated in ischemic brain damage. We aimed to assess the contribution of WNT2B genetic variant to ischemic stroke (IS) susceptibility in the Chinese Han population. Five polymorphisms including rs3790606, rs351364, rs3790608, rs12037987, and rs10776752 in WNT2B were genotyped using Agena MassARRAY platform in 476 healthy controls and 501 patients with IS. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) adjusted for age and gender were estimated by logistic regression analysis. Analysis of variance was used to evaluate the association between genotypes of WNT2B variants and blood lipid parameters. Rs12037987 (OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.18-2.82, P = 0.007) and rs10776752 (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.13-2.68, P = 0.012) were related to the increased IS susceptibility. Interestingly, rs12037987 (OR = 2.01, P = 0.028) and rs10776752 (OR = 2.02, P = 0.028) had the higher IS risk in the subjects younger than or equal to 65 years. Rs12037987 (OR = 2.70, P = 0.013), rs10776752 (OR = 2.71, P = 0.012), and rs3790606 (OR = 1.89, P = 0.036) manifested an increasing-risk association with IS occurrence in women. Moreover, rs3790606 genotype was related to serum levels of triglyceride (P = 0.008) and total cholesterol (P = 0.001). Our study reported that rs12037987 and rs10776752 were associated with the increased risk for IS in the Chinese Han population. Our findings may be useful for insight into the contribution of WNT2B variants to the complex pathogenesis of IS.
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