Epidermolysis bullosa simplex: identification of a kindred with autosomal recessive transmission of the Weber-Cockayne variety

Kinase Inhibition by PKC412 Prevents Epithelial Sheet Damage in Autosomal Dominant Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex through Keratin and Cell Contact Stabilization

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) is a severe and potentially life-threatening disorder for which no adequate therapy exists. Most cases are caused by dominant sequence variations in keratin genes K5 or K14, leading to the formation of cytoplasmic keratin aggregates, profound keratinocyte fragility, and cytolysis. We hypothesized that pharmacological reduction of keratin aggregates, which compromise keratinocyte integrity, represents a viable strategy for the treatment of EBS. In this study, we show that the multikinase inhibitor PKC412, which is currently in clinical use for acute myeloid leukemia and advanced systemic mastocytosis, reduced keratin aggregation by 40% in patient-derived K14.R125C EBS-associated keratinocytes. Using a combination of epithelial shear stress assay and real-time impedance spectroscopy, we show that PKC412 restored intercellular adhesion. Molecularly, global phosphoproteomic analysis together with immunoblots using phosphoepitope-specific antibodies revealed that PKC412 treatment altered phosphorylated sites on keratins and desmoplakin. Thus, our data provide a proof of concept to repurpose existing drugs for the targeted treatment of EBS and showcase how one broad-range kinase inhibitor reduced keratin filament aggregation in patient-derived EBS keratinocytes and the fragility of EBS cell monolayers. Our study paves the way for a clinical trial using PKC412 for systemic or local application in patients with EBS.

Partial dominance of a keratin 14 mutation in epidermolysis bullosa simplex--increased severity of disease in a homozygote

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex is a disease in which keratin gene mutations cause the production of defective intermediate filaments, which leads in turn to epidermal basal cell fragility and blistering. The inheritance in nearly all kindreds is autosomal dominant, most kindreds have missense mutations, and the encoded proteins appear to exert a dominant negative function. One previously reported patient with generalized blistering had a fully dominant mutation of keratin 5; in that kindred a homozygote was affected no more severely than the heterozygotes. By contrast we report here a keratin 14 mutation that causes blistering limited to the hands and feet in heterozygotes, but homozygotes have more severe, widespread blistering of the skin and mucous membranes. Thus keratin gene mutations may be not only fully recessive or fully dominant but also partially dominant as well.

The National Epidermolysis Bullosa Registry

Since its inception in 1986, the NEBR has proved to be an excellent example of how a relatively small allocation of federal research funds for the development of a registry of cases of a single rare disease can have a major impact on the rapid expansion in the depth of knowledge of not only the disease itself but of a number of associated biologic principles, including keratinization and epithelial cell-extracellular matrix interactions. At present, the NEBR is generating extensive clinical, laboratory, and demographic data, both from cross-sectional and longitudinal perspectives, as well as establishing a centralized cell and tissue bank that will serve the scientific community at large as a valuable resource for future basic research on this oftentimes devastating genetic disease.

A keratin 14 mutational hot spot for epidermolysis bullosa simplex, Dowling-Meara: implications for diagnosis

Recently, two patients with the Dowling-Meara subtype of epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS-DM) were reported with different mutations in codon 125 of the keratin 14 gene. To determine whether these are common mutations, we screened ten EBS-DM patients and their families using single nucleotide primer extension. Four of ten unrelated EBS-DM patients had a G-->A substitution at base pair 434 of codon 125, whereas one case out of ten had a C-->T substitution at position 433 of the same codon. The G434A alteration cosegregated with the disorder in two multigenerational families; no recombination events were detected. In these two families, linkage analysis provided significant evidence in favor of linkage between G434A and the EBS-DM phenotype, with a LOD score of 3.29 at a recombination rate of 0%. Codon 125 substitutions identified in three unrelated sporadic EBS-DM patients were not found in their clinically unaffected parents. Together, these data provide compelling genetic evidence that the codon 125 substitutions are causal for EBS-DM. The high frequency of mutation at this site in individuals with EBS-DM now makes DNA-based diagnosis of this disorder feasible.

A missense mutation in the rod domain of keratin 14 associated with recessive epidermolysis bullosa simplex

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) is a group of epidermal blistering diseases almost invariably transmitted as a dominant trait, which has recently been shown to arise from mutations in keratins 14 and 5 (K14 and K5). We describe a family with recessive EBS in which the disease is tightly linked to the substitution of the highly conserved glutamic acid-144 to alanine in the first helical segment of the rod domain of keratin 14. In contrast, linkage with keratin 5 was excluded. The loss of an ionic interaction with keratin 5 is likely to affect K14-K5 heterodimer formation. Our data suggest that this mutation underlies EBS in our family, and that mutations in keratin genes may impair the mechanical integrity of basal keratinocytes in a recessive as well as dominant fashion.

Point mutations in human keratin 14 genes of epidermolysis bullosa simplex patients: genetic and functional analyses

Previously we demonstrated that transgenic mice expressing mutant basal epidermal keratin genes exhibited a phenotype resembling a group of autosomal dominant human skin disorders known as epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS). EBS diseases affect approximately 1: 50,000 and are of unknown etiology, although all subtypes exhibit blistering arising from basal cell cytolysis. We now demonstrate that two patients with spontaneous cases of Dowling-Meara EBS have point mutations in a critical region in one (K14) of two basal keratin genes. To demonstrate function, we engineered one of these point mutations in a cloned human K14 cDNA, and showed that a K14 with an Arg-125----Cys mutation disrupted keratin network formation in transfected keratinocytes and perturbed filament assembly in vitro. Since we had previously shown that keratin network perturbation is an essential component of EBS diseases, these data suggest that the basis for the phenotype in this patient resides in this point mutation.

Oral soft tissues in hereditary epidermolysis bullosa

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is associated with diverse oral manifestations, which can potentially involve both hard and soft tissues, depending on the specific EB subtype. This study determined the frequency and extent of oral soft tissue involvement in the inherited forms of EB. Examination of 216 affected persons revealed significant differences in the oral soft tissue involvement among the various types of EB. The frequency of oral involvement was greater in the dominant dystrophic (81.1%) and simplex (generalized, 58.6%; localized, 34.7%) types than previously reported. The marked frequency of oral blistering was similar in both major subtypes of junctional (Herlitz, 83.3%; non-Herlitz, 91.6%) and recessive dystrophic EB (generalized, 100%; localized, 92.3%). Obliteration of the oral vestibule, ankyloglossia, and microstomia were consistent findings in generalized recessive dystrophic EB. Oral milia were present in all major EB categories, most prevalently in the dystrophic forms, but were not seen in all the distinct EB subtypes. These findings indicate that although there are no pathognomonic intraoral soft tissue manifestations in the various forms of inherited EB, there are predictable patterns of involvement associated with specific subtypes of this disease. Understanding the oral involvement associated with EB may aid clinicians in the development of more advanced therapeutic approaches that are compatible with and directed at the unique characteristics of each EB subtype.

Revised clinical and laboratory criteria for subtypes of inherited epidermolysis bullosa. A consensus report by the Subcommittee on Diagnosis and Classification of the National Epidermolysis Bullosa Registry

Inherited epidermolysis bullosa encompasses a number of diseases, with the common finding of blister formation after minor mechanical trauma to the skin. In some forms significant, if not eventually fatal, extracutaneous disease activity may occur. In recent years application of newer technologies has contributed substantially to an overall understanding of this collection of inherited diseases. Concurrently, many new phenotypes have been recognized, in part the result of ongoing prospective patient registries in the United States and abroad. Unfortunately, this has resulted in a massive literature that may appear to be confounded by seemingly excessive or arbitrary subdivision of epidermolysis bullosa variants. With these concerns in mind a subcommittee was established by the National Epidermolysis Bullosa Registry to summarize the current literature and to make recommendations as to the best clinical and laboratory criteria for the practical diagnosis and subclassification of patients with inherited epidermolysis bullosa.